The Focus

Auscast Network
  • 0.0 (0)
  • PHILOSOPHY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Focus is the flagship current affairs podcast of SAGE International, an independent, Adelaide-based geopolitical  think tank. Hosted by Dr. John Bruni—a veteran geopolitical commentator with over 24 years in the Australian media—The Focus brings a critical edge to global affairs. John's expertise is built on decades of experience, including time with the Royal United Services Institute of Australia, work as a university lecturer, senatorial foreign affairs adviser, analyst for Jane’s Intelligence Review, and Gulf-based military analyst. Produced by Neil Smart, The Focus cuts through the noise of biased media to deliver sharp, informed insights into the major issues shaping Australia and the world. In an age of global disruption and complexity, knowing which questions to ask is more vital than ever.

  1. 5D AGO

    NATO After 5 Years of the Russia-Ukraine War.

    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 — when tensions were already rising and the world stood on the edge of a wider conflict. The insights remain deeply relevant to understanding what comes next.Whether the conflict ends through negotiation, exhaustion, or escalation, one thing is clear: Ukraine has become the central strategic battleground shaping the 21st-century security order.Show Notes:Topics Discussed• Russia’s ability to sustain its war effort in Ukraine after five years of fighting
• Whether Moscow still possesses a coherent strategy or is now fighting a war of attrition
• The latest realities on the Ukrainian battlefield, including drones, long-range strike systems, and evolving tactics
• Europe’s growing role in supporting Ukraine and what this means for the future of NATO and the transatlantic alliance
• Insights from the Munich Security Conference and the strategic mood among Western policymakers
• Russia’s shadow fleet and the ongoing effort to disrupt sanctions evasion
• The broader geopolitical landscape involving Iran, China, and shifting global power dynamics
• The strategic importance of Greenland and the Arctic in future great-power competition Key QuestionIs NATO weakening without dominant U.S. leadership — or evolving into a more balanced alliance where Europe carries greater strategic responsibility? GuestLt. Gen. (ret.) Ben Hodges
Former Commanding General, U.S. Army Europe
Senior strategic analyst on European security and NATO. HostDr. John Bruni
Founder & CEO, SAGE International
Host of The Focus Podcast About The FocusThe Focus Podcast brings together leading thinkers in geopolitics, defence, and international security to explore the forces shaping the global strategic environment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    33 min

  2. FEB 26

    ADF: Boutique Capability or Credible Deterrence?

    🎙️ 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 sovereignty discussion. Show Notes: Guest: Mel Pikos (Talking Tactics)
Host: Dr John Bruni Australia talks constantly about defence capability — new platforms, AUKUS, procurement announcements. But are we building sovereign capacity — or managing structural dependence? In this episode, Dr John Bruni speaks with Mel Pikos from Talking Tactics about the real state of the ADF and Australia’s defence industry base. We examine: • Is defence industry effectively a “fourth arm” of the ADF?
• Are Australian SMEs central to innovation — or sidelined by foreign primes?
• Does supply chain dependence create strategic vulnerability?
• Is recruitment weakness creating hollow force risk across Navy, Army and Air Force?
 • Can capability be strengthened without introducing national service?This conversation moves beyond procurement headlines to the deeper issue of national resilience.Sovereignty isn’t announced. It’s built. You can watch Mel’s excellent podcast Talking Tactics here: https://www.youtube.com/@MelPikos     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 8m

  3. FEB 20

    India in the Era of Pax Trumpicana

    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 Director General of Artillery of the Indian Army and currently serves as Professor of Practice in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at IIT Madras. With a distinguished military career spanning decades, he is a respected commentator on India’s defence posture, China–India dynamics, Pakistan, and broader strategic affairs. The Gunner’s Shot (YouTube Channel): https://www.youtube.com/@gunnersshot  General Shankar regularly publishes strategic and military analyses through his channel. Professor Salvatore Babones is a Political Economist and Globalisation Scholar at the University of Sydney. His work focuses on great-power competition, global inequality, and the structural dynamics shaping U.S.–China–India relations. Recent Books by Salvatore Babones: The Global Political Economy of the Indo-Pacific (2024)American Tianxia: Chinese Money, American Power, and the End of History (2023)The New Authoritarianism: Trump, Populism, and the Tyranny of Experts (2022) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 51m

  4. JAN 29

    The Minnesota Moment

    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 life, and what they reveal about leadership, legitimacy, and the social fabric of American civic life. About the Guest Scott Lucas is Professor of International Politics at the Clinton Institute, University College Dublin. He is the founder and editor-in-chief of EA WorldView, a leading site for global political analysis, and a frequent commentator on major international TV and radio outlets. EA WorldView – https://eaworldview.com/ UCD Clinton Institute – https://www.ucdclinton.ie/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    53 min

  5. JAN 22

    Pax Trumpicana

    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 political shifts are reshaping global decision-making. This episode sets the tone for The Focus in 2026: analytical, unsentimental, and grounded in strategic reality. Topics Covered Transactionalism, power, and the erosion of norms in international affairsVenezuela, energy politics, and strategic leverageEurope’s strategic unease and leadership fatiguePublic opinion, populism, and the changing voter landscapeWhat 2026 reveals about the durability — or fragility — of the global order  Why This Episode Matters As governments grapple with overlapping crises — political, economic, and security-related — this conversation cuts through surface-level narratives to examine how power is actually being exercised, justified, and contested.For policymakers, analysts, and engaged citizens alike, this episode offers a sobering but necessary assessment of where the world is heading. About the Guest Roy Casagranda is a political theorist and commentator specialising in political philosophy, leadership, and the intersection of power and morality in modern politics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 57m

