In 2021, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) said that right-wing extremism makes up 50 per cent of its priority caseload. Since that announcement, intelligence and law enforcement agencies have disrupted a number of plots related to right-wing extremists in Australia. But this is not only an issue in Australia. There has been a 250 per cent increase in right-wing terrorism globally. So, what exactly is right-wing extremism and how is its potential for violence growing? Why is it a global problem? How does it threaten democracy and what should we do about it? Rise of the Extreme Right answers these questions.

Award-winning investigative journalist Nick McKenzie, whose recent work includes a major investigation on Australian neo-Nazi groups, will launch the book. Lydia Khalil will also speak about her book and her experiences as a counter-terrorism specialist in the United States and Australia. Lydia and Nick will then take questions from our audience. 

Lydia Khalil is a Research Fellow at the Lowy Institute and an Associate Research Fellow at Deakin University. She began her counter-terrorism and national security career after the September 11 attacks. She is a recognised expert on terrorism and extremism, having worked for the White House Office of Homeland Security, US Department of Defense, the New York Police Department, Boston Police Department and the Council on Foreign Relations. She is a frequent media commentator and has been widely published.

Nick McKenzie is an award-winning investigative journalist for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald. He has presented major investigations for the ABC's Four Corners and 7:30, 60 Minutes and The Australian Financial Review. With almost 20 years' experience, his investigations span foreign affairs, defence and national security, corporate wrongdoing, politics, organised crime and corruption, the criminal justice system and social affairs. His work has sparked Royal Commissions and parliamentary inquiries, and prompted investigations in Australia, the United States and Britain into corruption and bribery.

Sam Roggeveen, Director of the Lowy Institute's International Security Program, will chair this event.

In 2021, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) said that right-wing extremism makes up 50 per cent of its priority caseload. Since that announcement, intelligence and law enforcement agencies have disrupted a number of plots related to right-wing extremists in Australia. But this is not only an issue in Australia. There has been a 250 per cent increase in right-wing terrorism globally. So, what exactly is right-wing extremism and how is its potential for violence growing? Why is it a global problem? How does it threaten democracy and what should we do about it? Rise of the Extreme Right answers these questions. Award-winning investigative journalist Nick McKenzie, whose recent work includes a major investigation on Australian neo-Nazi groups, will launch the book. Lydia Khalil will also speak about her book and her experiences as a counter-terrorism specialist in the United States and Australia. Lydia and Nick will then take questions from our audience.    Lydia Khalil is a Research Fellow at the Lowy Institute and an Associate Research Fellow at Deakin University. She began her counter-terrorism and national security career after the September 11 attacks. She is a recognised expert on terrorism and extremism, having worked for the White House Office of Homeland Security, US Department of Defense, the New York Police Department, Boston Police Department and the Council on Foreign Relations. She is a frequent media commentator and has been widely published.   Nick McKenzie is an award-winning investigative journalist for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald. He has presented major investigations for the ABC's Four Corners and 7:30, 60 Minutes and The Australian Financial Review. With almost 20 years' experience, his investigations span foreign affairs, defence and national security, corporate wrongdoing, politics, organised crime and corruption, the criminal justice system and social affairs. His work has sparked Royal Commissions and parliamentary inquiries, and prompted investigations in Australia, the United States and Britain into corruption and bribery. Sam Roggeveen, Director of the Lowy Institute's International Security Program, will chair this event.

Listen to all of our events in one place. Featuring distinguished speakers from around the globe on foreign policy, defence, politics, economics, aid and development.

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The Lowy Institute is a leading international think tank that looks at the world from Australia’s perspective.
This channel aggregates audio from across all of our event and podcast channels.

Lowy Institute

EVENT: Lowy Institute Paper Launch: Rise of the Extreme Right by Lydia Khalil

The inaugural Lowy Interview, featuring US President Joe Biden’s National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.

During all the moments that have defined US foreign policy over the past four years — from Afghanistan to Ukraine, from meetings of the Quad to the formation of AUKUS, from October 7 to the fall of Bashar al-Assad — Jake Sullivan has been at President Biden’s elbow.

