The Director's Chair
Lowy Institute
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On The Director’s Chair, Michael Fullilove - Executive Director of the Lowy Institute - speaks with political leaders and policy makers about their lives, their careers, and their views on the world.
A podcast from the Lowy Institute.
Available episodes
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Aug 16, 2023
Kaja Kallas on Estonia’s support for Ukraine, resisting Russia and reinforcing global democracy
In this episode of The Director’s Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with Kaja Kallas, the Prime Minister of Estonia. They discuss Estonia’s strong support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s invasion, the future of Russia in world affairs, and why democracies must work together to counter aggression and reinforce support for the international rules-based order.
Kaja Kallas has been the Prime Minister of the Republic of Estonia since 2021. She first became a member of Estonia’s parliament, the Riigikogu, in 2011, and served as a member of the European Parliament from 2014, before returning to politics in Estonia as leader of the Reform Party. She was returned as Prime Minister in March this year after general elections.
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Dec 13, 2022
Henry Kissinger on leaders in history, the Ukraine war, and Australia's relationship with China
In this episode of The Director's Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with Dr Henry Kissinger, the former US Secretary of State and National Security Adviser. They discuss the role of individuals in history, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the future of Australia's relationship with China.
Dr Henry Kissinger was National Security Adviser to both the Nixon and Ford administrations, and from 1973 to 1977, he served as the 56th US Secretary of State. He is the only person to serve concurrently in both roles. Born in Germany, Dr Kissinger emigrated to the United States in 1938 and became a citizen in 1943. He received MA and PhD degrees from Harvard University in 1952 and 1954. His most recent book is Leadership: Six studies in World Strategy published in 2022 by Penguin.
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Dec 2, 2022
Sanna Marin on the Ukraine war, European security, and why Finland is joining NATO
In this special episode of The Director's Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with Sanna Marin, the Prime Minister of Finland. They discuss Finland's decision to join NATO, and the security challenges facing all of Europe as a consequence of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This conversation was recorded at a live event at the Lowy Institute on 2 December 2022.
Sanna Marin was appointed Prime Minister of Finland on 10 December 2019. She has been actively engaged in politics since 2006. In 2015, she was elected to Parliament and has been a member of the Grand Committee, Legal Affairs Committee and Environment Committee. Ms Marin is the third female Prime Minister of Finland and the youngest prime minister in Finland’s history.
Video and audio recordings of the full event are available at the Lowy Institute website.
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Nov 17, 2022
Sir Lawrence Freedman on the military lessons from Russia’s Ukraine war, and Australia’s strategic outlook
In this episode of The Director’s Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with Sir Lawrence Freedman, who is in Australia as the Lowy Institute’s 2022 Distinguished Fellow for International Security. Michael and Sir Lawrence discuss Russia’s war in Ukraine, and the lessons it offers for military strategists around the world. They discuss the implications for China and Taiwan, and how the AUKUS security pact has changed Australia’s strategic outlook.
Sir Lawrence Freedman is Emeritus Professor of War Studies, King's College London. Elected a Fellow of the British Academy in 1995 and awarded the CBE in 1996, he was appointed Official Historian of the Falklands Campaign in 1997. In 2003, he was awarded the KCMG. In June 2009, he was appointed to serve as a member of the official inquiry into Britain and the 2003 Iraq War. He has written widely on international history, strategic theory and nuclear weapons issues, as well as commenting on current security issues. Among his books are Strategy: A History (2013) and Command: The Politics of Military Operations from Korea to Ukraine (2022).
The Distinguished Fellowship for International Security is supported by the Australian Department of Defence through the Strategic Policy Grants program.
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Nov 3, 2022
Susan Glasser on US midterm elections and the long shadow of the Trump presidency
In this episode of The Director's Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with author and journalist Susan Glasser about next week's US midterm elections and the likely results. They discuss US political perspectives on the war in Ukraine, the Biden Administration's performance on foreign policy, and the continued influence of former president Donald Trump on US politics.
Susan Glasser is a journalist and author, and currently a staff writer at The New Yorker, where she writes a weekly column on life in Washington. She has been the editor of Politico Magazine and the editor-in-chief of Foreign Policy. With her husband Peter Baker of The New York Times she has written two books: The Man Who Ran Washington, a biography of the statesman and politician James Baker which was published in 2020, and The Divider: Trump in the White House, 2017-2021, which was published in September by Doubleday.