  6. 11/28/2025

    Britain in Crisis

    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 specialist CDRE Pat Tyrrell OBE (Ret.), and investigative journalist Pete Warren, for an unfiltered assessment of the UK’s political and strategic direction. We break down the British Budget, stalled growth, defence underfunding, and the question of whether the UK can still project credible power. We explore Britain’s shifting foreign policy, the war in Ukraine, Russian hybrid provocations, cyber intrusions, and the fragility of European security. The panel also examines Keir Starmer’s political survival, public fatigue, the rise of the Reform Party, and what Britain must do to avoid strategic drift in 2025. If you care about the UK’s future — its defence, diplomacy, politics and global role — this is your must-watch end-of-year episode. Show Notes: Contact Chris X: @chrismullinexmp Website: https://www.chrismullinexmp.com/  Books by Chris Mullin - 1982 A Very British Coup 1986, Error of Judgement 2009, A View from the Foothills 2010, Decline & Fall 2011, A Walk-On Part 2016, Hinterland 2019, The Friends of Harry Perkins 2023, Didn’t You Used to be Chris Mullin?  Contact Pat LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/patrick-tyrrell-3479b6 Articles by Pat - AUKUS: A Tale of Politics, Strategy, and Submarines — published 04 Aug 2022, Crash-Diving into Australia’s Submarine Dilemma — published 13 Jul 2022, Adrift and Rudderless – The Sad Story of SS United Kingdom, Monty Python Politics: A Reflection on the Tumultuous Reign of PM Liz Truss, Nov. 2022, Rip van Winkle and the Age of Complacency, Aug. 2022, A Peace that Dares Not Speak its Name — a co-authored piece (with Dr. John Bruni) June 2022 Bruni, John; Jain, Purnendra; Tyrrell, Patrick J. “Why Australia, the UK and Japan need closer security cooperation.” SAGE International Australia Strategic Concept Paper, 12 August 2020. Bruni, John; Jain, Purnendra; Tyrrell, Patrick J. “A New Strategic Trilateral of the UK, Australia and Japan?” The Naval Review, vol. 108, no. 4 (2020), pp. 362–368.  Pat also contributed as part of a larger report for SAGE International Australia, writing sections on the UK and France in a 2020 Indo-Pacific strategic assessment.  Contact Pete LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/petewarren  Website: https://www.futureintelligence.co.uk/  Books by Pete Warren - AI on Trial – with Mark Deem 2025 (2nd edition), Cyber Crime & Warfare: All That Matters – with Michael Streeter 2013, & Cyber Alert: How the World Is Under Attack from a New Form of Crime – with Michael Streeter 2005. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 47m

  7. 11/20/2025

    The Geopolitics of Climate Change

    Is the climate debate more complex than we’re being told? In this episode of The 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 climate, energy, mining, and geopolitics intersect in ways often overlooked in public debate. This is not an episode about “right” or “wrong.” It’s about asking difficult questions, challenging assumptions, and holding space for perspectives that sit outside the mainstream — while keeping the discussion grounded in science, evidence and geopolitics. Show Notes: Contact Ian: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-plimer-391052226?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BS7AtR8iDR5qZ2SE18wOmIw%3D%3D OpEds: “The Copenhagen charade” Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) (5 Feb 2020) and “Legislative time bomb” (also 5 Feb 2020).  “Professor Ian Plimer Launches Climate Change: The Facts 2025 in Perth” Institute of Public Affairs (IPA) (21 Nov 2024) — this is not strictly an op-ed but a release. Books: Ian Plimer, Sceptical Always: A View at Three Quarter Time (Redland Bay: Connor Court Publishing, 2025), ISBN 978-1-923568-02-0. Ian Plimer (ed.), Climate Change: The Facts 2025 (Melbourne: Institute of Public Affairs, 2024). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 45m

  8. 11/13/2025

    Can the West Still Lead?

    In this episode of The Focus, Dr. John Bruni speaks with leading strategist Professor Andrew A. Michta about 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 recent RealClearDefense essays, we discuss Europe’s defence readiness, U.S. strategic miscalculations, the risks of misreading history, and what the West must believe again to survive the 21st century. A sharp, sweeping conversation on power, purpose, and the future of the liberal order.  Show Notes: Connect with Andrew X: @andrewmichta  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-a-michta-39116934/  OpEds: RealClearDefense—“The West Needs to Come Together” 27 October 2025 https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2025/10/27/the_west_needs_to_come_together_1143377.html  RealClearDefense—“The Next U.S. National Security Strategy Risks Misreading History Again” 22 September 2025 https://www.realcleardefense.com/2025/09/22/the_next_us_national_security_strategy_risks_misreading_history_again_1136224.html  Books by Andrew:  The Future of NATO: Regional Defense and Global SecurityJune 23, 2014 — University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Limits of Alliance: The United States, NATO, and the EU in North and Central Europe2006 — Rowman & Littlefield, Lanham, Maryland. The Soldier-Citizen: The Politics of the Polish Army after Communism1997 — St. Martin’s Press, New York. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 48m
See All (100)

About

The Focus is the flagship current affairs podcast of SAGE International, an independent, Adelaide-based geopolitical  think tank. Hosted by Dr. John Bruni—a veteran geopolitical commentator with over 24 years in the Australian media—The Focus brings a critical edge to global affairs. John's expertise is built on decades of experience, including time with the Royal United Services Institute of Australia, work as a university lecturer, senatorial foreign affairs adviser, analyst for Jane’s Intelligence Review, and Gulf-based military analyst. Produced by Neil Smart, The Focus cuts through the noise of biased media to deliver sharp, informed insights into the major issues shaping Australia and the world. In an age of global disruption and complexity, knowing which questions to ask is more vital than ever.

Information

  • Creator
    Auscast Network
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Auscast Network
  • Show Website
    The Focus