From tariffs to artificial intelligence, one word best sums up 2025: disruption.

President Donald Trump’s first 100 days featured norm-breaking policies at breakneck pace, often to be overturned days or weeks later. At the same time, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza have entered new eras with high-level negotiations, on-again off-again fighting and a new world order forming in real time to adapt to a changing strategic landscape. The 2024 trend of turfing incumbents has given way to foreign elections that many perceive to be a referendum on US politics.

What is the future of the United States’ role in the world? How can governments and businesses plan in the midst of constant change? How should allies and partners approach security challenges in 2025 and beyond?

These are the questions we tackled with international experts across government, business and academia at SISF 2025. They shared their insights on the discussions happening in Washington, Canberra and Tokyo, and what they meant for US allies and partners around the world.

The speakers

Speakers included former senior officials from the White House, National Security Council and US military, as well as leading voices from prominent think tanks — bringing unparalleled expertise in foreign policy, defence and Indo-Pacific strategy.

Kurt Campbell

Dr Kurt Campbell

Former US Deputy Secretary of State and Chairman and Co-Founder of The Asia Group
Avril Haines

Avril Haines (virtual)

Former Director of National Intelligence
Wada Yoshiaki

Wada Yoshiaki

Former Representative (2016-2024)Japanese House of Representatives

Bilahari Kausikan

Former Permanent SecretaryMinistry of Foreign Affairs in Singapore
Dr Mira Rapp-Hooper

Dr Mira Rapp-Hooper

PartnerThe Asia Group
David H. Berger

General David H. Berger USMC (Ret’d)

Former CommandantUS Marine Corps
Kori Schake

Dr Kori Schake

Senior Fellow and Director of Foreign and Defense Policy StudiesAmerican Enterprise Institute
Lisa Curtis

Lisa Curtis

Director of the Indo-Pacific Security Program Center for a New American Security
Jo Masters

Jo Masters

Chief EconomistBarrenjoey Capital Partners
Nobukatsu Kanehara

Professor Nobukatsu Kanehara

Executive DirectorSasakawa Peace Foundation
Clay Lowery

Clay Lowery

Executive Vice President for Research and PolicyInstitute of International Finance

Katherine Mansted

Executive Director, Cyber IntelligenceCyberCX
Jeffrey Wilson

Dr Jeffrey Wilson

Director of Research and EconomicsAustralian Industry Group
Arthur Sinodinos

The Honourable Arthur Sinodinos AO

ChairmanUnited States Studies Centre
Cameron Stewart

Cameron Stewart

Chief International CorrespondentThe Australian
John Kehoe

John Kehoe

Economics EditorThe Australian Financial Review
Matthew Knott

Matthew Knott

Foreign Affairs and National Security CorrespondentSydney Morning Herald and The Age
Dr Michael Jonathan Green, chief executive officer at the United States Studies Centre

Dr Michael J. Green

Chief Executive OfficerUnited States Studies Centre
Peter J. Dean

Professor Peter Dean

Senior Adviser for Defence StrategyUnited States Studies Centre
Dr John Kunkel, Senior Economics Adviser at the United States Studies Centre

Dr John Kunkel

Senior Economics AdviserUnited States Studies Centre
Hayley Channer, the Director of the Economic Security Program with the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney.

Hayley Channer

Director, Economic SecurityUnited States Studies Centre
lavina-lee.jpg

Dr Lavina Lee

Director, Foreign Policy and DefenceUnited States Studies Centre
Olivia Shen

Olivia Shen

Director, Strategic TechnologiesUnited States Studies Centre
Jared Mondschein, the Director of Research at the United States Studies Centre.

Jared Mondschein

Director of ResearchUnited States Studies Centre