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Oct 19, 2022
José Ramos-Horta on power politics, regional relationships and generational change
In this episode of The Director's Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with His Excellency José Ramos-Horta, the President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. José and Michael discuss the fallout from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, relations between Timor-Leste and Australia and the role of China's in the Indo-Pacific region. José reflects on his time in leadership roles, and the need for his generation to effectively hand on political power to younger generations.
José Ramos-Horta was Timor-Leste's first foreign minister when it declared independence from Portugal in 1975. Following Indonesia’s invasion later that year, he became the international voice of the Timorese people. In 1996 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. When Timor-Leste became a new nation following the Popular Consultation of 1999, he returned from exile to serve as the new nation’s first foreign minister. From 2006 to 2007 he served as Prime Minister, and from 2007 to 2012 he served as President. This year he came out of retirement and returned to the presidential palace. He was inaugurated on 20 May, which was 20th anniversary of the restoration of Timor-Leste’s independence.
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Oct 19, 2022
Season 3 Preview: José Ramos-Horta on power politics, regional relationships and generational change
A new season of The Director's Chair is about to arrive. In the first episode, Michael Fullilove speaks to José Ramos-Horta, the President of Timor-Leste about power politics, regional relationships and generational change. The Director's Chair now has its own home in your favourite podcast app. Search for Director's Chair or visit our website to subscribe.
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Oct 26, 2021
Penny Wong on politics, China, and the job of Foreign Minister
In this episode of The Director’s Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with Senator Penny Wong, the Shadow Foreign Minister and Leader of the Opposition in the Senate. Penny was elected to the Senate in 2001 and was appointed to Shadow Cabinet in 2005. She served as Climate Change Minister between 2007 and 2010 and as Finance Minister between 2010 and 2013.
Michael and Penny discuss the politics of climate change in Australia, the AUKUS pact, and the findings of the Lowy Institute’s Diplomat Database. Penny reflects on her upbringing, Labor’s priorities for the region, and the current state of the Australia-China relationship.
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Sep 30, 2021
Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein on the United Nations, China and climate change.
In this episode of The Director’s Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with the former Jordanian diplomat, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and think tank president Dr Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein. Zeid served as Jordan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Ambassador to the United States, and served as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights between 2014 and 2018. Zeid is the CEO and President of the International Peace Institute in New York and a professor of the practice of law and human rights at the University of Pennsylvania.
Zeid and Michael speak about global efforts to address climate change, the situation in Afghanistan, and China’s record on human rights. Zeid reflects on his time as High Commissioner and his lifelong association with the UN, and discusses what the pandemic reveals about the international community.
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Sep 29, 2021
Bob Zoellick on the World Bank, China, and the Republican Party.
In this episode of The Director’s Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with the long-time public official, policymaker, and former President of the World Bank, Robert Zoellick. Bob served in the Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush administrations. He is the author of America in the World: A History of U.S. Diplomacy and Foreign Policy.
Bob and Michael talk about Xi Jinping’s China, the Biden administration, and the AUKUS pact. Bob reflects on his mentor James Baker, why he decided to go into public life, and comments on the current direction of the GOP.
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Sep 14, 2021
Margaret MacMillan on history’s lessons, Richard Nixon, and China’s rise
In this episode of The Director’s Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with the distinguished Canadian historian and award-winning author, Professor Margaret MacMillan. Margaret has written a number of books including Peacemakers, Nixon in China, and The War that Ended Peace. She has been a history professor at Ryerson University, the University of Toronto and the University of Oxford, where she served for a decade as the Warden of St Antony’s College.
Margaret and Michael discuss how leaders should learn from history, the future of US-China relations, and the results of the recent Canadian election.
Margaret talks about how she approached the task of writing about her great-grandfather David Lloyd George, Western approaches to war, and the differences between Canada and Australia.
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Aug 30, 2021
John Howard on Australia-China relations, the Afghanistan War, and COVID
In this episode of The Director’s Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with John Howard, Australia’s 25th Prime Minister. John Howard was Treasurer from 1977 to 1983 in the Fraser government and served as Prime Minister between 1996 and 2007.
