Defence & Security Podcast Network

When the leaders of the world's two major powers meet, the world stops to take notice and nowhere is this clearer than in the recent meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping.
There is no escaping the fact that the US–China relationship will be the defining factor of the 21st century, for good or for ill.
Join Contested Ground hosts, Steve Kuper and Major General (Ret'd) Dr Marcus Thompson, as they deep dive into the real-world ramifications and fallout following the meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping.
The pair discuss the shared US–China interest in preventing a renewed trade war and keeping the fragile trade truce intact.
Strategically, Taiwan remains the most sensitive and unresolved issue. Xi Jinping frames it as the central risk in the bilateral relationship and warns of the consequences of mismanagement, while Trump largely avoids escalation during formal engagements, later suggesting continued engagement on the issue without committing to a clear stance.
Across the wider strategic agenda, the pair cover discussions on military posture, technology restrictions, sanctions and third-party conflicts such as Ukraine, Iran and the Middle East.
The pair also discuss the state mutual preference to avoid escalation amid broader global instability, including energy security concerns and supply chain fragility.
Finally, they discuss Xi's messaging, which emphasises long-term great-power coexistence, multipolar stability and opposition to bloc confrontation. This presents China as a steady global actor advocating managed competition alongside the traditional Trump approach of more transactional realpolitik, centred on trade, investment flows and market stability, with an emphasis on maintaining flexibility and direct leader-to-leader communication.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Contested Ground team

Daniel Croft and David Hollingworth tackle the challenges of linking your finances to an AI agent, break down the Qilin ransomware group's Aussie rampage, the ransom payment dilemma, and round up a week of wins for fighting cyber crime.

Australians may soon be able to link their banking details directly with platforms like OpenAI, but is that wise? Croft has recently uncovered a stellar example of why you may want to think twice before clicking "Yes".
The pair have been investigating a trio of Qilin ransomware attacks this week, and the victims are all investigating the hackers' claims – but Qilin is acting very strange and not sharing any details of the hacks themselves. Hollingworth and Croft have some suspicions, making this a threat intelligence assessment not to miss.
The podcast closes out with a week of law enforcement wins, with cyber criminals both abroad and at home getting their just deserts. You love to see it.
Just another week in cyber security.
Enjoy,
The Cyber Uncut team

Can Australia's defence industrial base and military modernisation efforts keep pace with growing strategic pressures and capability demands?
In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, journalist Bethany Alvaro and senior journalist Robert Dougherty discuss Kongsberg's missile manufacturing facility in Newcastle and plans to produce Naval Strike Missiles and Joint Strike Missiles in Australia.
The discussion also explores the federal government's launch of the Collins Class life of type extension program, designed to sustain Australia's submarine capability during the transition towards the future AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine fleet.
Attention then turns to the delivery of additional AH-64E Apache attack helicopters to the Australian Army.
The podcast also examines reports identifying Port Kembla as the preferred east coast base for Australia's future nuclear submarine fleet, as well as Operator XR securing its first European defence contract with the Swedish Armed Forces for virtual reality tactical training systems.
Rounding out the episode, the team analyses Russia's recent Victory Day parade, including the reduced display of military hardware and the growing influence of drone warfare.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team

Daniel Croft and David Hollingworth analyse the Albanese government's budget, the Instructure breach and ransom payments, and Dan Marks from Austrade chats with SailPoint's federal chief technology officer.

Jim Chalmers has handed down another Labor budget, and while it seems like not a lot for cyber security, Hollingworth thinks the heavy lifting has already been done – do you agree?
Then it's on to a massive issue – do you pay a ransom to cyber criminals? That is possibly what learning platform provider Instructure may have done. The pair break that down, from the morality to the fact that sometimes, that may be the best choice. But can you trust a criminal? The jury, as they say, is out.
And once again, we are joined by Dan Marks, investment director and cyber security lead for Austrade, who sat down with Frank Briguglio, federal chief technology officer at SailPoint, at the recent RSA Conference.
Just another week in cyber security.
Enjoy,
The Cyber Uncut team

What drives the passion behind flying and preserving some of the world's most iconic military aircraft?
And how can air shows inspire the next generation of aviators, engineers and defence personnel?
Find out in this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast as senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by aerobatic pilot and renowned warbird aviation enthusiast Paul Bennet, founder of Paul Bennet Airshows.
Fresh from preparation flights for Australia's largest regional air show, Wings Over Shellharbour 2026, Bennet discusses his lifelong passion for aviation, which began with model aircraft and evolving into flying aerobatic aircraft and some of the world's most recognisable warbirds.
Bennet operates and flies an extensive collection of historic and aerobatic aircraft, including the Hawker Sea Fury, de Havilland Vampire, F4U Corsair, CAC Wirraway, T-28 Trojan, Grumman Avenger and two Yak-52 aircraft. He maintains the collection while regularly flying Mustang, Kitty Hawk and Hurricane fighters alongside competing in aerobatics and performing internationally.
Drawing on decades of experience in aviation operations, aircraft ownership and international air show performances, Bennet discusses the engineering, maintenance and operational realities of preserving historic military aircraft while promoting aviation to future generations.
The podcast conversation includes the following topics:
The origins of Bennet's passion for aviation, aerobatics and warbird aircraft.
Flying characteristics and performance differences between aircraft, including the Sea Fury, Spitfire, Mustang and early jet aircraft such as the Vampire.
The operational challenges of maintaining historic military aircraft, including sourcing parts, engineering replacements and preserving authenticity.
Australia's warbird preservation community, aviation museums and the importance of supporting historic aircraft collections.
The rarity and restoration difficulties associated with Axis aircraft such as the Japanese Zero and German Bf 109.
The role of air shows in promoting aviation, defence recruitment and STEM education pathways for young Australians.
Comparisons between Australian, US and South Korean air show culture and military participation.
Opportunities for collaboration between the defence industry, aviation enthusiasts and advanced manufacturing supply chains in
Australia as well as the give and take of working with the Australian Defence Force.
Career pathways into aviation, including military aviation, commercial flying, aerobatics and flight instruction.
Finally, the discussion explores the future of Australian air shows, the importance of growing aviation engagement nationally, and Bennet's ambitions to continue expanding both his aircraft collection and international air show presence.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team