Australian statecraft in the Middle Power moment

Drinks with Professor Bec Strating FAIIA

Hosted by Professor Vin Massaro

Professor Bec Strating FAIIA is the Director of the La Trobe Centre for Global Security and a Professor of International Relations at La Trobe University, Melbourne. She is currently the Australian Member Committee Co-Chair of the Council on Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific and serves as an Australian representative in the Expert and Eminent Persons Grouping in the ASEAN Regional Forum. Her research focuses primarily on Asian regional security, maritime disputes, and Australian foreign and defence policy. Among other publications, Bec is the author of ‘Girt by Sea: reimagining Australia’s Security’ with Professor Joanne Wallis (La Trobe University Press/Black Inc, 2024), which was launched by Foreign Minister Penny Wong in April 2024. 

Australian statecraft in the Middle Power moment.

Australia’s foreign and defence policy has long been anchored in the US alliance, but renewed volatility under the second Trump administration is challenging the assumptions that have underpinned it. While China remains central to Australian threat perception, growing uncertainty about US commitment, priorities, and reliability is reshaping how risks are understood and prioritised. This talk examines the extent to which the actions of the Trump administration can and are driving a recalibration of Australian statecraft in a “middle power moment.” It argues that Australian security policy is marked by both continued alliance dependence and expanded diplomatic, economic, and defence diversification.

Please join Bec in this timely discussion on how global uncertainty is reshaping Australia's strategic future.