Michael and John discuss how China has changed in the last twenty-five years, Australia’s relationship with East Timor, and the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
John recounts watching Prime Minister Menzies eulogise Sir Winston Churchill, talks about being in Washington on 9/11, and reflects on Australia’s relations with Indonesia.
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Aug 17, 2021
Julia Gillard on the US and China, Afghanistan, Covid, and leaders she admires
In this episode of The Director’s Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with Julia Gillard, Australia’s 27th Prime Minister. Julia Gillard was Deputy Prime Minister from 2007 to 2010 and then served as Australia’s first female Prime Minister from 2010 to 2013.
Michael and Julia talk about the Australia-US alliance, China’s role in Asia, and the importance of the UN and the Quad.
Julia reflects on Australia’s role in the Afghanistan war, what COVID has revealed about the UK and Australia, and world leaders she admires.
This episode was recorded on Thursday 26 August, before the attacks at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan.
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Jul 22, 2021
Dr Kori Schake on Senator John McCain, the Quad and the future of the GOP
In this episode of The Director’s Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with the well-known American strategist and author, Dr Kori Schake. Kori began her career at the Pentagon before serving on the National Security Council and the State Department under President George W. Bush. She also served as the senior foreign policy adviser on Senator John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign. Kori is currently a Senior Fellow and Director of Foreign and Defence Policy Studies at the American Enterprise Institute.
Kori and Michael talk about John McCain, the Iraq War, the West’s response to President Trump and US policy towards China.
Kori talks about the influence Condoleezza Rice had on her during her studies at Stanford, reflects on her time in the Bush administration, and discusses the challenges of being a Republican in a Trumpified Washington.
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Jul 19, 2021
Saad Mohseni on running a media company in Afghanistan and Australia's future
In this episode of The Director’s Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with Saad Mohseni, CEO and chairman of Afghanistan’s largest media company, Moby Group.
Saad talks about growing up as the son of a diplomat, moving to Melbourne after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and founding Moby Group in 2002.
Michael and Saad talk about the future of Afghanistan following the withdrawal of US forces, as well as Australia’s approach to the coronavirus pandemic.
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Jul 8, 2021
Professor Philip Bobbitt on his career, his uncle LBJ, and fatherhood
In this episode of The Director’s Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with Professor Philip Bobbitt, one of America’s leading experts on constitutional law and national security, and the nephew of President Lyndon B. Johnson. Philip has served in both Democratic and Republican administrations and is the Herbert Wechsler Professor of Federal Jurisprudence at Columbia University Law School.
Philip reflects on the presidents he has worked with, the US response to the coronavirus pandemic, the future of US-China competition, and how history will judge his uncle Lyndon.
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Jul 2, 2021
Matt Pottinger on his career, working for President Trump, China and COVID
In this episode of The Director’s Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with the former US Deputy National Security Adviser, Matthew Pottinger. Matt started out as a journalist based in China, served in the US Marine Corps, and joined the Trump administration first as the Asia senior director at the National Security Council and later as Deputy National Security Advisor.
Michael and Matt speak about President Trump’s approach to foreign policy, the administration’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, and the future of both US and Australian relations with China. Matt explains what originally interested him in China, speaks about his time in the Marine Corps, and reveals why he resigned from the White House after the Capitol siege of 6 January.
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Jun 1, 2021
Dr Constanze Stelzenmüller on Angela Merkel’s life, career and legacy
In this episode of The Director’s Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with the Brookings Institution scholar and Merkel-watcher Dr Constanze Stelzenmüller. Constanze holds the Fritz Stern Chair at Brookings.
Michael and Constanze talk about the chancellorship of Angela Merkel, her legacy, and look to the future of German politics. Constanze reflects on the state of transatlantic relations, Germany’s relationship with China, and considers whether Merkel will go down as one of ‘the great chancellors’.
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May 24, 2021
Admiral Harry Harris on his life and career, the United States and China
In this episode of The Director’s Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with Admiral Harry Harris, the former US commander and diplomat. Harry served as the Commander of the US Pacific Fleet, Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, and as President Trump’s Ambassador to South Korea.
