Diplomates - A Geopolitical Chinwag

Professor Ross Garnaut is one of Australia’s most distinguished economists and a global expert on climate change, trade, and energy policy. He was Prime Minister Bob Hawke’s principal economic advisor and was Australia’s Ambassador to China. He’s lead many government reviews, including the seminal though ill-fated Garnaut Climate Change Review into carbon emission reduction for the then Rudd Government.  He is the author of many studies and books too numerous to mention, but his recent book - Superpower - details how Australia can make the most of the economic benefits of the upcoming clean energy revolution. Misha Zelinsky caught up with Ross for a chinwag about the politics of climate change including why Kevin Rudd was unable to pass his emissions trading scheme in 2009 and who was to blame, why COVID-19 shouldn’t distract us from climate change action, why Australia should be the world’s smelter for aluminium and steel and how renewable power can make Australia a manufacturing powerhouse, what the decoupling between the US and China means for Australia’s security, and why we need coordinated global action more than ever.

Richard McGregor is an internationally recognised expert on the Chinese political system and a senior fellow at the Lowy Institute.McGregor’s book, The Party, on the inner-workings of the Chinese Communist Party is considered the pre-eminent text for understanding the CCP and was called a “masterpiece” by The Economist and a must read” by the Washington Post.A former Bureau Chief for the Financial Times in Beijing and Washington D.C., Richard has been published in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and The Sydney Morning Herald and The Australian. He is also a regular commentator on the ABC, CNBC and Bloomberg TV.Misha Zelinsky caught up with Richard for a chinwag about the COVID-19 crisis and what this means for the world, including the escalated US-China rivalry and who is winning, how Xi Jinping is using the crisis to his advantage, how fake news is making the problems worse in the west, how democracies are struggling under the weight of the challenge and losing soft power, the pivotal battle underway in the pacific and why its critical we engage the Chinese diaspora in western values.

Richard McGregor is an internationally recognised expert on the Chinese political system and a senior fellow at the Lowy Institute.McGregor’s book, The Party, on the inner-workings of the Chinese Communist Party is considered the pre-eminent text for understanding the CCP and was called a “masterpiece” by The Economist and a must read” by the Washington Post.A former Bureau Chief for the Financial Times in Beijing and Washington D.C., Richard has been published in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and The Sydney Morning Herald and The Australian. He is also a regular commentator on the ABC, CNBC and Bloomberg TV.Misha Zelinsky caught up with Richard for a chinwag about the COVID-19 crisis and what this means for the world, including the escalated US-China rivalry and who is winning, how Xi Jinping is using the crisis to his advantage, how fake news is making the problems worse in the west, how democracies are struggling under the weight of the challenge and losing soft power, the pivotal battle underway in the pacific and why its critical we engage the Chinese diaspora in western values.

Dr Alexandra Phelan is a faculty member at the Center for Global Health Science & Security at Georgetown University School of Medicine, and Adjunct Professor of Law at Georgetown University Law Center. A global expert in pandemics, Misha Zelinsky caught up with Alex to talk about all things related to COVID-19, including the nature of the threat we face from the virus, the challenges coordinating government responses, the vital role universal healthcare plays in stopping pandemics, why we should get ready for a long, long lock-down, why the Chinese Communist Party’s delays at the start were so costly, the importance of solidarity and what Australia and the world should be doing right now to slow the spread to the virus. As a serious note please make sure you are listening to authorities and taking the most up to date advice as this crisis unfolds. The situation may have changed by the time you have listened to the episode!

Dr Alexandra Phelan is a faculty member at the Center for Global Health Science & Security at Georgetown University School of Medicine, and Adjunct Professor of Law at Georgetown University Law Center. A global expert in pandemics, Misha Zelinsky caught up with Alex to talk about all things related to COVID-19, including the nature of the threat we face from the virus, the challenges coordinating government responses, the vital role universal healthcare plays in stopping pandemics, why we should get ready for a long, long lock-down, why the Chinese Communist Party’s delays at the start were so costly, the importance of solidarity and what Australia and the world should be doing right now to slow the spread to the virus. As a serious note please make sure you are listening to authorities and taking the most up to date advice as this crisis unfolds. The situation may have changed by the time you have listened to the episode!

Dr Michael Fullilove is the Executive Director of the Lowy Institute. An adviser to Prime Minister Paul Keating, Rhodes Scholar and renowned foreign affairs expert, Dr Fullilove is a widely published author and a much sought after global commentator. Misha Zelinsky caught up with Michael Fullilove for a chinwag about how Australia should interact with a rising China under Xi Jinping, the madness of US politics and what a second Trump term might look like, how open systems of government still have the upper hand, why the world might be one elected leader away from a new sense of calm, and why - despite everything - Michael remains an unabashed optimist about the future. Be sure to listen to Michael's special shout out to the 'Deep State'!

