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The Focus

The Focus

By: Auscast Network
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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.

2026 Auscast Network Philosophy Political Science Politics & Government Science Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Dr. Ramzy Baroud | What the World Gets Wrong About Palestine

    Dr. Ramzy Baroud | What the World Gets Wrong About Palestine
    Jul 3 2026

    Few conflicts have shaped global politics as profoundly—or generated as much division—as the struggle between Israelis and Palestinians. Yet meaningful discussion is often replaced by slogans, outrage, and competing narratives.

    In this episode of The Focus Podcast, Dr John Bruni is joined by internationally renowned Palestinian journalist, historian, and author Ramzy Baroud for an in-depth discussion that goes beyond the headlines.

    Whether you agree with every conclusion or not, this conversation offers historical context, strategic analysis, and a perspective rarely explored in mainstream Western media.
    If you're looking for a thoughtful, informed discussion rather than another shouting match, this episode is for you.

    Show Notes

    About our Guest

    Ramzy Baroud is a Palestinian-American journalist, historian, internationally syndicated columnist, author, and Editor-in-Chief of The Palestine Chronicle. Born in the Nuseirat Refugee Camp in Gaza, he focuses his work on Palestinian history, international politics, and the lived experience of conflict.

    He has authored numerous books and writes extensively on Middle Eastern affairs for international publications.

    Featured Books

    📖 Before the Flood: A Gaza Family Memoir Across Three Generations of Colonial Invasion, Occupation, and War (2026)

    📖 These Chains Will Be Broken: Palestinian Stories of Struggle and Defiance in Israeli Prisons (2020)


    📖 The Last Earth: A Palestinian Story (2018)

    Learn More


    The Palestine Chronicle

    https://www.palestinechronicle.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

    Thinking Palestine

    https://thinkingpalestine.com/

    Editor's Note
    During the discussion (approx. 44:49), Ramzy Baroud refers to an Australian historian who argued that suicide bombings are closely linked to humiliation but could not recall the scholar's name.
    We were unable to verify the identity of this individual. Readers interested in this area may wish to consult the work of Robert A. Pape, whose research argues that suicide terrorism is closely associated with foreign military occupation, and Evelin Lindner, whose work explores humiliation as a driver of political violence. These scholars represent related, though not identical, schools of thought.

    Subscribe to The Focus Podcast for informed conversations on geopolitics, defence, security, economics and international affairs.

    🌐 SAGE International

    https://sageinternational.com.au/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • Can Japan Hold Its Own In The Indo-Pacific?

