Deterrence Down Under

About Deterrence Down Under

Deterrence Down Under is a production of the NIDS Broadcasting Network and is focused on Australia and deterrence challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.

Publisher

Kimberly Cherington

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

17 Feb 2025

Latest episode

5 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

36 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   5 Oct 2026

   Japan Opens the Nuclear Debate that Australia Avoids

   Japan just broke a major taboo, and Australia may be next. A serving defense minister is publicly questioning whether nuclear weapons, nuclear-powered submarines, and extended deterrence should still be off limits—and that shift opens up one of the most important security debates in the Indo-Pacific. Carl Rhodes and Christine Leah unpack why this matters far beyond Tokyo. If you care about Australia’s AUKUS path, the credibility of the US nuclear umbrella, or what happens when old taboos collide with a worsening security environment, this conversation goes straight to the heart of it. (http://it.You) You (http://it.You)’ll discover: Why Japan’s willingness to openly discuss nuclear options is a big deal How Australia’s AUKUS decision skipped the public debate Japan is now forcing What extended deterrence means, and why some allies feel safer with more visible nuclear support The tension between non-proliferation ideals and geopolitical reality Why conventional and nuclear deterrence can no longer be separated How precision strike, drones, and long-range missiles are changing the meaning of strategic depth www.thinkdeterrence.com

2. 

   21 Sept 2026

   110 Facilities Later, Is Australia Already Part of US War Plans?

   A new map of the U.S. military footprint in Australia has reignited a long-running debate over sovereignty, deterrence, and entrapment. With 110 facilities tied to U.S. access, contractor activity, intelligence work, bomber operations, submarine support, logistics, and stockpiled war materiel, the stakes are no longer abstract. Christine and Carl unpack why the relationship is growing more integrated. You'll discover how concepts like full knowledge and concurrence shape Australia’s control over joint facilities, why phrases like “no foreign bases” can be legally true while still masking deep operational access, and how the 2014 Force Posture Agreement actually works in practice. The conversation also traces the issue back to Pine Gap, Northwest Cape, and the Cold War, showing this is not a new controversy - just one that has become more urgent. Christine brings a historical lens on Australian alliance management and extended deterrence, including the long debate over what Australia should expect from the United States in a crisis. Carl pushes on the practical side - what happens when facilities, submarines, aircraft, and munitions are already enmeshed, and who decides what gets used, when, and for whom? We break down the real tension between deterrence and entrapment, why Australia may want the protection of U.S. power without losing agency, and how the rise of China changes the calculations. The discussion also gets into the role of regional conflict, whether the Pacific has truly been “pivoted” to by the U.S., and why a war involving major powers would be a whole-of-nation event, not just a military one. www.thinkdeterrence.com (http://www.thinkdeterrence.com)

3. 

   7 Sept 2026

   Ukraine’s Resilience in War: Lessons for the Future with Dr. Viktoriya Fedorchak

   What enables a nation to endure years of war and continue fighting effectively? In this episode of Deterrence Down Under, Dr. Viktoriya Fedorchak explores the remarkable resilience of Ukraine throughout the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Drawing on her research, she examines the interconnected concepts of preparedness, mobilization, and resilience, highlighting how military and societal factors have enabled Ukraine to adapt and persevere under extraordinary pressure. The conversation explores key lessons from Ukraine’s long-term conflict, including the importance of national preparedness, the ability to recover and adapt in wartime, and the role of public support in sustaining military effectiveness. Dr. Fedorchak also discusses how these lessons may apply to other nations, particularly Australia, as they confront evolving security challenges. The episode concludes with an examination of modern warfare’s rapidly changing character, including the growing impact of drones and the continued importance of air power. Dr. Fedorchak offers insights into how military organizations can adapt their doctrines and force structures to address emerging threats while maintaining operational effectiveness. Dr. Viktoriya Fedorchak is a Senior lecturer and Docent\Associate Professor in War Studies, Air Operations Division, at the Swedish Defence University. Previously, she taught courses in Air Power, Security and Strategic Studies, International Relations in Norway, Ireland, and the UK. She has widely published on air power and security studies, multi-domain aspects of the Russia-Ukraine war. Her books are the monograph ‘British Air Power: The Doctrinal Path to Jointery’ (Bloomsbury Academic, 2018), and the textbook ‘Understanding Contemporary Air power’ (Routledge, 2020). Her most recent monograph, ‘The Russia-Ukraine War: towards Resilient fighting Power’ (Routledge), was published in Spring 2024 and is available online in open access. Her current research interests include air power, Nordic aerial cooperation, multi-domain operations, professional military education, and Sweden’s NATO membership. www.thinkdeterrence.com (http://www.thinkdeterrence.com)

Who has been a guest on Deterrence Down Under

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• John Blackburn
• Edward Geist
• Frank Rose
• Chris McInnes
• Bob Peters

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

9,970

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 31 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

33

Social presence

0

YouTube

74

Engagement

0

Contact Deterrence Down Under

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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