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PODCAST

The Focus

Auscast Network

The Focusis the flagship current affairs podcast ofSAGE International, an independent, Adelaide-based geopolitical think tank. Hosted byDr. John Bruni—a veteran geopolitical commentator with over 24 years in the Australian media—The Focusbrings a critical edge to global affairs. John"s expertise is built on decades of experience, including time with theRoyal United Services Institute of Australia, work as a university lecturer, senatorial foreign affairs adviser, analyst forJane’s

society & culture philosophy

All Episodes

54:00

Repressive AI?

The Focus ·

2023/10/11

🧠 In this thought-provoking conversation, Steven Feldstein takes us on a captivating exploration of the dark underbelly of AI, where the lines between technology and tyranny blur. He unveils the unsettling truth about how repressive regimes are weaponizing AI to surveil, control, and silence dissent. 😨🔍 Show Notes 📖 In this episode, we journey into the world of Repressive AI with none other than Steven Feldstein, the author of "The Rise of Digital Repression: How Technology is Reshaping Power,

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57:08

U.S. Struggles to Restrain North Korea

The Focus ·

2023/09/26

🎉 Get ready to dive deep into the thrilling world of international relations! 🌍 In this electrifying episode, we've got the brilliant and dynamic Lauren Sukin, a young scholar hailing from the prestigious London School of Economics. 🎓 Hold on tight, folks, because this Assistant Professor of International Relations is about to take us on a wild ride! Buckle up for an explosive conversation that zeroes in on one of the most pressing global concerns: North Korea. 🚀 Lauren's expertise in nuclear

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78:10

Chilean Coup: 50 Years On

The Focus ·

2023/09/19

Today, we have two incredible guests joining us for a deep dive into this pivotal moment in history. Dr. Rodrigo Acuña and Prof. Clinton Fernandes are here to unravel the untold stories, enduring impacts, and the resilient spirit of Chile in the five decades since the historic coup. So, buckle up as we journey through time and uncover the layers of history, right here on The Focus. Show Notes:For those interested in getting hold of that book Clinton mentioned by author Nicolas Jose, its called The

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63:38

Sneaky War: Defeating an Adversary Through Cunning

The Focus ·

2023/08/27

Today we are joined once again by Dr. Sean McFate in part two of our exploration of the evolution of warfare in the 21st Century. Here we focus on Sneaky War, something Sean raised the last time he was on with us. Oh, and Sean also shares his insights regarding the alleged assassination of Wagner Boss Yevgeny Prigozhin & founder Dmitri Utkin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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66:11

Russia v Ukraine: The Problems & Prospects for Victory

The Focus ·

2023/08/20

In this episode John is joined by former commanding general of the U.S. Army in Europe, Lt. Gen Ben Hodges (Ret’d) where they have an honest discussion on the Ukrainian Counter-Offensive, the state of Western and Russian defence manufacture and much more besides. Join us for this fascinating and deeply engaging interview, only on SAGE International’s The Focus!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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49:56

Modern War: New Wine in Old Bottles?

The Focus ·

2023/08/20

In this episode John speaks with prominent American strategist Dr. Sean McFate on the increasing use of mercenaries on the modern battlefield. Sean and John discuss mercenaries, the Wagner Group, the fetishisation of modern military technology and nuclear deterrence. Sean says, we are going back to a very old form of war fighting that predates the modern international order. Sean also observes that we are entering an era of 'durable disorder,' another aspect of human affairs that predates what we

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49:11

In Search of Non-Human Intelligence (NHI): The Silver...

The Focus ·

2023/07/16

In this episode, we speak once again to Harvard Professor Avi Loeb. This time we talk about his recent Silver Star Expedition. What did he find off the coast of Manus Island (Papua New Guinea)? How will this affect our understanding of the interstellar medium, and if the fragments of IM1 are of ‘intelligent manufacture’, how will this change our view of ourselves in the universe? Join us on a fascinating journey of discovery! For those of you who would like to watch ‘Our Future In Space: the

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77:01

Haiti’s Mafia State

The Focus ·

2023/07/13

In this episode, we are joined by Haitian-born writer and journalist Monique Clesca to speak about the tragic situation of her home country - the Republic of Haiti. Riven by endemic corruption, gang violence, foreigners backing anti-democratic forces and hit by natural calamities, is there any hope for this country? Join us to find out.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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55:28

The Prigozhin Gambit, Putin's Checkmate? Survival...

The Focus ·

2023/06/29

In this episode of The Focus Raw, we are pleased to have British-based YouTuber, Philospher and keen observer of Russian politics - Vlad Vexler with us. Vlad gives his views on the Prigozhin Mutiny and his analysis of the main characters in what appears to be high-order political drama in Moscow since the events of 23rd June. This is one episode you don't want to miss! Vlad's YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@VladVexlerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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61:21

A Friend in Greed is a Friend Indeed? China & the...

The Focus ·

2023/06/27

In this episode John speaks with Edith Cowan University lecturer in international business, Dr. Naoise McDonagh on the phenomenon of ‘friend-shoring’. We delve deep into what this means for the People’s Republic of China, the Chinese Communist Party and the world at large. The answers are…complicated, and not what you may expect.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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55:31

Putting 'the Woo' into UAP: The Peculiar Case of...

