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Newsroom FeedNewsroom
US-Iran tensions continue post-nuclear summit
29 March 2012
Radio Australia Connect Asia
Iran and its nuclear ambitions continue to be the subject of much foreign affairs angst across the political spectrum. US Studies Centre Research Associate Tom Switzer examines what it means for Obama and the Republican candidates in an election year. Listen Online
Joe Bozich on the success of his ethical apparel brand Alta Gracia
29 March 2012
Founder of the US college clothing giant Knights Apparel, Joe Bozich, talks about how he has pioneered a new ethical business model through his Alta Gracia brand. Based in the Dominican Republic, the factory pays it's workers over three times the country's minimum monthly wage and respects their rights to safe working conditions and freedom of association. He begins by discussing what makes the Alta Gracia project special. Watch Online
Cocus Island drones show strong US-Australian alliance
28 March 2012
Sky Business News Day
Following reports that an American surveillance base will be built on the Australian Territory of the Cocus Islands, Adam Lockyer discusses the implications for the US-Australian alliance. Watch Online
What's next on the US campaign trail?
28 March 2012
Sky Business The Perrett Report
Chair in US Media and Atlantic Correspondent Professor James Fallows talks about the differences between US and Australian politics, the direction of the Republican presidential primaries and his predictions for the general election in November. Watch Online
What the Huawei case tells us about the Australia, US, China nexus
28 March 2012
The Conversation
When the Australian intelligence agency ASIO recommended Chinese company Huawei be banned from tendering in Australia's National Broadbank Network, questions were raised about how the agency came to its decision. Did American intelligence play a role? The Conversation talked to US Studies Centre lecturer in US politics and foreign policy Adam Lockyer to find out. Read article
Looking into the DNA of our future leaders
28 March 2012
ABC Radio National Religion and Ethics Report
Should we know, in advance, if candidates—especially candidates for an office as powerful as the American presidency—are genetically pre-disposed to mental or physical conditions that could affect their ability to make big decisions? Professor of Legal Policy at the US Studies Centre David Weisbrot has serious reservations. Listen Online
Speculation over a new US-Australia defense base deal
28 March 2012
2SER The Wire
Speculation has been increasing that a deal is being negotiated between US and Australian officials to use the Cocus Islands for a surveillance drone base. Lecturer in US Foreign Policy, Dr Adam Lockyer, says it is an important strategic issue for both nations but legal and diplomatic challenges lie ahead. Listen Online
New CEO for the United States Studies Centre
27 March 2012
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney, Mr Malcolm Binks today announced the appointment of Dr Bates Gill as its new Chief Executive Officer to succeed Professor Geoffrey Garrett. Read more
Rag trader cuts from ethical cloth
27 March 2012
The Australian
Can a clothing manufacturer pay its workers a living wage and still remain profitable? Founder and chief executive of Knights Apparel Joe Bozich, who is in Australia as a guest of the US Studies Centre and NSW Trade & Investment, says it is possible — and his brand Alta Gracia is proving it. Read article
Good business and doing good go hand in hand
27 March 2012
SBS Radio World News Australia
Nearly two years ago the founder of US clothing company giant Knights Apparel set out on an audacious plan, convinced that doing good and good business were not opposing forces. Joseph Bozich explains the personal and business reasons behind his decision and how his Alta Gracia project has progressed. Bozich is in Australia as a guest of the US Studies Centre and NSW Trade & Investment. Listen Online
Taking the ethical path in business
26 March 2012
SBS TV World News Australia
The lure of using sweatshop labour in the clothing business is something many manufacturers find too tempting to pass up. But US apparel maker Joe Bozich is hoping to make a chance with his company, Alta Gracia. Bozich is in Australia as a guest of the US Studies Centre and NSW Trade & Investment. Watch Online
US Ethical Manufacturing Leader to Speak at University of Sydney
26 March 2012
One of America’s most successful ethical manufacturing leaders, Joe Bozich, will speak at a public event at the University of Sydney’s Great Hall tomorrow afternoon Tuesday 27 March.
Mr Bozich, the founder of the biggest supplier of licensed college apparel in the US, Knights Apparel, will share how his Alta Gracia brand is employing a new model of ethical business through its factory in the Dominican Republic. Read more
Leading the way for a new ethical model
26 March 2012
Sky Business Trading Day
In an industry usually assosciated with sweatshop labour, the CEO and founder of US clothing manufacturing company Knights Apparel, Joe Bozich, has led the way in developing a new ethical business model. Can profit and purpose go hand in hand? Watch Online
Do we care how our clothes are made?