Harry discusses his military career, which took in postings from Guantanamo Bay to INDOPACOM headquarters in Honolulu, when he led nearly 400,000 military personnel. They also discuss his time as a diplomat, when he grappled with issues including Black Lives Matter and President Trump’s attempts to cut a deal with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Harry recounts his ‘Sliding Doors’ moment, when he was meant to serve as Ambassador to Australia.
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Apr 7, 2021
Dr Samir Saran on India’s COVID crisis and the future of globalisation
In this episode of The Director’s Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with Dr Samir Saran, President of the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), a leading Indian think tank.
Michael and Samir talk about India’s devastating second wave of COVID, the time it will take for India to recover from the crisis, and what the pandemic means for US-China relations. Samir speaks about his own experiences with the virus and analyses how the crisis may affect India’s position in the world.
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Mar 31, 2021
Michèle Flournoy on her life and career, China’s rise and America’s resilience
In this episode of The Director’s Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with the distinguished policymaker and policy entrepreneur Michèle Flournoy. Michèle is a former senior Pentagon official, managing partner of WestExec Advisors, and chair of the Center for a New American Security.
Michèle is a leading expert on US defence and strategic policy. She served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy in the Clinton administration. Michèle also served as Under Secretary of Defense for Policy in the Obama administration, which made her, at the time, the highest-ranking woman in the history of the Pentagon.
Michael and Michèle discuss the rise of China, the resilience of America and Australia’s and New Zealand’s approach to the world. Michèle also reflects on the Bush administration's decision to invade Iraq, the workplace environment at the Pentagon, and risk of conflict in the Taiwan Strait.
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Mar 14, 2021
Dr Martin Indyk on making peace in the Middle East
In this episode of The Director’s Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with the Australian-American diplomat, Middle East scholar, and author Dr Martin Indyk. Martin worked in both the Clinton and Obama administrations as Assistant Secretary of State, US Ambassador to Israel and Special Envoy for Middle East Peace. He is a Distinguished Fellow at the Council on Foreign Affairs and a long-serving Board member at the Lowy Institute.
Michael and Martin discuss his career working on Middle East peace, as well as Israeli politics, recent events in Jordan, and the Biden administration's approach towards Saudi Arabia. Martin reflects on growing up in Sydney, what Bill Clinton was like as a boss, and what we can learn from Henry Kissinger’s shuttle diplomacy.
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Mar 11, 2021
Anna Fifield on China, North Korea and New Zealand
In this episode of The Director’s Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with award-winning journalist, author, and editor Anna Fifield. Anna, the editor of the Wellington newspaper The Dominion Post, has previously reported for the Financial Times and The Washington Post from London, Washington, Seoul, Tokyo and Beijing. Anna is the author of a celebrated biography of Kim Jong-un titled The Great Successor.
Michael and Anna talk about reporting from Beijing and Tokyo and writing about Xi Jinping and Kim Jong-un. Anna also speaks about human rights abuses against the Uyghurs in China’s Xinjiang province, the recent summit meeting in Anchorage, and the contrasting policies of Australia and New Zealand towards China.
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Feb 16, 2021
Marcus Wallenberg on the Wallenberg family, the global economy and COVID
In this episode of The Director’s Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with international business leader Marcus Wallenberg. Marcus is a fifth-generation member of the Wallenberg Family, a Swedish political and business dynasty that has counted foreign ministers, ambassadors, and prominent business figures among its numbers.
Marcus is the chairman of both Saab and the SEB Group. He sits on the board of AstraZeneca and the international advisory board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and has previously served as chair of the International Chamber of Commerce.
Michael and Marcus talk about the situation in Hong Kong, the rollout of vaccines, and how the pandemic has changed the nature of work. Marcus discusses how China is viewed in Europe, the future of the international economy, and leaders who have impressed him.
Saab Australia is a subsidiary of Saab AB, of which Marcus Wallenberg is the Chairman. Saab Australia is a corporate member of the Lowy Institute.
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Feb 11, 2021
Frances Adamson on her career, Australian diplomacy and relations with China
In this episode of The Director’s Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Frances Adamson. Over the course of her career, Frances has represented Australia’s interests in Europe and Asia and advised foreign ministers and prime ministers.
Michael and Frances discuss relations with China, recent events in Myanmar, and how DFAT is helping Australians abroad during the pandemic. Frances reflects on why she joined DFAT, nominates Australian and foreign leaders who have impressed her, and talks about the distinctiveness of Australian diplomacy.
