US ambassador shift, Abrams evolution and rupture of the global order

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, the entire team of Stephen Kuper, Robert Dougherty and Bethany Alvaro examines current news surrounding Australia's changing strategic environment: from diplomacy and armoured warfare to intelligence capability to the future of the rules-based global order. The episode opens with the appointment of Greg Moriarty as Australia's next ambassador to the United States. The former defence secretary has drawn broad bipartisan support, while opinions differ on the impact of outgoing Australian ambassador to US and former prime minister Kevin Rudd. Attention then turns to the unveiling of the M1E3 Abrams prototype, signalling the US Army's next step in main battle tank evolution and a definitive link to the Australian defence industry. The discussion shifts to the recent speech from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who has publicly questioned the very existence of a post-war rules-based order. The team also deliberates on the demographic and economic trends rapidly shifting influence towards populous regional states such as Indonesia and India, raising the prospect that Australia may soon face strategic pressure from neighbours it once viewed as junior partners. Next, UK's launch of a fast-tracked undergraduate degree in drone engineering is highlighted as a response to lessons from Ukraine, while the team questions whether Australia risks falling behind. The episode concludes with final confirmation that the Royal Australian Air Force has received its first MC-55A Peregrine intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and electronic warfare aircraft. Enjoy the podcast The Defence Connect team

In this episode of the Contested Ground Podcast, hosts Phil Tarrant, Major General (Ret'd) Dr Marcus Thompson, and Steve Kuper discuss the fallout from the US' arrest of Nicolas Maduro, America's claims to Greenland, and the potential for regime change in Iran. The trio unpack the success and complexities of the US' raid in Venezuela and the intricacies surrounding the mission, the fallout of the "Donroe Doctrine" in action, and its relations intersecting with the 2025 US National Security Strategy's emphasis on the western hemisphere. They also discuss the mounting US pressure over Greenland and what is driving US interest in the island nation, which presents a significant risk of rupturing NATO at a time of mounting geopolitical upheaval. Finally, they also discuss the US military build-up surrounding Iran and the potential for decapitation strikes against the Iranian regime, seemingly backed by the ousted shah and implications for broader global security.

In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, host Robert Dougherty is joined by Petar Bielovich, general manager of data and analytics at Atturra, to discuss the evolving role of preparedness, decision intelligence, and sovereign capability within Australia's national security strategy. As part of this in-depth conversation, the pair discuss a range of subjects, including: The growing importance of preparedness in Australian defence strategy and how it differs from traditional concepts of readiness. How data analytics and artificial intelligence can deliver a decision advantage across Defence and improve preparedness outcomes. The role of industry in building national resilience, sovereign capability, and supporting the total workforce system. The impact of reducing reliance on consultants and contractors, and finding the right balance to build sustainable capability. How recent Defence reforms, consolidation efforts and delivery agencies may provide clearer signals and improved engagement for industry. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect Spotlight team

This week on Cyber Uncut, David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft are still talking about Grok's nudity woes, OpenAI's turn to ads, the potential compromise of a major rack hardware maker, and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner's calls for more government transparency. The pair kick things off once again with Grok and its struggles in producing sexual abuse material and OpenAI's move to introduce ads into ChatGPT. In cyber security news, the Everest ransomware group claims to have stolen vital hardware data from ASRock Rack, with the potential for some serious downstream impacts and further cyber attacks. Plus, hackers who have been named and in court, and 2025 in cryptocurrency crime. And finally, some good news – search engine DuckDuckGo says NO to AI, and the OAIC looks to boost government transparency around automated decision making. Enjoy, The Cyber Uncut team

Imagine being told at the start of your aviation career that women simply don't fly jets. Decades later, Sue-anne Munckton is the CEO of the Civil Aviation Academy Australasia and director/founder of Sky Careers and a powerhouse advocate for Australia's aviation future. In this episode, Tash Taylor sits down with the recent Australian Aviation Awards Excellence Award winner to discuss her 35-year journey from student pilot to industry leader. Sue-anne reveals why we must teach children by age 10 to break down career barriers and shape their sphere of influence. Her company, Sky Careers, is opening doors to 30,000+ industry roles – from drone-piloted "SnotBots" that collect whale snot to maritime logistics. The Progress Report. New voices. Real stories. Big shifts. Enjoy the podcast, The Progress Report team

In this episode of the Contested Ground Podcast, hosts Phil Tarrant, Major General (Ret'd) Dr Marcus Thompson, and Steve Kuper discuss the Australian government's legislative efforts to combat anti-Semitism, hatred, and violent extremism in Australia. The trio unpack the legislative proposal and political considerations that have shaped the Albanese government's Combating Anti-Semitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026, developed in the aftermath of the terrorist shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach, Sydney, which resulted in at least 15 deaths and over 40 injuries on 14 December 2025. The trio also discuss the fine line between balancing national security, freedom, protesting and religious liberties as a democracy and the different requests identified by the opposition, Greens and other minor parties ahead of the debate. Enjoy the podcast, The Contested Ground Team