26 March 2012
ABC Radio National Drive
Recent revelations about the plight of factory workers in the developing world have once again put the ethical practices of the manufacturing business under the spotlight. Joe Bozich, CEO of US clothing giant Knights Apparel, dicusses what he's done to improve conditions for factory workers in the developing world. Bozich is in Australia as a guest of the US Studies Centre and NSW Trade & Investment. Listen Online
Codes of human settlement would make safer communities
26 March 2012
The Canberra Times
Recent reports into the Queensland floods and Victorian bushfires have been focused on what was not done well in the past, says US Studies Centre's Honorary Professor in Urban Policy Edward Blakely, but none provide a guide for how to deal with disasters in the future. The answer, Professor Blakely says, is to adopt international human settlement codes, which will enable communities to create more resilient and longer term approaches to disaster. Read article
Illinois's primary, Jeb Bush's endorsement, and Tim Tebow
25 March 2012
ABC News Radio Inside America
US Studies Centre Research Associate John Barron looks at the latest in American political and cultural news for his weekly ABC News Radio show. This week he talks to Chicago political analyst Paul Lisnek about the recent primary contest in Illinois, Republican strategist Ford O'Connell on Jeb Bush's endorsement of Mitt Romney, and to Sam Chi about the famously devout NFL star Tim Tebow. Listen online
Should Australian troops be brought home from Afghanistan?
25 March 2012
The Sunday Herald Sun
Do Australian troops in Afghanistan provide vital support to the development of local civic institutions, or are they engaged in a futile campaign with no clear mission in a tribally divided land? US Studies Centre Research Associate Tom Switzer argues that it's time to withdraw, while the Lowy Institute's James Brown makes the case for staying. Read article
Does Mitt Romney have trust issues?
23 March 2012
ABC TV Planet America
Gaffe-prone Mitt Romney is now facing another scandal, this time over a statement suggesting his campaign is as changeable as an Etch-A-Sketch. US Studies Centre Lecturer Dr Harry Melkonian talks to John Barron about what it says about Romney and whether it will it affect his chances in the general election. Watch Online
Hunt for the politician gene leads to a dark place
22 March 2012
Sydney Morning Herald
Remarkable advances in science and technology are eroding the personal dignity and privacy of those seeking election, says US Studies Centre Professor of Legal Policy David Weisbrot. With tax and medical records already demanded, will a future electorate demand that every presidential candidate make his DNA public? Read article
Romney's electability shines through in Illinois
21 March 2012
ABC TV The Drum
Mitt Romney's win in Illinois may have pushed him closer to the delegate count needed to win the Republican presidential nomination, but the real victory may have been in proving his electability in the suburbs. Research Associate at the US Studies Centre Tom Switzer talks to John Barron about what to look out for over the next few weeks of primary contests. Watch Online
Romney tries to look presidential on Illinois
21 March 2012
Sky Business
Romney is trying to shift the discussion in the Republican primary away from social issues to the topics he hopes to hammer Obama on in November; jobs and the economy. Dr David Smith analyses whether this rhetorical shift is working. Watch Online
Santorum second in Illinois but looking ahead
21 March 2012
Sky Business
Santorum may have placed second in the Illinois primary but he is already looking ahead to his home state of Pennsylvania to regain momentum. Dr David Smith assesses the candidates chances after the results in the Land of Lincoln. Watch Online
Illinois a must-win for Romney
21 March 2012
Sky Business
Illinois is a must-win state for Romney but exit polls say that over a third of voters in the state did not have strong feelings about the candidates they supported. Dr David Smith discusses the state of the race so far. Watch Online
Notes on America: Ethical business, Iran & Obama, Interns return
20 March 2012
In this edition:
- Entrepreneurship and human rights
- Israel/Iran standoff central in lead-up to election
- Washington DC interns return
- Events and commentary Read more
Women's bodies and US politics
19 March 2012
ABC Radio National Life Matters
Republican Congressional representatives and presidential candidates like Rick Santorum have recently thrust women's access to abortion and contraception into the spotlight. US Studies Centre post-doctoral fellow Dr. Nicole Hemmer talks to Radio National's Natasha Mitchell about why some Americans have begun saying there's a "war on women" being waged in the United States. Listen online
Ian Shapiro on US democracy, inequality and foreign policy
19 March 2012
Sterling Professor of Political Science at Yale University and visitor to the US Studies Centre, Professor Ian Shapiro is one of America's foremost political scientists and speakers. In this interview, he discusses the prospect of a second global financial crisis and the threat that both Afghanistan and Iran pose to the foreign policy goals of the US. He begins by discussing inequality in America and how money plays a crucial role in determining US presidents and their policies. Watch Online
What would President Romney do?
