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 A...
Latest episodes
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1 h 03
Dispatches from India | Pakistan Caught between India, Saudi Arabia & China | LTGEN (Ret.) Ravi Shankar
Pakistan is under pressure. Its economy is struggling, insurgencies threaten internal stability, and tensions with India remain unresolved. But with China investing heavily in its…
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52 min
Where’s the Evidence? | Prof. Avi Loeb
You’ve heard the extraordinary UAP claims. But how do you judge them when the evidence remains out of reach? Harvard astrophysicist Professor Avi Loeb joins Dr John Bruni on The Fo…
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42 min
Hitting Russia Harder—But What Does Victory Look Like? | Ben Hodges
Hitting Russia harder might inflict more damage. But what turns that damage into victory—and what would victory actually look like? Former US Army Europe commander Lieutenant Gener…
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1 h 22
Trump’s November Nightmare? | Scott Lucas
Could the November 2026 US midterms reshape Donald Trump’s presidency—and how far would the consequences travel beyond America? Dr John Bruni welcomes Professor Scott Lucas to The…
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57 min
Strategy in the 21st Century
Can military superiority compensate for bad strategy? In this special episode of The Focus, Dr John Bruni speaks with Sir Lawrence Freedman—one of the world’s foremost authorities…
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1 h 08
The Multicultural Myth
Australia is one of the world’s most ethnically diverse societies—but is it truly multicultural? In Episode 116 of The Focus, Dr John Bruni speaks with Associate Professor Salvator…
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1 h 54
25 YEARS AFTER 9/11
On September 10, 2001, the United States stood at the height of its power. Twenty-five years later, what happened to the American moment? In this special 25th-anniversary episode o…
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1 h 13
RUSSIA’S REAL THREAT TO NATO: How Far Can Putin Go?
What if Russia’s most dangerous weapon isn’t the one that starts a war — but the one that keeps us permanently on the edge of one? From drones over European airports and sabotage t…
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1 h 16
INDIA’S IRAN DILEMMA: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia & the New Strategic Order
India has spent decades pursuing strategic autonomy. But what happens when the world around it begins choosing sides? In this episode of The Focus Podcast, Dr John Bruni is joined…
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1 h 43
Seeing Around Corners - Why Strategic Surprises Keep Catching Us Off Guard
From pandemics and wars to artificial intelligence, geopolitical rivalry, and presidential candidates, the pace of change has never been faster. Yet governments, businesses and int…
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1 h 15
How Colombia defeated the FARC | Part 2
How did Colombia defeat the FARC—and what can other democracies learn from its experience? In Part 2 of my conversation with General Alberto José Mejía Ferrero, former Commander of…
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1 h 09
How Colombia Defeated the FARC
How does a democracy defeat one of the world's longest-running insurgencies? For more than fifty years, Colombia fought a brutal conflict against the Revolutionary Armed Forces of…
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1 h 03
Jenny Gordon | Can Australia Afford the Future? Part 2
In Part 2 of this in-depth conversation, Dr John Bruni continues his discussion with economist Dr Jenny Gordon to examine one of the defining questions of the 21st century: who sha…
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1 h 09
Dr. Ramzy Baroud | What the World Gets Wrong About Palestine
Few conflicts have shaped global politics as profoundly—or generated as much division—as the struggle between Israelis and Palestinians. Yet meaningful discussion is often replaced…
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59 min
Can Japan Hold Its Own In The Indo-Pacific?
Can Japan become the Indo-Pacific's indispensable strategic power? For decades, Japan has been viewed as an economic powerhouse constrained by its post-war constitution and relianc…
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1 h 01
Jenny Gordon | Can Australia Afford the Future? | Part 1
🌐 The global balance is shifting. For decades, economists claimed trade would keep the peace—but what happens when the world’s two biggest superpowers weaponise trade against each…
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1 h 44
Julian Lindley-French | Britain’s Strategic Reckoning
Britain’s Defence Secretary has resigned. NATO is transforming. Europe is rearming.So is Britain 🇬🇧 still a serious power? Against this backdrop, the recent resignation of Defence…
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1 h 45
Roy Casagranda | The Great Realignment
A global power shift is underway—and most people haven't realised how profound it is. From the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz to Ukraine, China, energy security, economics, a…
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1 h 00
Prof. Avi Loeb | The Crisis of Perception: UFOs, AI & Reality
Are UFOs real — or are humans simply terrible witnesses? In this thought-provoking episode of The Focus Podcast, Avi Loeb joins John Bruni to explore the dangerous intersection of…
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59 min
The End of the Post-Cold War Order? | Andrew Michta
For decades, the West operated under a simple assumption: American power would underpin global stability indefinitely. But today, that assumption is under growing pressure. In this…