This week, David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft are joined by HR Leader's Carlos Tse to talk about AI in the workplace. We chat about Grok's ongoing issues with sexually abusive content, the Pentagon's move to embrace the platform regardless, and a hack that has compromised the data of every school in Victoria. The podcast kicks off with a discussion on a new partnership between the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and Microsoft to keep AI in the workplace human-centric, and the US Department of Defence betting hard on Grok to increase its warfighting capacity. In cyber security news, an unknown threat actor has compromised Victoria's Department of Education, impacting every school in the state. Hollingworth and Croft talk about the Everest hacking group's Big Game Hunting tactics and its targeting of a pair of major carmakers. The pair wrap things up with a discussion of Bandcamp's move to ban AI from its platform, and talk about this year's Australian Cyber Awards – nominations are now open, so get yours in! Enjoy, The Cyber Uncut team

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Robert Dougherty is joined by Cesar Alvarez, lecturer at Charles Sturt University on terrorism and security studies, to unpack the security, geopolitical and cartel criminal dynamics surrounding recent US military operations in Venezuela. Alvarez worked for Canberra-based national security think tank Australian Strategic Policy Institute and provided technical advice to the Terrorism Prevention Branch of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. He has also served as a consultant and adviser to the Counter-Narcotics Directorate and the Doctrine and Planning Office of the National Police of Colombia. He holds a master of policing, intelligence and counter-terrorism with a degree of master of international security studies from Macquarie University. He also holds a bachelor's degree of government and international relations from Externado University of Colombia. Alvarez is the founder and director of public diplomacy organisation Australia-Colombia Dialogue. During the podcast, the pair discuss a range of topics, including: An overview of Venezuela's evolution into a key hub for transnational organised crime and drug trafficking. The role of the Cartel de los Soles and the deep entanglement between criminal networks and the Venezuelan state. Historical shifts in Latin America's criminal landscape following the fall of the Medellín Cartel, led by Pablo Escobar, and the Cali Cartel, run by the Rodríguez Orejuela brothers. The impact of Colombian coca cultivation, peace processes with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, and unintended consequences of counter-narcotics policy. The strategic, psychological and geopolitical implications of the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Likely internal power struggles within criminal organisations following Maduro's removal. The future of drug trafficking routes across Colombia, Venezuela and global markets, including Europe and Australia. Whether US actions in Venezuela set a precedent for other authoritarian leaders in Latin America. The potential implications for countries such as Cuba, Nicaragua and Colombia amid shifting regional politics. How the most recent changes in US policy may reshape Latin American security dynamics in the coming years. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, Daniel Croft and Bethany Alvaro are joined by Australian Aviation's Jake Nelson to discuss AI, before talking about local hacks, NSW Health, and Trump alluding to the use of cyber warfare in Venezuela. Croft, Alvaro, and Nelson first discuss Qantas and its shift towards AI implementation in 2026. The trio then discuss Grok and the dangers of the new "edit image" button that has led to the creation of deepfake child sexual abuse material. Croft and Alvaro then discuss the Australian band Royel Otis and a failed request by the guitarist to obtain the anonymous details of users he said were defaming him. Finally, the two discuss Trump and his hinting that cyber warfare may have been used in the strikes on Venezuela to shut off the lights and create pathways in for US forces. Enjoy the episode, The Cyber Uncut team

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Robert Dougherty is joined by Salvatore R Mercogliano PhD, Campbell University professor of history in North Carolina and What's Going on With Shipping host, as they discuss US operations in Venezuela, the capture of leader Nicolás Maduro and international maritime implications for "dark fleet" shipping. Mercogliano, a former merchant mariner, holds degrees in military and naval history, maritime history and nautical archaeology, and marine transportation. He previously authored the 2017 book Fourth arm of defense: Sealift and maritime logistics in the Vietnam War. The pair discuss a range of topics, including: An overview of "dark fleet" or "shadow ships" operating outside the rule of law to avoid international sanctions. Implications on global shipping following US operations and the capture of commercial shipping vessels near Venezuela. Historical precedent for the capture of "dark fleet" ships as well as the flight of oil tankers and commercial maritime vessels from Venezuela after US military operations. "Dark fleet" ships operating in other regions, such as the Indo-Pacific, where trade abuses and maritime smuggling activities have previously been linked to North Korea and other actors. Advances being made in military technology mounted on commercial shipping, such as containerised missile systems, containerised drone systems and close-in support weapon systems. The value of these systems in a wartime or blockade settings, with emphasis on the possible invasion of Taiwan by the People's Liberation Army Navy in the South China Sea. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team