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Jan 31, 2021
General David Petraeus on his career, the Biden administration, and China
In this episode of The Director’s Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with General David Petraeus who led the 2007 surge in Iraq, headed up the US Central Command, commanded US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, and served as director of the CIA.
Michael and David discuss America’s involvement in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, reflect on President Biden’s approach to the use of force, and the Capitol riots of January 6. David provides insight into the future of the US-China relationship, shares his impressions of President Biden’s foreign policy team, and evaluates the legacy of the Trump presidency.
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Dec 15, 2020
Biographer Evan Osnos on President-elect Joe Biden
In this episode of The Director’s Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with Evan Osnos, the award-winning journalist, author and staff writer for The New Yorker. In 2014 he published a book on China, Age of Ambition, which won the National Book Award. Evan recently released an insightful and highly readable biography of the President-elect, Joe Biden: American Dreamer.
Michael and Evan discuss Joe Biden’s first presidential campaign in 1988, his record as Barack Obama’s Vice President, and analyse the team he will take into government. Evan provides insight into Biden’s relationship with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, his love for ‘the connect’, and the approach that President Biden will take to China and the world.
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Dec 2, 2020
Dr Kurt Campbell on pivoting to Asia and competition with China
In this episode of The Director’s Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with one of the leading US Democratic voices on foreign policy, Kurt Campbell. From 2009 to 2013, Kurt served as the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs under Secretary Clinton in the Obama administration, where he is widely credited as a key architect of the “pivot to Asia.” He is CEO of The Asia Group, and serves as Chairman of the Board of the Center for a New American Security, which he co-founded with Michèle Flournoy in 2007.
Michael and Kurt discuss Kurt’s upbringing, his working life, President-elect Biden’s likely policy towards Asia, the current disagreement between Canberra and Beijing, and future relations between the Biden administration and the Morrison government.
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Nov 24, 2020
Dr Robert Dallek on the U.S. presidency and the 2020 election
In this episode of The Director’s Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with Professor Robert Dallek, the distinguished presidential historian. Professor Dallek is a prize-winning author who has written books about Franklin D. Roosevelt, Richard Nixon, Lyndon B. Johnson and many other American presidents. Previously he has taught at Columbia, UCLA, Oxford and the University of Texas.
Professor Dallek discusses his upbringing in Brooklyn during the Great Depression, his thoughts on the enduring popularity of President Kennedy, and provides an early assessment of President Donald Trump's legacy. He analyses the recent election results and makes some predictions as to the shape of Joe Biden’s presidency.
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Oct 26, 2020
Dr Thomas Wright on the 2020 presidential election and US foreign policy
In this episode of The Director’s Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with one of the world’s leading Trumpologists, Dr Thomas Wright. Tom is a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington DC and a Nonresident Fellow at the Lowy Institute. His recent Lowy Institute Analysis, The Point of No Return: The 2020 Election and the Crisis of American Foreign Policy, examines implications of the 2020 US presidential election for Australia and the world.
Tom reflects on his childhood in Ireland, his experience working in the US foreign policy community as an immigrant, and takes listeners on a guided tour of the world views of President Donald Trump and Vice President Joe Biden. He examines what a second Trump term, and a first Biden term, would mean for US policies on China, alliances, and global trade. He also discusses the stakes for Australia.
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Oct 16, 2020
Steve Hadley on his career, the individuals he met and the leaders he served
In this episode of The Director’s Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with Stephen Hadley, the former national security adviser to President George W. Bush. Throughout his long career, Steve Hadley worked for four American presidents – Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush. He is Chairman of the Board of the United States Institute of Peace, a member of the Board of Directors of the Council on Foreign Relations, and a partner at Rice, Hadley, Gates & Manuel – an international consulting firm he co-founded with former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and former Secretary of Defense Bob Gates.
Mr Hadley discusses his upbringing and his memories of Hillary Clinton at Yale as well as his experiences serving alongside Brent Scowcroft, James Baker, Dick Cheney, Condoleezza Rice and George W. Bush. He also talks about the Afghanistan and Iraq wars and provides some observations on leadership, America’s response to COVID and China.
