Pakistan is under pressure. Its economy is struggling, insurgencies threaten internal stability, and tensions with India remain unresolved. But with China investing heavily in its strategic infrastructure and Saudi Arabia deepening its defence relationship with Islamabad, could Pakistan's problems become a much wider regional crisis?
In the inaugural edition of Dispatches from India, Dr John Bruni speaks with Major General (Ret.) P.R. Shankar of the Indian Army about the geopolitical forces reshaping South Asia and their implications for the wider world.
The conversation begins with India's increasingly complicated relationship with Washington. Can New Delhi rely on the United States under Donald Trump? And does Washington fully appreciate India's importance to American strategy?
Attention then turns to Pakistan.
How much control does Pakistan's civilian government actually exercise? Can its military manage simultaneous security challenges in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and along the Afghan border? And what do the country's internal struggles mean for its longstanding confrontation with India?


The discussion also examines three increasingly consequential relationships:


Pakistan and Saudi Arabia: Could Islamabad's security commitments draw Pakistani forces into a confrontation with Yemen's Houthis? What might this mean for India and regional security?

Pakistan and China: With Chinese investments and the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor exposed to political instability and insurgency, how far will Beijing go to protect its interests?

Pakistan and India: Is Pakistan still capable of sustaining a major conventional confrontation with India, or have its economic and internal security problems fundamentally changed the strategic balance?  

Show Notes:

👉🏻 About Ravi Shankar LTGEN (Ret.) Ravi Shankar is a former Director General of Artillery in the Indian Army and a leading commentator on Indian defence, military strategy and regional security. He writes and speaks extensively on India’s strategic challenges, military modernisation, China, Pakistan and the changing character of warfare. 

Shankar's excellent YouTube Channel, The Gunners Shot, can be found here: https://gunnersshot.com/
 

🔗 Contact Shankar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/palepu-ravi-shankar-084980214/  

Pakistan is under pressure. Its economy is struggling, insurgencies threaten internal stability, and tensions with India remain unresolved. But with China investing heavily in its strategic infrastructure and Saudi Arabia deepening its defence relationship with Islamabad, could Pakistan's problems become a much wider regional crisis? In the inaugural edition of Dispatches from India, Dr John Bruni speaks with Major General (Ret.) P.R. Shankar of the Indian Army about the geopolitical forces reshaping South Asia and their implications for the wider world. The conversation begins with India's increasingly complicated relationship with Washington. Can New Delhi rely on the United States under Donald Trump? And does Washington fully appreciate India's importance to American strategy? Attention then turns to Pakistan. How much control does Pakistan's civilian government actually exercise? Can its military manage simultaneous security challenges in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and along the Afghan border? And what do the country's internal struggles mean for its longstanding confrontation with India?
 The discussion also examines three increasingly consequential relationships:
 Pakistan and Saudi Arabia: Could Islamabad's security commitments draw Pakistani forces into a confrontation with Yemen's Houthis? What might this mean for India and regional security?
Pakistan and China: With Chinese investments and the China&ndash;Pakistan Economic Corridor exposed to political instability and insurgency, how far will Beijing go to protect its interests?
Pakistan and India: Is Pakistan still capable of sustaining a major conventional confrontation with India, or have its economic and internal security problems fundamentally changed the strategic balance?  
Show Notes:
👉🏻 About Ravi Shankar LTGEN (Ret.) Ravi Shankar is a former Director General of Artillery in the Indian Army and a leading commentator on Indian defence, military strategy and regional security. He writes and speaks extensively on India&rsquo;s strategic challenges, military modernisation, China, Pakistan and the changing character of warfare.&nbsp;
Shankar's excellent YouTube Channel, The Gunners Shot, can be found here: https://gunnersshot.com/ &nbsp;
🔗 Contact Shankar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/palepu-ravi-shankar-084980214/ &nbsp;

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 Australia, work as a university lecturer, senatorial foreign affairs adviser, analyst for Jane’s Intelligence Review, and Gulf-based military analyst.

Produced by Neil Smart, The Focus cuts through the noise of biased media to deliver sharp, informed insights into the major issues shaping Australia and the world. In an age of global disruption and complexity, knowing which questions to ask is more vital than ever.