The Focus ·

2023/06/14

In this episode, we’re joined by US-based international debunker, Mick West where we discuss the recent claims made by former US intelligence officer, David Grusch, on the US government hiding a UFO/UAP crash retrieval program. We’ve dealt in some seriously interesting topics, but this one takes the cake! Show Notes: For more about the centrality of Skin Walker Ranch to the current UFO/UAP narrative see Steven Greenstreet’s take-down of the place on his YouTube series on the following links: Part 1

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30:28

Professional Polarisers: The Case of Tucker Carlson

The Focus ·

2023/05/30

Today we’re joined from the U.S. by Jeremy Barr. Jeremy is the Washington Post’s news media reporter and he’ll be giving us a run-down on the chaos that has recently struck U.S. media giant Fox News, part of the stables of international media empire builder, Adelaide’s own, Rupert Murdoch.Support the show: https://www.sageinternational.org.au/strategikon-merch/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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34:29

The Iraq War 20 years on

The Focus ·

2023/04/24

It’s been twenty years since the March 2003 Iraq War. The country is still unstable. The U.S. has by and large forgotten about the war and probably will only will re-engage with Iraq if radical group ISIS makes a major comeback. Iraqis are now left to themselves to pick up the pieces from years of international isolation, foreign military intervention and civil war. Was the 2003 Iraq War worth the effort? Did a neutered Saddam really pose a danger to the international order in the Middle East? Join

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79:30

The Future of Chatbots: A Closer Look with Peter Warren

The Focus ·

2023/04/04

In this episode of The Focus, host John Bruni speaks with British technology and investigative journalist Peter Warren about the impact of chatbots and artificial intelligence on society. They delve into the potential benefits and pitfalls of this rapidly-evolving technology, including its impact on employment, biases and privacy concerns, and the need for ethical and responsible development. Peter Warren provides insights into the hyperbole surrounding chatbots and whether general AI is a reality

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36:53

Blowing in the Wind: Spy Balloons & UAPs

The Focus ·

2023/02/28

In Season 3, Episode 3, John is joined by professional sceptic & science writer Mick West to talk about the recent Chinese spy balloon shoot-down by the US Air Force…and the shoot down of those 'other things'. Were they also balloons? Were they Chinese? Or were they from ‘out of this world’? Join John and Mick as they go through what the evidence has to say about spy balloons, UAPs generally and the reliability of onboard cockpit data and pilot identification. Not all is as straight forward as

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43:19

For Love of Money: Islam’s Uyghur Crucible in Western...

The Focus ·

2023/02/15

In this episode we follow up an old story that we reported back when we were a radio show on Radio Adelaide. It’s arguably one of the world’s most difficult issues to grapple with and it comes down to what we in the West value most, money or morality. In the neoliberal age we live in, often also called a post-ideological age, money and profit are the glues that keep societies together. So long as we all value profit, we can all get along. But can we? If we sell out to the great 'monetary god’, are

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46:29

Drones from the biology of insects

The Focus ·

2023/01/27

In this our first episode of The Focus for 2023, we look at some fascinating developments in drone technology taking place here in South Australia, at Flinders University. Since the Russia-Ukraine War, drones have been receiving a lot of attention as the 21st Century’s primary weapons/surveillance platforms. But just imagine if we can improve in their capabilities by borrowing from the biology of insects, giving drones ‘instinctive’ sensors, thereby allowing them to move seamlessly in the natural

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79:10

The Changing Fortunes of War: The Russia-Ukraine War...

The Focus ·

2022/12/04

Back in April of this year, we were lucky to have spoken with the University of Portsmouth’s Dr. Frank Ledwidge on the operational aspects of the Russia-Ukraine War. Now, 9 months after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, we speak with Frank again to see how changes on the battlefield have changed the scale and nature of the Russian ’Special Military Operation’. Are we close to determining a winner? Can the Ukrainians defeat the Russians? Will there be a peace settlement before things spiral out of

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54:13

The Fate of War’s Innocents

The Focus ·

2022/11/11

It is often said that the casualties in war are the innocents. In the Russia-Ukraine War, probably the most innocent of victims are disabled children. Unable to flee the fighting on their own accord, they are dependent on their parents, their families, the state and NGOs to get them out of harm’s way. But sometimes, sadly, logistically and organisationally, this is an impossible task. To discuss this less reported element of the Russia-Ukraine War, from Ukraine, we are joined by Halyna Kurylo

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89:33

The Challenges of Modern Policing

The Focus ·

2022/11/04

Policing in the 21st Century is no easy thing. There’s the neoliberal impulse to do more with less people and resources. There’s the problem of bureaucratic and legal red tape which never seems to bring timely justice and security to the community and of course there’s the problem of 21st Century technology where crime has been digitised and moved into cyberspace, giving tech savvy criminals the edge over police agencies all over the world. Join John as he speaks with Director of Strategic Solutions

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134 results

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