18 March 2012
ABC News Radio Inside America
If front-runner Mitt Romney wins the Republican nomination and defeats Obama in November, how would his foreign policy be different from his predecessor? Sterling Professor of Political Science at Yale University and visitor to the US Studies Centre, Professor Ian Shapiro, talks to John Barron about the challenges of Iran, Afghanistan and how they will play out domestically in the 2012 campaign. Listen Online
US in the World Lecture: Ian Shapiro
16 March 2012
US Studies Centre guest Professor Ian Shapiro is one of the United States' foremost political scientists and speakers. While visiting the Centre last week, he gave a lecture to the undergraduate US in the World class, discussing America's foreign policy challenges in the post Cold War world. Watch online
Queensland flood report doesn't go far enough
16 March 2012
ABC News 24
The report into the Queensland floods that devastated much of the state last year has not gone far enough to prevent a similar disaster happening again, says Honorary Professor in Urban Policy and disaster recovery expert Edward Blakley. Rather than offering closure for those affected by the floods, Blakely says it may open up a new chapter of recriminations. Watch Online
Killings accentuate pressure for early Afghan withdrawl
15 March 2012
ABC Radio Australia Connect Asia
The NATO-led mission in Afghanistan has been dealt two major blows recently, with the burning of copies of the Koran and the shooting of 16 civilians, including women and children, by a rogue US soldier. Research Assosciate at the US Studies Centre Tom Switzer discusses what this means for moral, the scheduled withdrawl of troops by the US and the ongoing election campaign. Listen Online
Obama, explained
15 March 2012
The Atlantic
Is Barack Obama a skillful political player and policy visionary or a politically clumsy naif? For the cover story for the March edition of The Atlantic, US Studies Centre Chair of Media James Fallows interviewed a multitude of sources throughout Washington and the White House to discern whether the President is a chessmaster or a pawn. Read article
The Obama presidency: Will he get four more years?
15 March 2012
ABC Radio National Breakfast
As the Republican primary contests roll on, US President Barack Obama is preparing to run an election campaign of his own. US Studies Centre Chair of Media James Fallows talks to Fran Kelly about the President's chances of re-election, and discusses his cover story for the March issue of The Atlantic magazine, for which he interviewed a multitude of sources throughout Washington and the White House to discern Obama's approach to governing. Listen online
Gingrich the biggest loser in the South
14 March 2012
Sky News Lunch Agenda
After coming in third place in both the Alabama and Mississippi primaries, Newt Gingrich's campaign for the White House looks well and truly finished says Dr David Smith. Will he stay in the race? Watch Online
Romney to benefit from conservative split
14 March 2012
Sky Business
Rick Santorum looks like he will narrowly win the primary contests in Mississippi and Alabama with Romney benefiting from a split in the conservative vote between Santorum and Newt Gingrich, says Dr David Smith. Watch Online
Close result in Mississippi is promising for Romney
14 March 2012
Sky News
Mitt Romney may have lost both Alabama and Mississippi but a close result in the latter points to his electability against Obama in November says Dr David Smith. Watch Online
One take on income tax: it's a drag
14 March 2012
The Australian
The costs of complex income taxes are routinely underestimated and drag down real prosperity, Yale political science professor and visitor to the US Studies Centre Ian Shapiro said in an interview with The Australian. Income taxes are complex and expensive to administer, Professor Shapiro said, and redistribution is better carried out through government spending than a progressive tax system. Read article
Notes on America: Romney rolls on, seminars and congratulations
13 March 2012
In this edition:
- Alabama bound: Romney rolls on
- Democracy, foreign policy & Arab uprisings
- Congratulations for Centre scholars
- Events and commentary Read more
Death of American dream a danger to democracy
13 March 2012
ABC Radio The World Today
The Occupy Wall Street and Tea Party movements have both emerged in response to steadily increasingly levels of inequality in the US and have plunged American democracy into an unpredictable and potentially dangerous phase. Professor Ian Shapiro discusses how the global financial crisis caused the American Dream to explode in the faces of many ordinary citizens and how that is generating these protest movements. Professor Shapiro is a visitor at the US Studies Centre. Listen Online
Colossal challenges ahead for US foreign policy
13 March 2012
ABC TV News Breakfast
With conflicts reaching boiling point in Afghanistan, Syria and Iran, the US is increasingly being stretched overseas between domestic demands and international commitments. Professor Ian Shapiro discusses the options of the Obama administration in light of recent events in each of these areas and the long term affects that the 2012 election campaign may have on US foreign policy. Professor Shapiro is a visitor at the US Studies Centre. Watch Online