The Focus&nbsp;is the flagship current affairs podcast of&nbsp;SAGE International, an independent, Adelaide-based geopolitical &nbsp;think tank.
Hosted by&nbsp;Dr. John Bruni&mdash;a veteran geopolitical commentator with over 24 years in the Australian media&mdash;The Focus&nbsp;brings a critical edge to global affairs. John's expertise is built on decades of experience, including time with the&nbsp;Royal United Services Institute of Australia, work as a university lecturer, senatorial foreign affairs adviser, analyst for&nbsp;Jane&rsquo;s Intelligence Review, and Gulf-based military analyst.
Produced by&nbsp;Neil Smart,&nbsp;The Focus&nbsp;cuts through the noise of biased media to deliver sharp, informed insights into the major issues shaping Australia and the world. In an age of global disruption and complexity, knowing which questions to ask is more vital than ever.

The Focus

Dispatches from India | Pakistan Caught between India, Saudi Arabia & China | LTGEN (Ret.) Ravi Shankar

You’ve heard the extraordinary UAP claims. But how do you judge them when the evidence remains out of reach?

Harvard astrophysicist Professor Avi Loeb joins Dr John Bruni on The Focus to examine the claims surrounding Jay Stratton—and the questions that matter if you want to separate compelling testimony from verifiable evidence.

At stake is more than whether we are alone. It is how we decide whom to trust, what governments should disclose, and what would actually count as proof.

We explore: • Jay Stratton’s claims: what can we independently verify? • The limits of second- and third-hand testimony. • Why so much of the UAP story centres on the United States. • What decades of alleged encounters tell us—or fail to tell us—about intent. • How scientific investigation can move the discussion forward.

For anyone caught between “it’s all nonsense” and “the government knows everything,” this conversation offers a way to ask better questions while keeping an open mind.
What evidence would persuade you that a UAP has a non-human origin? And what would you need to know about how that evidence was collected? Tell us in the comments.

Subscribe to The Focus for conversations that help you question claims, weigh evidence and understand what matters.

The Focus | Episode 120

 Host: Dr John Bruni, SAGE International

Guest: Professor Avi Loeb

Challenge the Assumption. Test the System. Identify the Consequence

#AviLoeb #JayStratton #UAP

Show Notes: 

ABOUT AVI
Professor Avi Loeb is the Frank B. Baird, Jr., Professor of Science at Harvard University, director of the Galileo Project and chair of the UAP Science Advisory Council. He previously chaired Harvard’s Department of Astronomy (2011–2020) and was the founding director of its Black Hole Initiative. A bestselling author and astrophysicist, Avi investigates how scientific observation can help answer one of humanity’s biggest questions: are we alone?
BOOKS (Bestsellers) — 
• Interstellar: The Search for Extraterrestrial Life and Our Future in the Stars (2023; paperback 2024) An exploration of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence and what contact could mean for humanity. Book details
• Extraterrestrial: The First Sign of Intelligent Life Beyond Earth (2021) A New York Times bestseller presenting Avi’s argument that the interstellar object ‘Oumuamua could have been evidence of extraterrestrial technology. Book details

FURTHER READING & RESOURCES


Avi’s article discussed in this episode “First Triangulation Results in Search for UAP by the Galileo Project Observatories” — Medium, 24 September 2026. Why measuring an object’s distance matters when judging its speed—and what the Galileo Project’s initial observations revealed. 

https://avi-loeb.medium.com/first-triangulation-results-in-search-for-uap-by-the-galileo-project-observatories-eacc4798a538


The Galileo Project Explore the project’s research, observatories and scientific approach to investigating possible extraterrestrial technology. 

https://galileo.hsites.harvard.edu/

Scientific American on the UAP Science Advisory Council “The White House goes all in on aliens with new UAP Science Advisory Council” — 2 July 2026. Background reporting on the council and Avi’s role.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-white-house-goes-all-in-on-aliens-with-new-uap-science-advisory-council/

MORE FROM AVI


Continue exploring Avi’s research and ideas on his own YouTube channel:

 Professor Avi Loeb on YouTube

You&rsquo;ve heard the extraordinary UAP claims. But how do you judge them when the evidence remains out of reach?
Harvard astrophysicist Professor Avi Loeb joins Dr John Bruni on The Focus to examine the claims surrounding Jay Stratton&mdash;and the questions that matter if you want to separate compelling testimony from verifiable evidence.
At stake is more than whether we are alone. It is how we decide whom to trust, what governments should disclose, and what would actually count as proof.
We explore: &bull; Jay Stratton&rsquo;s claims: what can we independently verify? &bull; The limits of second- and third-hand testimony. &bull; Why so much of the UAP story centres on the United States. &bull; What decades of alleged encounters tell us&mdash;or fail to tell us&mdash;about intent. &bull; How scientific investigation can move the discussion forward.
For anyone caught between &ldquo;it&rsquo;s all nonsense&rdquo; and &ldquo;the government knows everything,&rdquo; this conversation offers a way to ask better questions while keeping an open mind. What evidence would persuade you that a UAP has a non-human origin? And what would you need to know about how that evidence was collected? Tell us in the comments.
Subscribe to The Focus for conversations that help you question claims, weigh evidence and understand what matters.
The Focus | Episode 120
 Host: Dr John Bruni, SAGE International
Guest: Professor Avi Loeb
Challenge the Assumption. Test the System. Identify the Consequence
#AviLoeb #JayStratton #UAP
Show Notes:&nbsp;
ABOUT AVI Professor Avi Loeb is the Frank B. Baird, Jr., Professor of Science at Harvard University, director of the Galileo Project and chair of the UAP Science Advisory Council. He previously chaired Harvard&rsquo;s Department of Astronomy (2011&ndash;2020) and was the founding director of its Black Hole Initiative. A bestselling author and astrophysicist, Avi investigates how scientific observation can help answer one of humanity&rsquo;s biggest questions: are we alone? BOOKS (Bestsellers) &mdash;&nbsp; &bull; Interstellar: The Search for Extraterrestrial Life and Our Future in the Stars (2023; paperback 2024) An exploration of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence and what contact could mean for humanity. Book details &bull; Extraterrestrial: The First Sign of Intelligent Life Beyond Earth (2021) A New York Times bestseller presenting Avi&rsquo;s argument that the interstellar object &lsquo;Oumuamua could have been evidence of extraterrestrial technology. Book details
FURTHER READING &amp; RESOURCES
 Avi&rsquo;s article discussed in this episode &ldquo;First Triangulation Results in Search for UAP by the Galileo Project Observatories&rdquo; &mdash; Medium, 24 September 2026. Why measuring an object&rsquo;s distance matters when judging its speed&mdash;and what the Galileo Project&rsquo;s initial observations revealed. 
https://avi-loeb.medium.com/first-triangulation-results-in-search-for-uap-by-the-galileo-project-observatories-eacc4798a538
 The Galileo Project Explore the project&rsquo;s research, observatories and scientific approach to investigating possible extraterrestrial technology. 
https://galileo.hsites.harvard.edu/
Scientific American on the UAP Science Advisory Council &ldquo;The White House goes all in on aliens with new UAP Science Advisory Council&rdquo; &mdash; 2 July 2026. Background reporting on the council and Avi&rsquo;s role.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-white-house-goes-all-in-on-aliens-with-new-uap-science-advisory-council/
MORE FROM AVI
 Continue exploring Avi&rsquo;s research and ideas on his own YouTube channel:
 Professor Avi Loeb on YouTube

Where’s the Evidence? | Prof. Avi Loeb

Hitting Russia harder might inflict more damage. But what turns that damage into victory—and what would victory actually look like?

Former US Army Europe commander Lieutenant General (Ret.) Ben Hodges joins Dr John Bruni on The Focus Podcast to examine Ukraine’s options, Russia’s vulnerabilities and the difficult choices facing Western governments.

At the centre of the conversation is a hard strategic question: how does striking Russia’s oil and gas export capacity translate into a decisive military outcome?

And there is a wider dilemma. If Russian energy exports are squeezed while conflict in the Middle East puts supplies under pressure, how much economic pain can Ukraine’s supporters absorb? Military forces themselves need fuel—and the ability to sustain a war matters as much as the ability to strike.

We explore: 

• The link between economic damage and battlefield results. 

