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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

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All Episodes

82:08

Australia’s Political Reset

The Focus ·

2026/03/18

George Mamalis joins us for a deep dive into South Australia, political power, and the future of the Australian system. Australia’s political landscape is shifting — and not just in South Australia.In this episode of The Focus, we explore the deeper forces reshaping politics across the country. Dr. John Bruni sits down with George-Alexander Mamalis — political commentator and host of The Adelaide Set — for a wide-ranging discussion on the changing nature of Australian

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71:09

World War E

The Focus ·

2026/03/13

Two wars are raging in the world right now: Ukraine and Iran. Both are, at their core, energy wars. Modern economies depend on cheap and reliable supplies of oil and gas. But what happens when war disrupts access to energy in not just one, but two of the world’s most critical regions at the same time? The Ukraine war has already reshaped Europe’s energy landscape. Now escalating conflict involving Iran is placing the wider Middle East — the heart of the global energy system —

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32:52

NATO After 5 Years of the Russia-Ukraine War.

The Focus ·

2026/03/05

As Russia’s war in Ukraine grinds into its fifth year, the geopolitical map is shifting in real time.In this episode of The Focus, Dr. John Bruni speaks with Lt. Gen. (ret.) Ben Hodges, former Commanding General of U.S. Army Europe, about the war’s trajectory, the future of NATO, and the global ripple effects now shaping the international order.Recorded before the outbreak of U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iran, this conversation captures the strategic debate at a critical moment —

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67:44

ADF: Boutique Capability or Credible Deterrence?

The Focus ·

2026/02/26

🎙️ Is Australia’s Defence Capability Strong — or Structurally Vulnerable? Australia talks constantly about defence capability. But if we can’t build, sustain, and properly crew our own force structure — are we truly sovereign?In this episode of The Focus, Dr John Bruni speaks with Mel Pikos from Talking Tactics about the real state of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the country’s defence industry base.This is not a procurement discussion. It’s a

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110:53

India in the Era of Pax Trumpicana

The Focus ·

2026/02/20

Is India still a strategic partner of the United States — or is it becoming an independent pole in a rapidly shifting global order?In this high-level panel discussion, Dr. John Bruni is joined by Lt. General Ravi Shankar (Retd.), former Director General of Artillery of the Indian Army, and Professor Salvatore Babones, political economist at the University of Sydney, to examine India’s evolving role in global geopolitics. Show Notes Guests Lt. General Ravi Shankar (Retd.) is the former

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52:40

The Minnesota Moment

The Focus ·

2026/01/29

In our second episode for 2026, John is joined by returning guest Professor Scott Lucas to talk about the recent tragic events in the U.S. state of Minnesota. Show Notes: Episode Description From Minneapolis to Washington, D.C., Minnesota has become the epicentre of seismic political conflict — from mass protests to intense debates over immigration enforcement, federal power, and public accountability. We explore how the state’s recent upheavals reflect broader shifts in U.S. political

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117:21

Pax Trumpicana

The Focus ·

2026/01/22

The first episode of The Focus for 2026 opens with a wide-ranging and hard-edged conversation with political theorist and commentator Roy Casagranda.As global politics enters a period of heightened uncertainty, Dr Bruni and Casagranda examine the strategic, political, and moral pressures shaping the international system — from the Americas to Europe and the Middle East. The discussion explores the return of transactional politics, the limits of moral clarity in foreign policy, and how domestic

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106:58

Britain in Crisis

The Focus ·

2025/11/28

Britain enters 2025 facing economic strain, strategic uncertainty, and intensifying global competition. In this hard-hitting year-end special, Dr John Bruni sits down with former Royal Navy submariner and intelligence specialistCDRE Pat Tyrrell OBE (Ret.), and investigative journalistPete Warren, for an unfiltered assessment of the UK’s political and strategic direction. We break down theBritish Budget, stalled growth, defence underfunding, and the question of whether the UK can still project

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104:35

The Geopolitics of Climate Change

The Focus ·

2025/11/20

Is the climate debate more complex than we’re being told? In this episode ofThe Focus, Dr John Bruni sits down with Professor Ian Plimer — geologist, author, and one of the most contested voices in Australia’s climate conversation. Plimer has spent decades arguing that natural geological and planetary processes play a larger role in climate variability than many policymakers acknowledge.In this extended interview, we explore his arguments, test the evidence, and examine how

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107:44

Can the West Still Lead?