Tensions in Afghanistan symptomatic of a larger problem
13 March 2012
ABC News Radio
With tensions running high in Afghanistan after the killing of 16 civilians by a rogue US soldier, how will the Obama administration react? Professor Ian Shapiro, a visitor at the US Studies Centre, suggests that America is limping towards another ignominious end to an international conflict. What are Obama’s options for withdrawl in an election year? Listen Online
Expert Super Tuesday panel dissects the Republican primaries
11 March 2012
ABC News Radio Inside America
As part of the US Studies Centre's Super Tuesday event, ABC NewsRadio host John Barron moderated a expert panel including CEO Professor Geoffrey Garrett, Chair in US Media and National Correspondent of The Atlantic Monthly Professor James Fallows and Research Associate and Editor of The Spectator Australia Tom Switzer. What do the Super Tuesday results mean for the Republican candidates and who will win the presidency in November? Listen Online
Republican insiders all claiming to be outsiders
11 March 2012
ABC Radio National Sunday Extra
The two take-home messages from the recent round of Republican primaries in the US is that this contest will run and run and that you do yourself no harm by accusing your opponent of being an insider. US Studies Centre CEO Geoffrey Garrett discusses how close each of the candidates are to Washington interests and asks what the problem is with having some Washington insight. Listen Online
Wounded Romney limps to uncertain contest with Obama
10 March 2012
The Australian
Mitt Romney's strong showing in the Super Tuesday primaries this week demonstrated that he will almost certainly be the Republican Party's candidate in November's presidential election, but it will be a hard slog to the nomination, says US Studies Centre CEO Geoffrey Garrett. Romney will continue over the coming weeks and months as a presumptive nominee searching for momentum, looking weaker as the campaign continues. Nonetheless, even though the economy and President Barack Obama's poll numbers are improving, Republicans believe they still have a chance to win the presidency this year. Read article
Reporting the Republican primaries
9 March 2012
ABC Radio National Media Report
With the 24 hour media cycle, large partisan news organisations and highly staged managed public appearances by Republican candidates vying for the nomination to take on Obama in November, are we actually getting good journalism on the subject? Chair in US Media & National Correspondent for The Atlantic magazine James Fallows discusses how a combination of money and media are shaping the 2012 US Presidential elections. Listen Online
James Fallows analyses a big week in US politics
9 March 2012
ABC TV Planet America
Chair in US Media & National Correspondent for The Atlantic James Fallows talks to John Barron and Chas Licciardello about a big week in US Politics. From Super Tuesday to the threat of Iran and the historical parallels between Obama and Jimmy Carter, Professor Fallows assesses all the key issues affecting the race to the White House in 2012. Watch Online
What is left of the US right?
9 March 2012
The Canberra Times
It is entirely fair to say in historical terms this Republican primary has been contested by one of the weakest fields in recent memory. The group has included electoral losers, novelty candidates, the dim, and a flawed front-runner. Assosciate Professor Brendon OConnor asks do the current Republican primaries suggest American conservatism is still strong or rather does the election suggest that American conservatism is in a sorry state desperately fighting off its decline? Read Online
Like father, like son
8 March 2012
The Spectator Australia
In many ways, Mitt Romney is a lot like his father George, who ran as a Republican for the presidency in 1968. Both are handsome, moderate Mormons with a business background and a reputation for flip-flopping. Yet where George's campaign foundered, Mitt is the frontrunner in the 2012 race. US Studies Centre Post-Doctoral Fellow Nicole Hemmer says it's because Mitt Romney has one key point of difference with his father. Read article
Obama the big winner on Super Tuesday
7 March 2012
Australia Network Newsline
The so-called 'Super Tuesday' multi-state primaries produced a less than superlative result for any of the Republican presidential candidates, ironically making the incumbent Barack Obama seem the real winner on the day. Mitt Romney seems incapable of capturing the hearts of Republicans while Santorum cannot win over the minds. US Studies Centre CEO Geoffrey Garrett analyses whether the GOP can solve this conundrum before they face Obama in November. Watch Online
Republicans tearing each other apart
7 March 2012
ABC Radio PM
Super Tuesday is over, but the Republican presidential race still has no clear winner, with front-runner Mitt Romney taking no state convincingly except for his home state of Massachusetts. US Studies Centre Chair of US Media James Fallows discusses the divide in the Republican Party and why there is such mistrust for Romney, who seems on paper to be a strong general election candidate. Listen online
Is Romney unstoppable after Super Tuesday?