• What a credible strategy for Ukrainian victory requires. 

• The energy pressures facing both military forces and civilian economies. 

• Whether Western ambition is matched by the resources and resolve to deliver.

A direct conversation about the gap between hitting harder and achieving a lasting strategic result.

What do you think: what would turn pressure on Russia into a decisive outcome? Leave your view in the comments.

Subscribe to The Focus Podcast from SAGE International for more conversations on geopolitics, defence and statecraft. If this discussion makes you think, share it.

#Ukraine #BenHodges #Russia

Show Notes:

ABOUT BEN HODGES

Lieutenant General (Ret.) Ben Hodges served as Commanding General of United States Army Europe from 2014 to 2017 and previously commanded NATO Allied Land Command in İzmir, Turkey, from 2012 to 2014.

A 1980 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, he served in the US Army for nearly four decades. His operational experience included commanding the 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division in Iraq and serving as Director of Operations for Regional Command South in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

He retired in January 2018 and subsequently held the Pershing Chair in Strategic Studies at the Center for European Policy Analysis.

BOOK

Future War and the Defence of Europe (Oxford University Press, 2021) By John R. Allen, Frederick Ben Hodges and Julian Lindley-French.

An examination of Europe’s defence challenges, the future of NATO and the transatlantic relationship, and the ways changing technology is reshaping deterrence and warfare. The authors consider what European states and their allies must do to preserve peace and build credible defence capabilities.

Book information — Oxford University Press

ABOUT THE HOST

Dr John Bruni is the founder and CEO of SAGE International and host of The Focus Podcast. His work examines geopolitics, defence, international security and strategic decision-making.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

What would a credible strategy for Ukrainian victory require—and are Western governments prepared to sustain it?

Share your thoughts in the comments, subscribe to The Focus Podcast, and share this episode with others interested in the choices shaping European security.

Hitting Russia harder might inflict more damage. But what turns that damage into victory&mdash;and what would victory actually look like?
Former US Army Europe commander Lieutenant General (Ret.) Ben Hodges joins Dr John Bruni on The Focus Podcast to examine Ukraine&rsquo;s options, Russia&rsquo;s vulnerabilities and the difficult choices facing Western governments.
At the centre of the conversation is a hard strategic question: how does striking Russia&rsquo;s oil and gas export capacity translate into a decisive military outcome?
And there is a wider dilemma. If Russian energy exports are squeezed while conflict in the Middle East puts supplies under pressure, how much economic pain can Ukraine&rsquo;s supporters absorb? Military forces themselves need fuel&mdash;and the ability to sustain a war matters as much as the ability to strike.
We explore: 
&bull; The link between economic damage and battlefield results. 
&bull; What a credible strategy for Ukrainian victory requires. 
&bull; The energy pressures facing both military forces and civilian economies. 
&bull; Whether Western ambition is matched by the resources and resolve to deliver.
A direct conversation about the gap between hitting harder and achieving a lasting strategic result.
What do you think: what would turn pressure on Russia into a decisive outcome? Leave your view in the comments.
Subscribe to The Focus Podcast from SAGE International for more conversations on geopolitics, defence and statecraft. If this discussion makes you think, share it.
#Ukraine #BenHodges #Russia
Show Notes:
ABOUT BEN HODGES
Lieutenant General (Ret.) Ben Hodges served as Commanding General of United States Army Europe from 2014 to 2017 and previously commanded NATO Allied Land Command in İzmir, Turkey, from 2012 to 2014.
A 1980 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, he served in the US Army for nearly four decades. His operational experience included commanding the 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division in Iraq and serving as Director of Operations for Regional Command South in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
He retired in January 2018 and subsequently held the Pershing Chair in Strategic Studies at the Center for European Policy Analysis.
BOOK
Future War and the Defence of Europe (Oxford University Press, 2021) By John R. Allen, Frederick Ben Hodges and Julian Lindley-French.
An examination of Europe&rsquo;s defence challenges, the future of NATO and the transatlantic relationship, and the ways changing technology is reshaping deterrence and warfare. The authors consider what European states and their allies must do to preserve peace and build credible defence capabilities.
Book information &mdash; Oxford University Press
ABOUT THE HOST
Dr John Bruni is the founder and CEO of SAGE International and host of The Focus Podcast. His work examines geopolitics, defence, international security and strategic decision-making.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
What would a credible strategy for Ukrainian victory require&mdash;and are Western governments prepared to sustain it?
Share your thoughts in the comments, subscribe to The Focus Podcast, and share this episode with others interested in the choices shaping European security.