The Focus ·

2025/11/13

Inthis episode ofThe Focus, Dr. John Bruni speaks with leading strategistProfessor Andrew A. Michtaabout whether the West is in decline or on the cusp of renewal, exploring the fractures inside the transatlantic alliance, America’s fading primacy, Europe’s struggle for strategic agency, China’s growing economic fragility, and the deeper civilisational crisis undermining Western confidence. Drawing on Michta’s recentRealClearDefense essays, we discuss Europe’s defence

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106:15

EU Rising? Defence, Ukraine & Populism

The Focus ·

2025/11/08

🇪🇺Is Europe finally rising as a defence power?As the war in Ukraine grinds on and populist politics reshape Europe, the EU faces a historic test: defend the continent, support Kyiv, and hold the line against Moscow — while staying united.In this episode, Dr John Bruni speaks with EU analystPiotr Maciej Kaczyńskion Europe's defence transformation, Poland’s upcoming EU Presidency, and the populist forces reshaping Europe's future. 🔍⚔️ 👉 Subscribe for more global strategy &

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63:30

SITREP | Tracking a World in Flux

The Focus ·

2025/10/30

In this episode of The Focus, Dr John Bruni speaks with CTO of NY-based company Artorias, Shane Curtis, about how truth is shaped, challenged, and weaponised in today’s information age and how Artorias' premium product, SITREP, is democratising Open Source Intelligence. From the algorithms driving attention to the blurred line between journalism and influence operations, this conversation explores how digital ecosystems are transforming modern strategy and public perception. Glossary of terms:

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100:14

Ceasefire Politics | What’s Next?

The Focus ·

2025/10/23

What happens when ceasefire becomes status quo?In this episode ofThe Focus, John Bruni interviews Israeli scholar Dr Ori Goldberg on the fragile Gaza truce, Israel’s surveillance corridors, and the internal power-struggles that could spark a new war. Expect hard questions, blunt truth, and no easy answers. Show Notes: X: @ori_goldberg Bluesky: @origoldberg.bsky.social Ori’s Top Publications: Articles “The real reason Israel attacked Iran”,Al Jazeera,15 June 2025 “Why

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126:21

Trump 47 | Power without Restraint

The Focus ·

2025/10/09

Twoyears after the October 7 attacks, the world remains caught between memory and escalation.In this gripping episode, Dr John Bruni sits down with political theoristDr Roy Casagrandato unpack the transformation of American power underTrump 47 — from Quantico’s “warrior ethos” and the rebranding of the Pentagon as the Department of War, to the U.S. government shutdown and the deepening global fallout from Gaza to Moscow. Show Notes: 🔗Connect with RoyX: @RoyCasagranda

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102:27

India’s Global Gamble

The Focus ·

2025/10/03

India is no longer a silent player in world politics. As the U.S. courts New Delhi, Russia relies on Indian markets, China looms across the border, and Pakistan remains a constant rival, India stands at the centre of global geopolitics. In this episode ofThe Focus, Dr. John Bruni speaks withProfessor Salvatore Babones(University of Sydney) about India’s bold gamble on its future. Will New Delhi define the Indo-Pacific century—or be defined by it? Show Notes 🔗 Contact Salvatore:

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70:06

Indo-Pacific Fault Lines

The Focus ·

2025/09/25

We sit down withYuki Tatsumito explore foreign policy in theIndo-Pacific. From theUS-Japan allianceto ties withAustralia, India, and the Quad, we unpack how regional countries and the US navigate today’s shifting fault lines. We also examine the legacy ofShinzo Abe—including his reputation as the “Trump whisperer”—and how it has shaped the West’s foreign policy under Trump 47. Show Notes: Contact Yuki IIPShttps://indopacificsecurity.org/team-member/yuki-tatsumi/

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73:00

India’s Strategic Tightrope

The Focus ·

2025/09/18

India is rising — but what does that mean on the frontlines? 🇮🇳 In this episode ofThe Focus, Dr. John Bruni speaks withLt. Gen. Ravi Shankar (Retd.), former Director General of Artillery and the bold voice behindThe Gunner’s Shot. Unapologetic and unfiltered. This is India’s rise told from the inside. Show Notes Connect with Ravi The Gunners Shot YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@gunnersshot Website:https://gunnersshot.com/

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48:14

Beyond Bali | Australia-Indonesia Relations

The Focus ·

2025/09/12

Australia and Indonesia are tied together by geography — but how well do we really understand each other? Despite being close neighbours, relations between Canberra and Jakarta are often uneasy, marked by cooperation, competition, and occasional mistrust. In this episode ofThe Focus, Dr.Gatra Priyandita(Australian Strategic Policy Institute) joins Dr.John Brunito unpack one of the most important — yet least understood — relationships in our region. From trade, migration, and

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67:43

Who Speaks for Earth?

The Focus ·

2025/09/02

What if the interstellar comet3I/ATLASwasn’t natural — butalien technology? In this special episode ofThe Focus, Dr.John Brunispeaks with Harvard astrophysicistProf. Avi Loebabout theJames Webb Space Telescope’s new imagesand asks the ultimate question: Who speaks for Earth if the universe makes contact? What are the geopolitical implications? Show Notes: Contact Avi: Medium-https://medium.com/me/following-feed/writers/adb0e108a94b X - @GalileoProject1 Instagram

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71:24

Summits of Uncertainty | Putin, Trump & Europe

The Focus ·

2025/08/29

Europe stands on shaky ground. With Trump floating “peace plans” for Ukraine, Putin pressing his advantage, and NATO allies second-guessing their future, uncertainty is the only constant. In this episode ofThe Focus Podcast, Dr. John Bruni speaks with Commander Anders Puck Nielsen of the Royal Danish Navy — one of Europe’s sharpest military analysts. Show Notes: Connect with Anders LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/anderspucknielsen/ Bluesky: @anderspucknielsen.dkHis

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142 results

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