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Sep 29, 2020
Governor-General David Hurley on soldiering and representing Australia
In this episode of The Director’s Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with Australia’s Governor-General, His Excellency David Hurley. Mr Hurley joined the Australian Army in January 1972, graduating from the Royal Military College, Duntroon into the Royal Australian Infantry Corps. His military service culminated with his appointment as Chief of the Defence Force from 2011 to 2014. After serving as CDF, His Excellency was appointed Governor of NSW and then, in 2019, Governor-General of Australia.
The Governor-General reflects on his career as an officer in the Australian Army and discusses some of his overseas deployments to the United Kingdom, Somalia, and Malaysia. He looks back at Australia’s involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan and talks about his experience representing the Australian community overseas as a vice regal representative and his work with Indigenous communities.
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Sep 14, 2020
Ambassador Nicholas Burns on diplomacy, presidents and American power
In this episode of The Director’s Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with Ambassador Nicholas Burns, Professor at Harvard University, Executive Director of the Aspen Strategy Group, and one of the leading American diplomats of his generation. Nick served in the US government for nearly three decades, holding senior positions under Presidents George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. He was a member of Secretary of State John Kerry’s Foreign Affairs Policy Board and a foreign policy adviser to Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign in 2016. He is also a foreign policy adviser to Vice President Joe Biden, the 2020 Democratic presidential nominee.
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Aug 19, 2020
Jake Sullivan on Russia, China, climate diplomacy and Australia
In this episode of The Director’s Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with Jake Sullivan, the senior policy adviser to Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Joe Biden. Jake Sullivan has held positions of trust for many of America’s leaders in the past two decades, as senior policy adviser to the last two Democratic presidential candidates, Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden; deputy chief of staff to Hillary Clinton when she was Secretary of State; and national security adviser to Vice President Joe Biden.
In part two of this episode, Jake speaks with Michael about President Donald Trump’s relationship with Russia and his affinity for Vladimir Putin, US policy towards China, Biden’s approach to alliances, climate diplomacy and Australia – and whether Americans are still up for the challenge of global leadership.
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Aug 13, 2020
Jake Sullivan on Donald Trump, Joe Biden and America’s role in the world
In this episode of The Director’s Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with Jake Sullivan, the senior policy adviser to Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden. Jake Sullivan has held positions of trust for many of America’s leaders in the past two decades, as senior policy adviser to the last two Democratic presidential candidates, Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden; deputy chief of staff to Hillary Clinton when she was Secretary of State; and national security adviser to Vice President Joe Biden.
In part one of this episode, Jake speaks about growing up in the American Midwest, the death of George Floyd, imposter syndrome, and gender and the national security community. He also offers some observations about Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Joe Biden.
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Jul 30, 2020
Mike Pezzullo on immigration, security and Australia’s place in the world
In this episode of The Director’s Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with the Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs, Mike Pezzullo. Mike Pezzullo is a lifelong official, described recently as ‘one of Australia’s most powerful public servants’. He has been a trusted adviser to both Labor and Coalition governments, the author of a Defence White Paper, and the prime mover behind a major restructure of Australia’s domestic security apparatus. He has been a senior staffer in both government and opposition as well as a public servant in the departments of Defence, Immigration and Customs, and Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Michael and Mike reflect on Mike’s childhood in southern Sydney and discuss China, cybersecurity, Australia’s response to COVID, evolution of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, and Australian foreign policy.
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Jul 9, 2020
Fiona Hill reflects on her journey from Bishop Auckland to the White House
In this episode of The Director’s Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with Brookings Institution scholar, and former Russia adviser to President Donald Trump, Dr Fiona Hill.
Fiona is one of the world’s leading Russia experts. She has worked in the US government under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, and then served for two years in the Trump Administration. At the end of 2019, Fiona became world-famous following her testimony in the impeachment hearings into Donald Trump’s presidency.
Michael and Fiona reflect on Fiona's journey from County Durham in northern England to the corridors of the White House in Washington DC, and discuss the British class system, the US foreign policy establishment, American partisan politics, US-Russia relations, and Donald Trump's relationship with Vladimir Putin.
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Jun 25, 2020
Peter Varghese reflects on an international life and career
In this episode of The Director’s Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with diplomat, foreign policy intellectual and now Chancellor of the University of Queensland, Peter Varghese.