Dr Michael Fullilove is the Executive Director of the Lowy Institute. An adviser to Prime Minister Paul Keating, Rhodes Scholar and renowned foreign affairs expert, Dr Fullilove is a widely published author and a much sought after global commentator. Misha Zelinsky caught up with Michael Fullilove for a chinwag about how Australia should interact with a rising China under Xi Jinping, the madness of US politics and what a second Trump term might look like, how open systems of government still have the upper hand, why the world might be one elected leader away from a new sense of calm, and why - despite everything - Michael remains an unabashed optimist about the future. Be sure to listen to Michael's special shout out to the 'Deep State'!

Dr Michael Fullilove is the Executive Director of the Lowy Institute. An adviser to Prime Minister Paul Keating, Rhodes Scholar and renowned foreign affairs expert, Dr Fullilove is a widely published author and a much sought after global commentator. Misha Zelinsky caught up with Michael Fullilove for a chinwag about how Australia should interact with a rising China under Xi Jinping, the madness of US politics and what a second Trump term might look like, how open systems of government still have the upper hand, why the world might be one elected leader away from a new sense of calm, and why - despite everything - Michael remains an unabashed optimist about the future. Be sure to listen to Michael's special shout out to the 'Deep State'!

Jeff Bleich was US Ambassador to Australia from 2009 to 2013. A distinguished legal and political professional, he is the Chair of the Fulbright Scholarship Board and now heads up the Jeff Bleich Centre for the US Alliance in Digital Technology, Security, and Governance at Flinders University in Australia Misha Zelinsky caught up with Jeff for a chat about why the Trump Impeachment is bigger than the trial itself, how Mike Bloomberg could end up President, his friendship with President Obama, the attempts by the Chinese Communist Party to dominate global technology standards, why trust is central to democracy, why autocrats can never crush the human spirit and why the most recent hacking by Russian agents could impact the upcoming 2020 US election.

Jeff Bleich was US Ambassador to Australia from 2009 to 2013. A distinguished legal and political professional, he is the Chair of the Fulbright Scholarship Board and now heads up the Jeff Bleich Centre for the US Alliance in Digital Technology, Security, and Governance at Flinders University in Australia Misha Zelinsky caught up with Jeff for a chat about why the Trump Impeachment is bigger than the trial itself, how Mike Bloomberg could end up President, his friendship with President Obama, the attempts by the Chinese Communist Party to dominate global technology standards, why trust is central to democracy, why autocrats can never crush the human spirit and why the most recent hacking by Russian agents could impact the upcoming 2020 US election.

Sweden is often considered to be the heartland of social democracy - but that may no longer be the case. Benedict Hugosson is a global expert in political campaigning. He has lead national field campaigns for the Social Democrats in Sweden and is a leading thinker in political engagement strategies and tactics. An Australian born Harvard graduate, Ben has trained activists in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. I caught up with Ben for a chinwag about the fall in support for the historically dominant Swedish Social Democratic party, the rise of right wing nationalists in Sweden, why party membership is critical to voting patterns, how face to face conversations are still better than digital campaign tools, and what the future holds for mainstream European political parties of both the left and right. It’s a fascinating, in-depth insight into what is happening right throughout Europe. It also uncovers the important role that membership and organising plays in electoral outcomes. As ever, if you’re enjoying the show - please rate and review!

Sweden is often considered to be the heartland of social democracy - but that may no longer be the case. Benedict Hugosson is a global expert in political campaigning. He has lead national field campaigns for the Social Democrats in Sweden and is a leading thinker in political engagement strategies and tactics. An Australian born Harvard graduate, Ben has trained activists in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. I caught up with Ben for a chinwag about the fall in support for the historically dominant Swedish Social Democratic party, the rise of right wing nationalists in Sweden, why party membership is critical to voting patterns, how face to face conversations are still better than digital campaign tools, and what the future holds for mainstream European political parties of both the left and right. It’s a fascinating, in-depth insight into what is happening right throughout Europe. It also uncovers the important role that membership and organising plays in electoral outcomes. As ever, if you’re enjoying the show - please rate and review!

