Stop the World

Former White House China director Matt Turpin on Trump’s trip to Beijing

As US President Donald Trump prepares to arrive in Beijing for two days of talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, we’re joined by Matt Turpin, who was director for China in the White House National Security Council during Trump’s first term. The world’s two most powerful leaders have unusual latitude to make decisions uninhibited by their respective political systems but both also face challenges amid a deteriorating international environment and economic challenges at home. Matt, a former Army officer and now a senior advisor at Palantir Technologies and visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution, talks about what to expect from the visit, the positions of the two leaders, the international context, and most importantly the underlying shifts in the US-China economic relationship. Washington’s move away from pushing Beijing to adhere to fair and rules-based trade, towards what’s known as “managed trade”, is exemplified by a proposal for a Board of Trade which Matt explains. He lays out a way forward for rule-abiding countries to trade with one another while diversifying away from China. He explains his idea of disentanglement between the US and China for sensitive materials and technologies, and he assesses the situation for artificial intelligence and Taiwan which are other issues expected to feature over the next two days. It’s a very useful analysis even if you don’t get a chance to listen before the meetings on Thursday and Friday. Check out Matt’s Substack at https://chinaarticles.substack.com/

ASPI view: Justin Bassi and David Wroe talk about Takaichi’s visit and Trump’s surprise move on AI

Today on Stop the World, ASPI executive director Justin Bassi and David Wroe talk about Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s visit to Australia and the latest news in artificial intelligence. Japan is one of Australia’s closest friends—and the friendship is deepening. Justin and David talk about the significance of the relationships amid global geopolitical turmoil. Takaichi is leading her country through the next phase in its strategic renewal, with big plans to grow Japan’s critical technology and defence industries, and a more muscular posture in the region as it faces Chinese assertiveness. They discuss the economic security declaration signed by Takaichi and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese; ASPI’s new report calling for a look at Japanese submarines to fill any potential capability gap in the AUKUS optimal pathway; and the significance of the Mogami frigate agreement. Finally they discuss the news that the Trump administration is considering reviewing new AI models before they can be released in a major reversal of its low-regulation stance. That move follows the revelation that leading AI company Anthropic withheld its latest model Mythos because it is such a powerful tool for hackers.

Dynamism and danger: Ray Powell and Jim Carouso on the Indo-Pacific

Why should we care about the Indo-Pacific? It’s a question sufficiently packed with vitality that Ray Powell and Jim Carouso have for the past two years devoted a weekly podcast to finding the answers. Ray, a former US Air Force Colonel posted as Defence Attache in Canberra, and Jim, longtime diplomat who served as Charge d’Affaires to Australia, join STW this week to unravel all the ways the Indo-Pacific region remains the strategic keystone that is likely to shape the course of the 21st century. We cover a lot of ground—the future of US strategy in the Indo-Pacific and what that means for America’s friends and allies; Donald Trump’s upcoming meeting with Xi Jinping; China’s project to become the regional hegemon and what that means for the many other countries that call the Indo-Pacific home. Ray and Jim also share their thoughts on Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s visit to Australia next week, opportunities for economic security cooperation, deepening partnerships with other key Indo-Pacific nations such as the Philippines; the ongoing risks in the South China Sea and the nomination of former Congressman David Brat as US Ambassador to Australia. Ray and Jim have spent most of their careers focussed on the Indo-Pacific region. And their level headed, calm, excellent judgement comes through in this conversation. Watch Ray and Jim’s podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@IPPodcast

Darwin Dialogue Special: Resources Minister Madeleine King on Australia's critical minerals strategy

Critical minerals and rare earths are atomic marvels — and geopolitical nightmares. They’re vital in high-end technologies including defence equipment but are traded in markets that are all but broken, with China dominating overwhelming shares of production. This week, Madeleine King, Minister for Resources and Minister for Northern Australia, joins Stop the World to talk about the challenges Australia and its international friends face in building some kind of functioning market to ensure we don’t face supply crises that could threaten our economies or security. Speaking from the sidelines of ASPI’s third annual Darwin Dialogue on critical minerals, Madeleine talks about the failure of the market, the need for intervention, what connected supply chains will look like in the future, the kinds of cooperation Australia is pursuing with Japan, the United States, Korea, Canada and Europe, and the vital importance of trust. She discusses China’s own highly interventionist approach that enabled it to dominate the market, Australia’s own strengths, global trends towards resource and economic nationalism, and the wake up call last year when China forced a partial tariffs backdown from the US by threatening to cut off vital critical minerals supplies.

Self-reliant but not alone: ASPI unpacks the 2026 National Defence Strategy

ASPI’s head and deputy head of defence strategy, Mike Hughes and Courtney Stewart, join us to dissect Australia’s new National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Plan. It’s the right strategy, but is there enough money, even with the welcome boost? And how does Australia become operationally self-reliant without chasing the fool’s dream of self-sufficiency? Mike and Courtney share their views on the changing strategic environment, the US alliance, the state of the region, and new capability priorities such as drones and integrated air and missile defence. We also discuss the lessons from Ukraine and Iran, the importance of defending our interests well beyond our shores, and the all-important question of AUKUS. These are among the biggest questions facing Australia, and Mike and Courtney are among the best brains around to help you digest this busy week. Read more analysis on the NDS by ASPI staff: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/2026-national-defence-strategy-views-from-aspi-analysts/ [https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/2026-national-defence-strategy-views-from-aspi-analysts/] Read a new report 'Light speed weapons? Directed energy and the future of the ADF': https://www.aspi.org.au/report/light-speed-weapons-directed-energy-and-the-future-of-the-adf/ [https://www.aspi.org.au/report/light-speed-weapons-directed-energy-and-the-future-of-the-adf/] For regular updates on defence and security across the Indo-Pacific, subscribe to ASPI's Fault Lines digest on Substack: https://aspidefence.substack.com/ [https://aspidefence.substack.com/]