7 March 2012
ABC News Radio
With a mixed bag of results coming in after the Super Tuesday Republican primaries, US Politics Lecturer Dr Adam Lockyer analyses what they mean for the rest of the campaign. What are the main issues that won or lost voters for each of the candidates and are the handful of states won by Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich enough to stop front-runner Mitt Romney? Listen Online
What have we learned from Super Tuesday?
7 March 2012
The Conversation Online
Voting in the Super Tuesday Republican primaries has ended in every participating state except Alaska and the results have been mixed. Front runners Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum have all claimed states with Ohio on a knife edge but leaning towards Romney. Tom Switzer of the United States Studies Centre analyses what today’s results tell us about who will face President Barack Obama on election day in November. Read Online
The race is far from over after Super Tuesday
7 March 2012
Sky Business
Romney may have won a qualified victory in the multi-state Super Tuesday but he is heading for a brusing run in the next few weeks with primaries and caucuses in conservative southern states. Research Assosciate Tom Swtizer analyses the results and explains tat the race still has a way to go before the candidate is known. Watch Online
Romney battles on in Super Tuesday
7 March 2012
Sky News
With the delegates once again divided between the Republican candidates in most of the Super Tuesday contests, Romney nevertheless continues to inch ahead of his rivals. But as Research Associate Tom Switzer explains, his numerical advantage has not yet translated into a devastating blow that can wrap up the nomination. Watch Online
Super Tuesday paints a picture of division for the GOP
7 March 2012
Sky News PM Agenda
With Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum all picking up vital wins in the multi-state Super Tuesday primaries, the Republican party is projecting an image of division rather than one of unity heading towards the general election in November. US Studies Centre CEO Geoffrey Garrett talks to David Speers about what today's results mean for the race to the White House in 2012. Watch Online
Newcomer could still steal Republican nomination
7 March 2012
SBS Radio
Associate Professor Brendon O'Connor sees two possible scenarios for the Republican Party presidential nomination: Either Mitt Romney will get the required number of delegates to secure victory, or it will be decided at the convention itself. If Romney does not get enough delegates, the party could draft someone not currently in the race and select them on the convention floor. Listen online
Super Tuesday shows no clear winner
7 March 2012
ABC Radio National Drive
Mitt Romney is yet to clinch the Republic nomination, despite victories in six states in today's Super Tuesday ballot. Super Tuesday was supposed to bring clarity to the Republican nomination battle. US Studies Centre CEO Geoffrey Garrett explains that there is still no sign of a decisive leader emerging in the near future. Listen Online
Two very different views take centre stage on Super Tuesday
7 March 2012
2GB Money News
Two very different men have emerged as the main candidates in the race for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012. Mitt Romney looks perfect on paper but can't seal the deal with GOP base while Rick Santorum's brand of hard-line social conservatism looks unelectable on a national stage. US Studies Centre CEO Geoffrey Garrett dissects the candidates chances after the Super Tuesday primaries. Listen Online
Authenticity vs electability plays out on Super Tuesday
7 March 2012
3AW Drive
As 10 states went to the polls around the country on Super Tuesday, the 'authentic conservative' Rick Santorum battled the front-runner and establishment choice Mitt Romney for a share of the 437 delegates on offer. Associate Professor Brendon O'Connor talked to Derryn Hinch about where the race is going from here and whether the Republican party can heal the wounds from what is increasingly becoming a long, ugly campaign. Listen Online
'Anyone But Romney' the real story of Super Tuesday
7 March 2012
ABC Local Radio Sydney Drive
Mitt Romney may have won Ohio on Super Tuesday but with three states going to the poster-boy of the conservative base, Rick Santorum, the 'Anyone-But-Romney' vote is still driving the Republican primaries towards a contested Convention. US Studies Centre CEO Geoffrey Garrett talks to Richard Glover about what the GOP can do from here and where to next for the remaining candidates? Listen Online
Slim victory for Romney means long campaign to come
7 March 2012
ABC TV The Drum
