PODCAST: US and Australian defence, policy, and politics with Professor Peter J Dean

Joint-capabilities
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By: Robyn Tongol

In this episode of the Defence Connect podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Professor Peter J Dean, PhD SFHEA, foreign policy and defence director at the United States Studies Centre, University of Sydney.

In this episode of the Defence Connect podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Professor Peter J Dean, PhD SFHEA, foreign policy and defence director at the United States Studies Centre, University of Sydney.

Professor Dean was previously first chair of defence studies at the University of Western Australia and the inaugural director of the UWA Defence and Security Institute. He has also authored books and articles on the US-Australian alliance, Australian defence policy, and military operations.

The pair discuss the changing geopolitical relationships in the Indo-Pacific, including outcomes from the recent AUSMIN 2023 meetings between the US and Australia.

They then discuss America’s search for an effective defence partner in the Indo-Pacific, and whether Australia fits the criteria.

They also discuss the AUKUS defence agreement, the release of a recent defence paper by Russian and Chinese research institutes against AUKUS, and the USS North Carolina submarine visiting Perth, Western Australia.

They then discuss the LAND 400 Phase 3 decision announcing that Hanwha Defense Australia has been successful in its bid to provide the Australian Army with a fleet of 129 infantry fighting vehicles.

Finally, the pair take a quick look into the chaotic crystal ball of US politics and discuss the impacts a US election next year will have on the dynamic between the US and Australia.

Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team

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Listen to previous episodes of the Defence Connect podcast:

Episode 11: PODCAST: Aerospace engineering, UAVs and Australia’s next generation of defence talent, with RMIT University’s Marcus Serong
Episode 10: PODCAST: Counter-drone systems, manufacturing and Australia’s defence industry priorities, with Northrop Grumman Australia’s Robert Denney
Episode 9: SPOTLIGHT: Australia’s loitering munitions, sovereign manufacturing and the future of drone warfare, with Innovaero’s Gregory Tunny
Episode 8: PODCAST: Contested logistics and Australia’s defence industry priorities at Land Forces 2026, with Amentum Australia’s Kim Katheklakis
Episode 7: PODCAST: Containerised solutions and human-in-the-loop systems at Land Forces 2026, with IAI’s Maxim Zemer
Episode 6: SPOTLIGHT: Lockheed Martin Australia’s priorities, leadership and life after service, with Jeremy King
Episode 5: THE PROGRESS REPORT: Leadership, mentorship and life at sea – Commander Melanie Lennard on 17 years in the Royal Australian Navy
Episode 4: PODCAST: Australia’s munitions manufacturing push at Land Forces 2026, with NIOA Group’s Robert Nioa
Episode 3: PODCAST: EOS showcases new interceptor and layered drone defence at Land Forces 2026, with Lee Kormany
Episode 2: CONTESTED GROUND: The information advantage – how AI is reshaping influence, competition and power