The Focus
The Focus is the flagship current affairs podcast of SAGE International, an independent, Adelaide-based geopolitical think tank. Hosted by Dr. John Bruni—a veteran geopolitical commentator with over 24 years in the Australian media—The Focus brings a critical edge to global affairs. John's expertise is built on decades of experience, including time with the Royal United Services Institute of Australia, work as a university lecturer, senatorial foreign affairs adviser, analyst for Jane’s Intelligence Review, and Gulf-based military analyst. Produced by Neil Smart, The Focus cuts through the noise of biased media to deliver sharp, informed insights into the major issues shaping Australia and the world. In an age of global disruption and complexity, knowing which questions to ask is more vital than ever.
Episodes
Britain enters 2025 facing economic strain, strategic uncertainty, and intensifying global competition. In this hard-hitting year-end special, Dr John Bruni sits down with former Royal Navy submariner and intelligence specialist CDRE Pat Tyrrell OBE (Ret.), and investigative journalist Pete Warren, for an unfiltered assessment of the UK’s political and strategic direction.
We break down the British Budget, stal...
Is the climate debate more complex than we’re being told? In this episode of The Focus, Dr John Bruni sits down with Professor Ian Plimer — geologist, author, and one of the most contested voices in Australia’s climate conversation.
Plimer has spent decades arguing that natural geological and planetary processes play a larger role in climate variability than many policymakers acknowledge.
In this extended ...
In this episode of The Focus, Dr. John Bruni speaks with leading strategist Professor Andrew A. Michta about whether the West is in decline or on the cusp of renewal, exploring the fractures inside the transatlantic alliance, America’s fading primacy, Europe’s struggle for strategic agency, China’s growing economic fragility, and the deeper civilisational crisis undermining Western confidence. ...
🇪🇺 Is Europe finally rising as a defence power?
As the war in Ukraine grinds on and populist politics reshape Europe, the EU faces a historic test: defend the continent, support Kyiv, and hold the line against Moscow — while staying united.
In this episode, Dr John Bruni speaks with EU analyst Piotr Maciej Kaczyński on Europe's defence transformation, Poland’s upcoming EU Presidency, and the popul...
In this episode of The Focus, Dr John Bruni speaks with CTO of NY-based company Artorias, Shane Curtis, about how truth is shaped, challenged, and weaponised in today’s information age and how Artorias' premium product, SITREP, is democratising Open Source Intelligence. From the algorithms driving attention to the blurred line between journalism and influence operations, this conversation explores how digital ecosystems are t...
What happens when ceasefire becomes status quo? In this episode of The Focus, John Bruni interviews Israeli scholar Dr Ori Goldberg on the fragile Gaza truce, Israel’s surveillance corridors, and the internal power-struggles that could spark a new war. Expect hard questions, blunt truth, and no easy answers.
Show Notes:
X: @ori_goldberg
Bluesky: @origoldberg.bsky.social
Ori’s Top Publications: ...
Two years after the October 7 attacks, the world remains caught between memory and escalation.
In this gripping episode, Dr John Bruni sits down with political theorist Dr Roy Casagranda to unpack the transformation of American power under Trump 47 — from Quantico’s “warrior ethos” and the rebranding of the Pentagon as the Department of War, to the U.S. government shutdown and the deep...
India is no longer a silent player in world politics. As the U.S. courts New Delhi, Russia relies on Indian markets, China looms across the border, and Pakistan remains a constant rival, India stands at the centre of global geopolitics.
In this episode of The Focus, Dr. John Bruni speaks with Professor Salvatore Babones (University of Sydney) about India’s bold gamble on its future. Will New Delhi define the In...
We sit down with Yuki Tatsumi to explore foreign policy in the Indo-Pacific. From the US-Japan alliance to ties with Australia, India, and the Quad, we unpack how regional countries and the US navigate today’s shifting fault lines.
We also examine the legacy of Shinzo Abe—including his reputation as the “Trump whisperer”—and how it has shaped the West’s foreign ...
