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:
NATO After 5 Years of the Russia-Ukraine War.
As Russia’s war in Ukraine grinds into its fifth year, the geopolitical map is shifting in real time. In this episode of The Focus, Dr. John Bruni speaks with Lt. Gen. (ret.) Ben Hodges, former Commanding General of U.S. Army Europe, about the war’s trajectory, the future of NATO, and the global ri…
32:52
ADF: Boutique Capability or Credible Deterrence?
🎙️ Is Australia’s Defence Capability Strong — or Structurally Vulnerable? Australia talks constantly about defence capability. But if we can’t build, sustain, and properly crew our own force structure — are we truly sovereign? In this episode of The Focus, Dr John Bruni speaks with Mel Pikos fro…
1:07:44
India in the Era of Pax Trumpicana
Is India still a strategic partner of the United States — or is it becoming an independent pole in a rapidly shifting global order? In this high-level panel discussion, Dr. John Bruni is joined by Lt. General Ravi Shankar (Retd.), former Director General of Artillery of the Indian Army, and Profess…
1:50:53
The Minnesota Moment
In our second episode for 2026, John is joined by returning guest Professor Scott Lucas to talk about the recent tragic events in the U.S. state of Minnesota. Show Notes: Episode Description From Minneapolis to Washington, D.C., Minnesota has become the epicentre of seismic political conflict — …
52:39
Pax Trumpicana
The first episode of The Focus for 2026 opens with a wide-ranging and hard-edged conversation with political theorist and commentator Roy Casagranda. As global politics enters a period of heightened uncertainty, Dr Bruni and Casagranda examine the strategic, political, and moral pressures shaping t…
1:57:21
Britain in Crisis
Britain enters 2025 facing economic strain, strategic uncertainty, and intensifying global competition. In this hard-hitting year-end special, Dr John Bruni sits down with former Royal Navy submariner and intelligence specialist CDRE Pat Tyrrell OBE (Ret.), and investigative journalist Pete Warren,…
1:46:57
The Geopolitics of Climate Change
Is the climate debate more complex than we’re being told? In this episode of The Focus, Dr John Bruni sits down with Professor Ian Plimer — geologist, author, and one of the most contested voices in Australia’s climate conversation. Plimer has spent decades arguing that natural geological and plan…
1:44:34
Can the West Still Lead?
In this episode of The Focus, Dr. John Bruni speaks with leading strategist Professor Andrew A. Michta about whether the West is in decline or on the cusp of renewal, exploring the fractures inside the transatlantic alliance, America’s fading primacy, Europe’s struggle for strategic agency, China’s…
1:47:43
EU Rising? Defence, Ukraine & Populism
🇪🇺 Is Europe finally rising as a defence power? As the war in Ukraine grinds on and populist politics reshape Europe, the EU faces a historic test: defend the continent, support Kyiv, and hold the line against Moscow — while staying united. In this episode, Dr John Bruni speaks with EU analyst Pi…
1:46:15
SITREP | Tracking a World in Flux
In this episode of The Focus, Dr John Bruni speaks with CTO of NY-based company Artorias, Shane Curtis, about how truth is shaped, challenged, and weaponised in today’s information age and how Artorias' premium product, SITREP, is democratising Open Source Intelligence. From the algorithms driving …
1:03:29