United States Studies Centre

APPLY NOW for the 2027 Women in the Alliance cohort!

The United States Studies Centre is inviting emerging leaders working across government, industry, policy, technology and academia interested in the Australia-US partnership to join the Women in the Alliance (WITA) network — a year-long professional opportunity designed to foster meaningful connections, sharpen strategic thinking and support career development.

Convened by the United States Studies Centre, WITA members come together each quarter for exclusive, off-the-record roundtables with senior Australian and US leaders and experts. These conversations offer members the opportunity to engage directly with influential voices across the alliance, gain perspectives beyond their own sector and build a deeper understanding of the strategic issues shaping Australia’s future.

WITA is about more than access to a network. We seek to help talented women turn expertise into influence. Through bespoke professional development opportunities, mentoring and tailored engagements, members are supported to strengthen their leadership capabilities, broaden their networks and develop their voice as strategic thinkers.

The Network has connected members with some of the most influential figures in Australian and US security, policy and technology, including former US Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition Cara Abercrombie, former US Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Michèle Flournoy, former Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy, former deputy assistant to the president and NSC senior director for South and Central Asia (2017-2021) Lisa Curtis and former director for Space Policy on the National Security Council staff Audrey Schaffer. Australian-based contributors have included former Director-General of the Australian Signals Directorate Rachel Noble PSM, Commander (Ret.) Jennifer Parker and CEO Development Intelligence Lab Bridi Rice, NYT Correspondent Victoria Kim and American Chamber of Commerce in Australia CEO April Palmerlee, and more.

If you are an emerging leader looking to expand your network, sharpen your strategic perspective and play a greater role in shaping the Australia-US alliance, we want to hear from you!

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 4 SEPTEMBER 2026

https://www.ussc.edu.au/about/programs/women-in-the-alliance

New report released 📘

Advancing trilateral integrated air and missile defence between Australia, Japan and the United States examines opportunities to strengthen practical defence cooperation among three of the Indo-Pacific's closest security partners.

Featuring chapters by Hudson Institute Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for Defense Concepts and Technology Bryan Clark; Sasakawa Peace Foundation Senior Fellow Admiral (Ret.) Tomohisa Takei; and USSC Senior Adviser for Defence Strategy Prof. Peter Dean and edited by USSC Research Fellow Tom Corben, the report contributes to ongoing discussions about enhancing trilateral coordination, resilience and regional security.

Read here: https://www.ussc.edu.au/advancing-trilateral-integrated-air-and-missile-defence-between-australia-japan-and-the-united-states

A town of around 130 people in regional NSW has become the focus of a major US strategic investment.

Why? Because it could host the world's first primary scandium mine, helping diversify supplies of a critical mineral used in aerospace, defence and emerging technologies.

USSC Research Fellow Robert Monterosso explores what this means for Australia, the United States and the future of critical mineral supply chains in this op-ed for The Conversation.

Why the Pentagon is suddenly interested in a tiny town in NSW This report lays out a case and provides a menu of policy options for how the Quad can pursue a collective approach to Indo-Pacific maritime security, with a particular focus on regional deterrence and defence.

Alliances face a defining test.

Will ANZUS and the alliances in the Indo-Pacific be overwhelmed by disorder or stand as a collective breakwater?

Leading experts are coming to Sydney to unpack it.

Learn more about the growing lineup and secure tickets → ussc.edu.au/sisf2026

On 26 August, USSC CEO Dr Michael J. Green will join leaders at the Nikkei Asia Forum Sydney to examine how Australia and Japan can navigate this changing environment — and turn one of the Indo-Pacific’s closest partnerships into greater economic resilience and strategic advantage.

The forum brings together business leaders, policymakers and experts to explore the forces shaping the next phase of Australia–Japan cooperation.

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Learn more and register to attend online →

NIKKEI ASIA FORUM SYDNEY 2026 Japan–Australia Partnership For Shared Prosperity: Powering The Next Growth Cycle

The strategic landscape is shifting quickly. The opportunity to examine it with some of its most experienced practitioners should not be missed. ussc.edu.au/sisf2026

Early bird pricing for the 2026 Sydney International Strategy Forum ends tomorrow.

On 23 September, senior figures from government, diplomacy, defence, academia and industry will convene in Sydney to assess the future of ANZUS, the trajectory of American power, China’s intentions towards Taiwan, the transatlantic rift and the weaponisation of economic interdependence.

Secure your place before early bird pricing ends on 31 July →
ussc.edu.au/sisf2026

The Sydney International Strategy Forum returns this September. ussc.edu.au/sisf2026

Join leading experts from the United States, Australia and across the Indo-Pacific to analyse, debate and interpret global dynamics in real time — and gain insight into the strategic forces shaping our region and the world.

From the Iran War to energy markets and Chinese ballistic missile tests in the Pacific, 2026 has been a year marked by disruption and disorder.

Against this backdrop, this year’s theme, “Alliances in an age of disorder,” will examine whether ANZUS and the Indo-Pacific alliance network can continue to provide stability amid growing geopolitical uncertainty.

Hear from leaders across government, diplomacy, defence, academia and industry as they explore questions surrounding American power, Chinese intentions towards Taiwan, economic security, the future of the Indo-Pacific and more.

Keep an eye out as more speakers are announced over the coming weeks.

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Early bird ticket pricing closes 31 July.

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Learn more and secure tickets → ussc.edu.au/sisf2026

Prime Minister Albanese’s visit to Fiji underscores Australia’s continued focus on the Pacific at a time of intensifying strategic competition.

But as Kathryn Paik argues, long-term influence in the region will depend on more than sustained presence — it requires consistent, broad-based engagement grounded in resilience.

Her latest commentary for the Centre explores why moving beyond a narrow security focus may be key to building durable partnerships in the Pacific.

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Read her commentary → https://www.ussc.edu.au/bolstering-pacific-resilience-a-new-paradigm-for-engagement-by-us-allies-and-partners