The Focus
The Focus
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 Aus…Social links:
INDIA’S IRAN DILEMMA: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia & the New Strategic Order
India has spent decades pursuing strategic autonomy. But what happens when the world around it begins choosing sides? In this episode of The Focus Podcast, Dr John Bruni is joined by LTGEN (Ret.) Ravi Shankar to examine India's increasingly complex strategic position as instability surrounding Ira…
1:16:30
Seeing Around Corners - Why Strategic Surprises Keep Catching Us Off Guard
From pandemics and wars to artificial intelligence, geopolitical rivalry, and presidential candidates, the pace of change has never been faster. Yet governments, businesses and intelligence agencies continue to be caught off guard by events they often should have seen coming. Why? In this episode o…
1:42:59
How Colombia defeated the FARC | Part 2
How did Colombia defeat the FARC—and what can other democracies learn from its experience? In Part 2 of my conversation with General Alberto José Mejía Ferrero, former Commander of the Colombian Armed Forces, we continue our examination of counterinsurgency, national resilience and the long campai…
1:15:12
How Colombia Defeated the FARC
How does a democracy defeat one of the world's longest-running insurgencies? For more than fifty years, Colombia fought a brutal conflict against the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC)—a war fuelled by ideology, narcotics trafficking and some of the most challenging terrain on Earth. Y…
1:09:46
Jenny Gordon | Can Australia Afford the Future? Part 2
In Part 2 of this in-depth conversation, Dr John Bruni continues his discussion with economist Dr Jenny Gordon to examine one of the defining questions of the 21st century: who shapes the global economic system in an era of great-power competition, technological disruption and growing public discon…
1:03:15
Dr. Ramzy Baroud | What the World Gets Wrong About Palestine
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 inter…
1:09:50
Can Japan Hold Its Own In The Indo-Pacific?
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…
58:47
Jenny Gordon | Can Australia Afford the Future? | Part 1
🌐 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 …
1:01:28
Julian Lindley-French | Britain’s Strategic Reckoning
Britain’s Defence Secretary has resigned. NATO is transforming. Europe is rearming. So is Britain 🇬🇧 still a serious power? Against this backdrop, the recent resignation of Defence Secretary John Healey over the Defence Investment Plan has reignited debate over whether Britain is matching its am…
1:44:03
Roy Casagranda | The Great Realignment
A global power shift is underway—and most people haven't realised how profound it is. From the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz to Ukraine, China, energy security, economics, and the future of American power, Professor Roy Casagranda maps the emerging strategic landscape and explains why toda…
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