Romney may have won a slim victory in Ohio but it might not be enough to force any of the other candidates out of the race before the Republican Convention. Research Associate Tom Switzer discusses each of the candidates performances and questions whether Santorum has proven himself unelectable. Watch Online
The winners and losers of Super Tuesday
7 March 2012
SBS TV World News Australia
With 10 states voting and over 400 delegates up for grabs, Associate Professor Brendon OConnor tells us who the winners and losers were from the Republican Super Tuesday primaries. Is it enough for Romney? Watch Online
Republicans head to the polls for Super Tuesday
7 March 2012
ABC TV News Breakfast
As Republicans head to the polls to vote for their preferred presidential nominee in the multi-state Super Tuesday contest, US Studies Centre CEO Geoffrey Garrett explains that even a good result for Mitt Romney may not be enough for him to seal the deal and look ahead to the general election against Obama in November. Watch Online
Where do the candidates stand on foreign policy?
6 March 2012
SBS World News Online
Lecturer at the US Studies Centre Dr Adam Lockyer explains the differences between the hawkish Rick Santorum, the apparent liberal Mitt Romney, libertarian Ron Paul and veteran lawmaker Newt Gingrich in one of the most crucial areas for any presidential hopeful, foreign policy. How different are they and is Rick Santorum really the 'toughest' on China and Iran? Read Online
Notes on America: Super Tuesday and Congratulations to Carr
6 March 2012
In this edition:
- Super Tuesday showdown focus on Ohio
- Congratulations to Carr
- Gas well integrity central to risk
- Events and commentary Read more
Walter Russell Mead talks to James Fallows about a nuclear Iran
6 March 2012
In an edited extract from the May edition of American Review, Chair in US Media and National Correspondent for The Atlantic Professor James Fallows talks to Editor-At-Large of The American Interest Walter Russell Mead about the potential challenges posed by a nuclear Iran. Could this point mark the end of recent nuclear non-proliferation attempts? And what should the US policy be towards Iran? Watch Online
Crunch time for the Republicans
6 March 2012
ABC The World Today
Visiting Professor at the US Studies Centre Simon Jackman talks to The World Today about why the Republican Party is tearing itself apart over who should be selected to run against Barack Obama in the presidential election later this year. Why might the process not end with tomorrow's traditionally decisive Super Tuesday, when voters in 10 states cast their vote? Listen Online
What the al Shabab-al Qaeda merger means for Australia
5 March 2012
The Conversation
A recent merger between the terror groups al Qaeda and al Shabab has been seen by some commentators as evidence of the groups' weakness, but US Studies Centre Research Associate Leah Farrall says such an assessment overlooks al Shabab's strengths. The merger will require al Shabab to pursue Western targets, and, considering it has the largest number of Western passport holders of any al Qaeda grouping, it is well placed to carry out such attacks. Australian members of al Shabab sought previously to carry out an attack under the group's name, and the merger puts Australia at a greater risk of being targeted. Read article
Super Tuesday only the start of Republican race
5 March 2012
Sky Business Late Agenda
Super Tuesday, normally the moment where the Republican nominee for President is locked in, has this year only revealed how long this campaign may go. US Studies Centre CEO Geoffrey Garrett and Research Associate Tom Switzer discuss each of the nominees chances in the 10 state primary contest and who is most likely to win the nomination. Watch Online
Super Tuesday - Wednesday March 7
5 March 2012
The multi-state Super Tuesday primaries (Wednesday 7 March Australian time) is the biggest event in the US elections to date and will be pivotal in determining the Republican candidate to challenge President Obama in November. On Super Tuesday, more delegates will be awarded than in the first two months of the Republican presidential race combined, with 10 states going to the polls to award more than 400 delegates. Read Online
Much to gain from collaboration between US and Australia on natural gas
2 March 2012
Sky Business On The Record
With the US over a decade ahead of Australia in the industry, Australian can learn much from the American experience in regulation, safety and risk management of natural gas projects. Carson Scott talks to Dr Ian Duncan and Scott Anderson about the similarities and differences between the two countries. Both were in Australia for seminars on unconventional gas production co-hosted by the United States Studies Centre's Climate, Energy and Water Nexus Project. Watch Online
Super Tuesday looms large for Romney
2 March 2012
ABC Planet America