    Can Japan Hold Its Own In The Indo-Pacific?
    Jun 25 2026
    Can Japan become the Indo-Pacific's indispensable strategic power? For decades, Japan has been viewed as an economic powerhouse constrained by its post-war constitution and reliance on the United States for its security. Today, that assumption is being tested. As strategic competition intensifies across the Indo-Pacific, Japan finds itself confronting an increasingly assertive China, a nuclear-armed North Korea, a more closely aligned Russia-China partnership, renewed uncertainty under Donald Trump's second presidency, and growing instability in the Middle East that threatens the energy lifelines upon which the Japanese economy depends.Joining Dr John Bruni on The Focus is one of Australia's foremost experts on Japan and the Indo-Pacific, Emeritus Professor Purnendra C. Jain. Together, they examine how Japan is adapting to one of the most dangerous strategic environments since the Second World War. Topics discussed include: • Is Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi transforming Japan into a more assertive strategic power?
 • Can the US-Japan alliance remain the cornerstone of Indo-Pacific security under Donald Trump?
 • How does Tokyo view China's growing military power and the possibility of conflict over Taiwan? 
• What do North Korea and the emerging Russia-China-DPRK alignment mean for Japanese security?
 • Why does India remain central to Japan's Indo-Pacific strategy? 
• Is the Quad becoming a meaningful strategic partnership—or merely diplomatic theatre? 
• How have the Israel-Iran conflict and the Strait of Hormuz reshaped Japan's thinking about energy security? 
• What does all this mean for Australia and the future balance of power in Asia? As the Indo-Pacific enters a period of profound strategic uncertainty, Japan's decisions may prove decisive—not only for its own future, but for regional stability as a whole. Show Notes About our guest Emeritus Professor Purnendra C. Jain is one of Australia's foremost scholars of Japanese politics, foreign policy and Indo-Pacific strategic affairs. Formerly Professor of Asian Studies at the University of Adelaide, Professor Jain has spent more than three decades researching Japanese politics, India-Japan relations, Australian foreign policy and the evolving strategic architecture of the Indo-Pacific. In 2020 he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon by the Government of Japan in recognition of his outstanding contribution to promoting understanding between Japan and Australia. Selected Recent Publications 2025 — Japan's Foreign and Security Policy Pivots to Pragmatism Replacing Idealism
Published in the Journal of Asian Security and International Affairs. The article examines how Japanese foreign and security policy has shifted from the idealism of "proactive pacifism" toward a more pragmatic approach shaped by regional strategic realities. 2025 — The Global South and India: Opportunities and Challenges
Published by IDE-JETRO. Professor Jain explores India's growing influence across the Global South and the strategic opportunities and constraints this presents for regional and global politics. 2025 — The Japan-India-Bangladesh Strategic Triangle Unfastened
Published by IDE-JETRO. This study analyses the evolving strategic relationships between Japan, India and Bangladesh within the broader Indo-Pacific geopolitical landscape. Glossary Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) An informal strategic partnership comprising Australia, India, Japan and the United States. Originally established in 2007 and revitalised in 2017, the Quad promotes a free, open and stable Indo-Pacific through cooperation on maritime security, critical technologies, infrastructure, disaster relief, supply chains and regional resilience. ODA (Official Development Assistance) Government-funded foreign aid provided to support the economic development and welfare of developing countries. Japan has long used ODA as a key instrument of its foreign policy, strengthening diplomatic relationships through infrastructure investment, technical assistance and capacity building across Asia and beyond. LDP (Liberal Democratic Party) Japan's dominant conservative political party. Since its formation in 1955, the LDP has governed Japan for the vast majority of the post-war period and has shaped much of the country's economic, foreign and security policy, including the administrations of Shinzo Abe, Fumio Kishida and Sanae Takaichi. Indo-Pacific A strategic concept describing the interconnected maritime region stretching from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. It recognises the increasing geopolitical, economic and security links between East Asia, South Asia and Oceania. Strait of Hormuz One of the world's most strategically important maritime chokepoints. Roughly one-fifth of globally traded oil passes through the Strait, making it critically important to energy-importing countries such as Japan. Economic Security ...
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    59 mins
  • Jenny Gordon | Can Australia Afford the Future? | Part 1

    Jenny Gordon | Can Australia Afford the Future? | Part 1
    Jun 18 2026

    🌐 The global balance is shifting. For decades, economists claimed trade would keep the peace—but what happens when the world’s two biggest superpowers weaponise trade against each other? 🇺🇸 vs 🇨🇳 Who really holds the power? Has globalisation created an economic ticking time bomb—where neither side can strike without risking total financial meltdown? And what about countries caught in the crossfire—like Australia?

    Can smaller nations break free, or are they doomed to become pawns in the ultimate power struggle between Washington and Beijing?

    These are the questions that will define our future.

    They will decide who thrives, who survives, and who gets left behind.

    Get ready for an epic discussion with Dr Jenny Gordon—economist, global strategist, and former Chief Economist at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

    In Part 1 of this explosive two-part series, we dive into the economic question of the century:
    Can the world stay connected—or are we headed for a new era of economic warfare? Hit play and join the debate now! 🔥

    About Dr Jenny Gordon

    Dr Jenny Gordon is an economist specialising in international trade, economic development, public policy and the intersection between economics and strategic affairs. She is an Honorary Professor at the Australian National University, a Non-Resident Fellow at the Lowy Institute, and formerly served as Chief Economist at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

    Over a distinguished career spanning academia, government and public policy, Dr Gordon has worked extensively on trade liberalisation, economic reform, productivity, migration, climate policy, regional economic integration and Australia’s engagement with Asia. Before DFAT, she held senior positions at the Australian Productivity Commission, where she contributed to some of Australia’s most influential economic policy research.

    Her work focuses on helping governments navigate complex economic challenges in an era increasingly shaped by geopolitical competition, technological disruption and shifting patterns of globalisation.

    Selected Publications and Major Works

    Books and Edited Volumes

    Contemporary China: A New Superpower? (co-editor, with Ligang Song)
    Rising China: Global Challenges and Opportunities (contributor)
    China’s Domestic Transformation in a Global Context (contributor)

    ⸻

    Major Reports and Research

    Australian Foreign Policy and Trade

    Australia’s Engagement with the World: The Role of Trade and Economic Diplomacy
    Australia and the Changing Global Trading System
    The Future of Globalisation: Implications for Australia
    Trade, Technology and Strategic Competition

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 1 min
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