Peter had a distinguished career in the Australian public service over nearly four decades, representing our country abroad, running the foreign ministry and our key intelligence assessments agency and advising a prime minister. He is a rare beast: in addition to being a highly effective bureaucrat, Peter is an original thinker and an elegant writer.
Peter and Michael speak about the history and reality of race relations in Australia and growing up in the suburbs of Brisbane in the 1960s; Peter's time spent working with John Howard and the controversial foreign policy decision to participate in the US-led invasion of Iraq; his time as High Commissioner in New Delhi and his thoughts on the Australia-India bilateral relationship; the future of Australia's relationship with China; and American politics.
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Jun 18, 2020
Rory Stewart on the adventures and disappointments of modern politics
In this episode of The Director’s Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with former diplomat, traveller, author and politician, Rory Stewart, a man whose life so far has been both conventional and highly unconventional.
Born in Hong Kong, Rory spent his childhood in Malaysia and Scotland, and passed through a number of establishment institutions including Eton, Balliol, the Black Watch, the Foreign Office and, according to speculation, the Secret Intelligence Service. He was a summer tutor to Princes William and Harry. And yet he has also repeatedly gone off-piste and done interesting and sometimes remarkable things, including walking 10,000km across Asia, and running as an independent candidate for mayor of London.
Rory and Michael speak about Rory's prescient response to the Covid-19 crisis, the disappointment of political life, the hollowing of the centre ground in British politics, and the Black Lives Matter movement.
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Jun 11, 2020
Dennis Richardson on Australian politics and foreign policy, the US and China
In this episode of The Director’s Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with legendary Australian official Dennis Richardson about his storied career in the public service, prime ministers he has known, and the foreign policy challenges facing Australia – including how to manage our relationships with the United States and China.
Over the course of his 48-year career, Dennis Richardson AO served in many important jobs including Ambassador to the United States, Director-General of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, Secretary of the Department of Defence, and Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
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May 14, 2020
Anna Funder on Stasiland, the US, Australia and whether writers are like spies
In this episode of The Director’s Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with award-winning author Anna Funder. Anna is widely known for her two bestselling books on German history, Stasiland and All that I Am.
Michael and Anna discuss the Stasi and East Germany, the differences between the United States and Australia, life in a pandemic – and whether writers are a bit like spies.
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Apr 23, 2020
David Miliband on British politics and COVID-19 in humanitarian crises
In this episode of The Director's Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with former British Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, about Brexit, leadership of the Labour Party, the future of internationalism, and the direct impact of COVID-19 on unprepared health care systems and populations with pre-existing vulnerabilities.
David Miliband served as a Cabinet minister under Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, including as Foreign Secretary from 2007 to 2010. He is President and CEO of the International Rescue Committee, where he oversees the agency’s humanitarian relief operations in more than forty war-affected countries and its refugee resettlement and assistance programs in over twenty US cities.
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Apr 9, 2020
Enrico Letta on global leadership, COVID-19, and the European project
In this episode of The Director's Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with former Italian Prime Minister, Enrico Letta, about running a major European power, his relationship with world leaders, global governance during COVID-19, and the future of the European project.
Enrico Letta served as the Prime Minister of Italy from 2013 to 2014. He is the Dean of the Paris School of International Affairs at Sciences Po in Paris, one of the top international relations schools in the world.
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Mar 26, 2020
Lord Mervyn King on COVID-19, radical uncertainty and economic forecasting
In the second episode of The Director's Chair, Michael Fullilove speaks with Lord Mervyn King about COVID-19, global economic downturn, the UK's response to the virus, Brexit, and what Lord King terms the 'radical uncertainty' of economic forecasting during a global crisis.
Lord King served as the Governor of the Bank of England from 2003 to 2013, including the period of the global financial crisis.
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Mar 19, 2020
Susan Glasser and Peter Baker on COVID-19, America and Trump
In the first episode of The Director's Chair, a new Lowy Institute podcast, Michael Fullilove speaks with Susan Glasser of The New Yorker and Peter Baker of The New York Times about COVID-19, the Trump administration and America.
Susan Glasser is a staff writer at The New Yorker, where she writes the weekly Letter from Trump’s Washington. Peter Baker is the Chief White House Correspondent for The New York Times.
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