The United States Studies Centre launched its second annual publication, State of the United States: The Biden agenda in the balance.

Entering year three of the COVID pandemic, President Biden grapples with inflation, complex foreign policy challenges arising from the intensification of strategic competition and dwindling approval ratings, all with the November 2022 midterms looming. State of the United States features the latest USSC polling, US policy analysis and impacts for Australia in 2022.

The half-day event featured special guests and panel discussions:

Featured speakers

  • Congressman Joe Courtney (D-CT) - Co-Chair of the Friends of Australia Congressional Caucus (joining via video link from the US)
  • The Hon Peter Dutton MP - Minister for Defence and Leader of the House
  • The Hon Brendan O'Connor MP - Shadow Minister for Defence
  • Senator the Hon Penny Wong - Leader of the Opposition in the Senate and Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs

Panellists

  • Heather Cotching - Chief Economist, Austrade
  • Peter Hartcher - Political Editor and International Editor, The Sydney Morning Herald
  • Professor Simon Jackman - CEO, United States Studies Centre
  • Dr Stephen Kirchner - International Economy Program Director, United States Studies Centre
  • Dr Peter K. Lee - Research Fellow in the Foreign Policy and Defence Program, United States Studies Centre
  • Dr Tanvi Madan - Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution
  • Ashley Townshend - Foreign Policy & Defence Program Director, United States Studies
  • Dr Jeffrey Wilson - Research Director, Perth USAsia Centre
  • Luke Yeaman - Deputy Secretary Macroeconomic Group, The Treasury