India is rising — but what does that mean on the frontlines? 🇮🇳 In this episode of The Focus, Dr. John Bruni speaks with Lt. Gen. Ravi Shankar (Retd.), former Director General of Artillery and the bold voice behind The Gunner’s Shot. Unapologetic and unfiltered. This is India’s rise told from the inside.
Show Notes
Connect with Ravi
The Gunners Shot YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@g...
Australia and Indonesia are tied together by geography — but how well do we really understand each other? Despite being close neighbours, relations between Canberra and Jakarta are often uneasy, marked by cooperation, competition, and occasional mistrust.
In this episode of The Focus, Dr. Gatra Priyandita (Australian Strategic Policy Institute) joins Dr. John Bruni to unpack one of the most important ...
What if the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS wasn’t natural — but alien technology?
In this special episode of The Focus, Dr. John Bruni speaks with Harvard astrophysicist Prof. Avi Loeb about the James Webb Space Telescope’s new images and asks the ultimate question:
Who speaks for Earth if the universe makes contact? What are the geopolitical implications?
Show Notes:
...Europe stands on shaky ground. With Trump floating “peace plans” for Ukraine, Putin pressing his advantage, and NATO allies second-guessing their future, uncertainty is the only constant. In this episode of The Focus Podcast, Dr. John Bruni speaks with Commander Anders Puck Nielsen of the Royal Danish Navy — one of Europe’s sharpest military analysts.
Show Notes:
Connect with Anders
Mexico’s cartels aren’t just crime syndicates—they’re power brokers shaping politics, security, and the U.S.–Mexico border. In this episode of The Focus, Dr. John Bruni speaks with Stefano Ritondale to unpack the rise of the Sinaloa Cartel, CJNG, and Gulf Cartel—and what their influence means for North America.
#mexicancartels #geopolitics #thefocuspodcast
Show Notes
Connect with Stefano:
X:...
Yale professor Samuel Moyn joins us to explore how drones, AI, and precision strikes have transformed modern conflict. Based on his book Humane, this conversation asks whether efforts to make war more “humane” have sidelined the goal of peace itself.
Show Notes:
Connect with Sam
Yale: ...
Can ancient Stoicism help us face today’s crazy world? In this episode of The Focus, Dr. John Bruni speaks with philosopher Prof. Massimo Pigliucci on how Stoic principles offer clarity, resilience, and meaning in an age of rage, war, and misinformation.
We also explore real Stoicism vs. “Broicism,” and how to apply timeless wisdom to modern crises.
🎧 Watch now on The Focus with John Bruni.
SHOW NO...
Dr. John Bruni speaks with Prof. Salvatore Babones about U.S.–India relations, Modi’s strategic balancing act, the Quad, and how Russian oil, and a possible F-35 purchase, affects Trump’s thinking on India and how this could reshape stability on the Subcontinent & Indo-Pacific security more broadly.
#IndiaUS #SalvatoreBabones #Geopolitics #Modi #TheFocusPodcast #IndoPacific #Trump...
In this episode of The Focus, Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges joins us to unpack Europe’s growing defence dilemma. As U.S. support for NATO faces political headwinds and war rages in Ukraine, can Europe stand on its own? Or is it still relying too heavily on the American security umbrella?
We explore NATO’s credibility, European rearmament, and what’s needed to keep the continent safe in an age of rising threats.
Show No...
Dr. Roy Casagranda returns to The Focus to explore the global and domestic impact of a second Trump term—covering democracy, immigration, alliances, Ukraine, Iran, and more.
🎧 Watch now & subscribe for more insight on geopolitics and global affairs.
#geopolitics #trump47 #roycasagranda #uspolitics #thefocuspodcast #globalsecurity #foreignpolicy
Show Notes:
🔗 *Connect with Roy Casagranda*
X: @RoyCasagrand...
In this episode of The Focus, Dr. John Bruni speaks with economist Nicolas Michelon on how protectionism and power politics are reshaping global trade.
🎧 Watch now on YouTube | Also on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.
Show Notes:
Connect with Nicolas
X: @MichelonNicolas
Asia Power Watch: https://asiapowerwatch.com/
Alagan Partners: https://alaganpartners.com/our-team/nicolas-michelon/
Nicolas’ Recent Publications...
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