Hitting Russia Harder—But What Does Victory Look Like? | Ben Hodges

Could the November 2026 US midterms reshape Donald Trump’s presidency—and how far would the consequences travel beyond America?


Dr John Bruni welcomes Professor Scott Lucas to The Focus for a discussion of the prospect of a Democratic “blue wave”, the pressures facing the Republican Party, and the capacity of America’s institutions to hold presidential power accountable.


At the centre of the conversation is a question with global implications: if Trump faces a serious electoral setback, what happens next?


The discussion explores Republican loyalty, JD Vance’s political future, election integrity, press freedom and the relationship between domestic political pressure and America’s behaviour abroad. For Australia and other US allies, these questions have direct implications for the reliability of American leadership and the assumptions underpinning their security.


Show Notes:


ABOUT SCOTT LUCAS


Professor Scott Lucas is Professor of International Politics at the Clinton Institute, University College Dublin, and Professor Emeritus of International Politics at the University of Birmingham. He is also the founder and editor of EA WorldView, which provides news and analysis of US politics and international affairs.


An academic and journalist, Scott specialises in American politics and foreign policy, media and propaganda, and intelligence services. He brings decades of experience to examining presidential power, the resilience of democratic institutions and the global consequences of political change in Washington.


Read Scott’s analysis at EA WorldView.


Have your say: Would a major Republican defeat weaken Trump’s hold on the party? And should Australia be doing more to prepare for uncertainty in Washington?


Watch The Focus: https://www.youtube.com/@thefocus_SAGEIntl


Explore SAGE International: https://sageinternational.com.au


Follow The Focus on your preferred podcast platform, leave a review and share this episode.
Host: Dr John Bruni Guest: Professor Scott Lucas Producers: Neil Smart & Lin Siah A podcast of SAGE International.

Challenge the assumption, test the system, identify the consequence  

Could the November 2026 US midterms reshape Donald Trump&rsquo;s presidency&mdash;and how far would the consequences travel beyond America?
 Dr John Bruni welcomes Professor Scott Lucas to The Focus for a discussion of the prospect of a Democratic &ldquo;blue wave&rdquo;, the pressures facing the Republican Party, and the capacity of America&rsquo;s institutions to hold presidential power accountable.
 At the centre of the conversation is a question with global implications: if Trump faces a serious electoral setback, what happens next?
 The discussion explores Republican loyalty, JD Vance&rsquo;s political future, election integrity, press freedom and the relationship between domestic political pressure and America&rsquo;s behaviour abroad. For Australia and other US allies, these questions have direct implications for the reliability of American leadership and the assumptions underpinning their security.
 Show Notes:
 ABOUT SCOTT LUCAS
 Professor Scott Lucas is Professor of International Politics at the Clinton Institute, University College Dublin, and Professor Emeritus of International Politics at the University of Birmingham. He is also the founder and editor of EA WorldView, which provides news and analysis of US politics and international affairs.
 An academic and journalist, Scott specialises in American politics and foreign policy, media and propaganda, and intelligence services. He brings decades of experience to examining presidential power, the resilience of democratic institutions and the global consequences of political change in Washington.
 Read Scott&rsquo;s analysis at EA WorldView.
 Have your say: Would a major Republican defeat weaken Trump&rsquo;s hold on the party? And should Australia be doing more to prepare for uncertainty in Washington?
 Watch The Focus: https://www.youtube.com/@thefocus_SAGEIntl
 Explore SAGE International: https://sageinternational.com.au
 Follow The Focus on your preferred podcast platform, leave a review and share this episode. Host: Dr John Bruni Guest: Professor Scott Lucas Producers: Neil Smart &amp; Lin Siah A podcast of SAGE International.
Challenge the assumption, test the system, identify the consequence &nbsp;

Dispatches from India | Pakistan Caught between India, Saudi Arabia & China | LTGEN (Ret.) Ravi Shankar

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