In an extended interview at the White House in Washington, DC, the Lowy Institute’s Executive Director, Dr Michael Fullilove AM, spoke with Mr Sullivan about America’s relations with the world under President Biden’s administration, and what comes next.

Dr Fullilove and Mr Sullivan discussed the monumental events in Syria, Iran’s annus horribilis, Russia’s recent setbacks and the war in Ukraine.

Closer to home, Mr Sullivan reflected on his “strategic channel” with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Beijing’s growing alignment with Russia, Iran and North Korea, the “Biden doctrine” in foreign policy — and how AUKUS will fare under President Donald Trump.

On a more personal note, Dr Fullilove spoke with Mr Sullivan about imposter syndrome, Midwestern niceness — and the merits of Australian Rules football.

The inaugural Lowy Interview, featuring US President Joe Biden&rsquo;s National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. During all the moments that have defined US foreign policy over the past four years &mdash; from Afghanistan to Ukraine, from meetings of the Quad to the formation of AUKUS, from October 7 to the fall of Bashar al-Assad &mdash; Jake Sullivan has been at President Biden&rsquo;s elbow. In an extended interview at the White House in Washington, DC, the Lowy Institute&rsquo;s Executive Director, Dr Michael Fullilove AM, spoke with Mr Sullivan about America&rsquo;s relations with the world under President Biden&rsquo;s administration, and what comes next. Dr Fullilove and Mr Sullivan discussed the monumental events in Syria, Iran&rsquo;s annus horribilis, Russia&rsquo;s recent setbacks and the war in Ukraine. Closer to home, Mr Sullivan reflected on his &ldquo;strategic channel&rdquo; with China&rsquo;s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Beijing&rsquo;s growing alignment with Russia, Iran and North Korea, the &ldquo;Biden doctrine&rdquo; in foreign policy &mdash; and how AUKUS will fare under President Donald Trump. On a more personal note, Dr Fullilove spoke with Mr Sullivan about imposter syndrome, Midwestern niceness &mdash; and the merits of Australian Rules football.

EVENT: The 2024 Lowy Interview with US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan

Lowy Institute experts and guests examined the implications for Asia of Donald Trump’s re-election as US President. Our panellists examined the consequences of his re-election for US security and trade ties with Indo-Pacific, and the outlook for US-China tensions and key regional flashpoints, including Taiwan and the South China Sea. Lydia Khalil convened this conversation with colleagues Daniel Flitton, Managing Editor of the Interpreter and Susannah Patton, Director of the Southeast Asia Program at the Lowy Institute, and Professor Bec Strating, Director of La Trobe Asia.

Lowy Institute experts and guests examined the implications for Asia of Donald Trump&rsquo;s re-election as US President. Our panellists examined the consequences of his re-election for US security and trade ties with Indo-Pacific, and the outlook for US-China tensions and key regional flashpoints, including Taiwan and the South China Sea. Lydia Khalil convened this conversation with colleagues Daniel Flitton, Managing Editor of the Interpreter and Susannah Patton, Director of the Southeast Asia Program at the Lowy Institute, and Professor Bec Strating, Director of La Trobe Asia.

EVENT: Asia in 2025 – the return of Donald Trump

On Monday 18 November 2024, we hosted Australian and American scholars at the Lowy Institute to assess the aftermath of the tense, high-stakes US election. Our panellists discussed the outcome of the poll and the implications for Australia and the region, including trade, national security, and China and Asia policy.

Richard McGregor led the conversation with the Australian Financial Review’sInternational Editor James Curran, and visiting scholars Charles Edel and Kathryn Paik from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, DC.

On Monday 18 November 2024, we hosted Australian and American scholars at the Lowy Institute to assess the aftermath of the tense, high-stakes US election. Our panellists discussed the outcome of the poll and the implications for Australia and the region, including trade, national security, and China and Asia policy. Richard McGregor led the conversation with the Australian Financial Review’s International Editor James Curran, and visiting scholars Charles Edel and Kathryn Paik from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, DC.

EVENT: Lowy Institute Paper Launch: Rise of the Extreme Right by Lydia Khalil

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