Despite avoiding a potentially embarrassing loss in his home state of Michigan, the pressure is still on Mitt Romney to perform well on Super Tuesday. Associate Professor Brendon O’Connor talks to John Barron about the threat that Santorum still poses Romney and the states to watch this Tuesday. Watch Online
US Studies Centre congratulates Bob Carr
2 March 2012
US Studies Centre head Geoffrey Garrett has congratulated member of the Centre’s Board of Directors and former NSW Premier Bob Carr on his appointment as Australia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. Professor Garrett said Mr Carr has made invaluable contributions to the Centre and his deep knowledge of American history, politics and foreign policy will be a great asset in his new role. Read Online
Romney faces a not-so-Super Tuesday
2 March 2012
The Australian
With the multi-state Super Tuesday event just around the corner, Dr David Smith and Associate Professor Brendon O’Connor from the US Studies Centre identify some of the key battleground states that could determine the future of the Republican primaries and the candidate to take on Obama in November. Can Rick Santorum challenge the front-runner status of Mitt Romney or will Romney win the decisive victory he needs to wrap-up the race once and for all? Watch Online
Scott Anderson on the risks and opportunities of natural gas extraction
2 March 2012
Senior Policy Advisor at the Environmental Defense Fund and Visitor at the US Studies Centre, Scott Anderson, discusses the risks and opportunities offered by natural gas extraction. Although much of the criticism against natural gas production is targeted at hydraulic fracturing or 'fracking', Anderson says this has obscured the legitimate discussions that need to be taking place about regulation of the industry.
He says energy companies need to focus more on winning back community trust. He begins by discussing the risks inherent to shale gas production. Mr Anderson was in Australia for the unconventional gas production seminars co-hosted by the United States Studies Centre's Climate, Energy and Water Nexus Project. Watch Online
Dr Ian Duncan on the realities behind the demonisation of hydraulic fracturing
2 March 2012
The process of hydraulic fracturing or "fracking" has come under fire in both Australia and the US, with accusations by local communities of large scale air and water pollution caused by shale and coal seam gas extraction.Dr Ian Duncan, a Research Sceintist at the University of Texas at Austin and visitor at the US Studies Centre says that scientific studies have shown that many of these claims are either overstated or unrelated to the new shale gas projects.
His research points to areas that energy companies can improve on to make the projects safer in the long term. Dr Ian Duncan was in Australia for seminars on unconventional gas production co-hosted by the United States Studies Centre's Climate, Energy and Water Nexus Project Watch Online
US and Australia can share experiences in gas extraction
2 March 2012
ABC Country Hour NSW
With American natural gas projects nearly a decade ahead of their Australian counterparts, research scientist Dr Ian Duncan and Scott Anderson from the Environmental Defense Fund suggest that Australian companies can learn a lot from failures and innovations in the US.
While the US is still making improvements to it's regulatory environment to minimise the risks of natural gas extraction, some of the lessons they have learned in water management and well intergrity would be invaluable to Australian projects. Both experts were in in Australia for the unconventional gas production seminars co-hosted by the United States Studies Centre's Climate, Energy and Water Nexus Project. Listen Online
Assessing Al-Qaeda's capabilities on the ground
2 March 2012
IHS Defense, Security and Risk Consulting
Despite leadership losses, Al-Qaeda has exhibited significant consistency and continuity in its planning and training activities, making its current operational model far more resilient than appearances might suggest. Research Assosciate in Counter Terrorism Leah Farrall offers an assessment of Al-Qaeda that demonstrates how only a small number of recruits can allow the group to remain active even as it loses it's most senior leaders. Read Online
GOP sees Jewish vote as crucial in battleground states
1 March 2012
The Australian
Candidates across the political spectrum understand the importance of the Jewish vote, which is small but characterised by high turnout. Jews tend to be strong Democratic supporters, but the US Studies Centre's Professor of Legal Policy David Weisbrot writes that Republicans sense President Barack Obama is vulnerable to losing Jewish support. Has the Republican congressional leadership's close relationship with the Israeli right put Obama's appeal to Jewish voters at risk? Read article
