United States Studies Centre

By the numbers: US–China ties are thinning at the top level. Engagement is down to just 2.5 interactions/year with ~75% of contact now via phone. Read our breakdown of US-China diplomacy as the backdrop to the Trump–Xi summit 👇 ussc.edu.au/expectations-f…

Calling all teachers 📢 📢 📢 Join us at 4:30pm on 26 May for our first teacher professional development webinar of 2026: How is US political polarisation impacting Australian life with @dtsmith_sydney and @bwolpe. Register here 👇 ussc.edu.au/how-is-us-poli…

100 EPISODES! 🎉 🎉 🎉 Today we published the 100th episode of the USSC Briefing Room! Thanks for joining us on this journey. This episode is a discussion with @DrMichaelJGreen about what we learned from Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi's visit to Australia. ussc.edu.au/podcasts/ussc-…

Congratulations to our newest cohort of American Studies graduates! On Friday, we celebrated the graduation of nine American Studies students & a special surprise was Associate Prof. David Smith filling in with a last-minute address! Want to study with us? ussc.edu.au/study

.@USSC CEO @DrMichaelJGreen spoke with @nytimes about Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi following her visit to Australia this week, saying she's using her powerful mandate to "go out and build relationships with her counterparts that will last for years." nytimes.com/2026/05/06/wor…

With US oil prices rising and Iran talks stalled, Trump "really needs to be seen doing something about it," says @USSC Associate Professor David Smith speaking on 'Project Freedom'. Listen to the full interview here: ab.co/42JJhH0

The Quad has the pieces of the mineral puzzle: financing, mining, processing, manufacturing and consumption. But no shared picture. Why it should build one, writes USSC’s @HayleyChanner. aspistrategist.org.au/the-quad-shoul…

What if critical minerals were tracked like maritime threats? Fusion centres could be the answer, writes writes USSC's @HayleyChanner, creating "coherent pictures that can inform actions.” aspistrategist.org.au/the-quad-shoul…

Despite some clear differences in opinions, USSC CEO @DrMichaelJGreen says King Charles' state visit to the United States shows just how valuable the monarchy can be for the United Kingdom. sbs.com.au/news/podcast-e…

The US blockade of Iran is cutting off “around 80–90%” of the regime’s government revenue, says USSC’s @lavinalee3. Even so, control of the domestic security apparatus means Tehran remains politically stronger than its economic position suggests. skynews.com.au/world-news/glo…

Trump’s upcoming China visit may bring a temporary thaw, but not a lasting reset. “There’s a difference between what the leaders want and what structurally will occur,” @jaredmondschein says. youtube.com/watch?v=MCR3xe…

“The US budget cycle is bewildering even for seasoned experts.” The Trump administration's decision to work around it — rather than through it — carries consequences, explains @CorbenTom and Esther Soulard. ussc.edu.au/trump-congress…

The CRINKs will continue helping Iran “even if there is a ceasefire," says USSC's @lavinalee3. "China, Russia and North Korea will use any ceasefire to help Iran rebuild its missile and drone capability." theage.com.au/world/middle-e…

Space is moving fast. Governance needs to keep up. Tomorrow, join USSC's @katrobisonPhD to unpack the future of the field, at a @spaceindustryoz and @BartierPerryLaw webinar. Register ↓ events.humanitix.com/siaa-bartier-p…

Which Democrats could run for president in 2028? USSC's @dtsmith_sydney and @bwolpe examine the emerging field — and the message that could define the party’s next campaign. sbs.com.au/news/article/d…

A striking turn in regional attitudes. A new @asaninst poll shows Koreans' improved views of Japan and enduring support for the United States. What’s driving the shift? USSC CEO @DrMichaelJGreen explains. ussc.edu.au/asan-foreign-p…

【日豪次世代対話交流事業公募開始！締切：6月8日】 国際交流基金（#JF）とシドニー大学付属在豪米国研究所（#USSC）は、将来の日豪関係を支える次世代の政策専門家育成を目的に、日豪次世代対話交流事業（Japan Australia Dialogue and Exchange for Next Generation, JADE）を実施しています。現在、3期フェローを募集（日豪5名ずつ）中です。 令和8年度のテーマは“Australia-Japan relation at 50 years since the NARA treaty – What are the challenges and opportunities for elevating the bilateral relations?” です。 詳しくは以下のウェブサイトをご覧下さい。皆様のご応募お待ちしております。 jpf.go.jp/j/project/inte… ※4月17日（金曜日）にUSSC主催のオンライン説明会を開催します（要登録）。 日本語のセッション（日本時間16時～） 詳細・申し込みはこちらから：uni-sydney.zoom.us/meeting/regist… #JADEprogram #FreeOpenandStableInternationalOrder

We’re entering a new era of space exploration after Artemis II. But where does Australia fit in? @KatRobisonPhD and Isobel Haddow explore how we can turn our space strengths into real economic and security gains. ussc.edu.au/harnessing-aus…

"Assuming the war is winding down for now, one can find ample evidence of harm to American power and prestige but far less advantage for China, Russia or Iran than many seers in the media assert," writes @USSC CEO @DrMichaelJGreen. ussc.edu.au/iran-war-doesn…

“The Iranian regime has been more resilient than they [the US] expected… the security apparatus is still intact.” With no “signs yet of significant defection,” @USSC's @lavinalee3 warns leadership losses raise the prospect of an internal power struggle. smh.com.au/national/going…