Emily Lau is one of the most famous politicians in Hong Kong. She was the leader of the Democratic Party and the first woman to be elected into Hong Kong's legislature. A former journalist, Emily is a passionate defender of press freedoms and free speech. She shares some important lessons for anyone who cares about freedom of expression and democracy. Emily joined Misha Zelinsky for a chinwag about the current mood in Hong Kong, what ‘one country, two systems’ actually means, how the Beijing crackdown is hardening the position of protestors, how young people are inspiring their fellow citizens, why western governments and businesses should stand up to CCP bullying and what a peaceful resolution to the crisis looks like. It’s an inspiring and illuminating chat!

Emily Lau is one of the most famous politicians in Hong Kong. She was the leader of the Democratic Party and the first woman to be elected into Hong Kong's legislature. A former journalist, Emily is a passionate defender of press freedoms and free speech. She shares some important lessons for anyone who cares about freedom of expression and democracy. Emily joined Misha Zelinsky for a chinwag about the current mood in Hong Kong, what ‘one country, two systems’ actually means, how the Beijing crackdown is hardening the position of protestors, how young people are inspiring their fellow citizens, why western governments and businesses should stand up to CCP bullying and what a peaceful resolution to the crisis looks like. It’s an inspiring and illuminating chat!

Emily Lau is one of the most famous politicians in Hong Kong. She was the leader of the Democratic Party and the first woman to be elected into Hong Kong's legislature. A former journalist, Emily is a passionate defender of press freedoms and free speech. She shares some important lessons for anyone who cares about freedom of expression and democracy. Emily joined Misha Zelinsky for a chinwag about the current mood in Hong Kong, what ‘one country, two systems’ actually means, how the Beijing crackdown is hardening the position of protestors, how young people are inspiring their fellow citizens, why western governments and businesses should stand up to CCP bullying and what a peaceful resolution to the crisis looks like. It’s an inspiring and illuminating chat!

Alex Oliver is the Director of Research at the Lowy Institute where she oversees the annual Lowy Institute Poll. Alex in an expert in foreign affairs and has authored several major studies on Australia’s diplomacy. She is a prolific author for international press including Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, The Wall Street Journal and BBC.com and for all major Australian publications. Misha Zelinsky caught up with Alex for a chinwag about how the Australian public see the world, the politics of climate change, what’s driving attitudes on immigration, why Aussies are so worried about the CCP, how we can lift gender equality in the foreign policy world and just what the hell is going on with modern polling results.

Alex Oliver is the Director of Research at the Lowy Institute where she oversees the annual Lowy Institute Poll. Alex in an expert in foreign affairs and has authored several major studies on Australia’s diplomacy. She is a prolific author for international press including Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, The Wall Street Journal and BBC.com and for all major Australian publications. Misha Zelinsky caught up with Alex for a chinwag about how the Australian public see the world, the politics of climate change, what’s driving attitudes on immigration, why Aussies are so worried about the CCP, how we can lift gender equality in the foreign policy world and just what the hell is going on with modern polling results.

Alex Oliver is the Director of Research at the Lowy Institute where she oversees the annual Lowy Institute Poll. Alex in an expert in foreign affairs and has authored several major studies on Australia’s diplomacy. She is a prolific author for international press including Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, The Wall Street Journal and BBC.com and for all major Australian publications. Misha Zelinsky caught up with Alex for a chinwag about how the Australian public see the world, the politics of climate change, what’s driving attitudes on immigration, why Aussies are so worried about the CCP, how we can lift gender equality in the foreign policy world and just what the hell is going on with modern polling results.

Wayne Swan is the President of the Labor Party. He served as Australia’s Treasurer from 2007 to 2013 and was Deputy Prime Minister. Wayne is credited with helping save Australia from the GFC and in 2011 was crowned World Finance Minister of the year.As the author of numerous books on social policy, he has lead the domestic and global debates on the dangers of economic inequality.Wayne Swan joined Misha Zelinsky for a chinwag about what went wrong at the 2019 election for Labor, why fiscal policy still matters in economic management, how far right nationalists are using inequality to win government around the world, why big philanthropy is a big problem for democracy, how Australia should manage an assertive Chinese Communist Party and where to from here for social democrats around the world.

Wayne Swan is the President of the Labor Party. He served as Australia’s Treasurer from 2007 to 2013 and was Deputy Prime Minister. Wayne is credited with helping save Australia from the GFC and in 2011 was crowned World Finance Minister of the year.As the author of numerous books on social policy, he has lead the domestic and global debates on the dangers of economic inequality.Wayne Swan joined Misha Zelinsky for a chinwag about what went wrong at the 2019 election for Labor, why fiscal policy still matters in economic management, how far right nationalists are using inequality to win government around the world, why big philanthropy is a big problem for democracy, how Australia should manage an assertive Chinese Communist Party and where to from here for social democrats around the world.