Ambassador David B. Shear
Former US Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs
Ambassador David B. Shear served as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs from September 2014 to June 2016, and performed the duties of Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy from June 2016 to January 2017. During this period he oversaw the strategic aspects of President Barack Obama’s “rebalance to Asia” alongside Secretary of Defense Ashton B. Carter.
James Brown
Non-Resident Fellow, United States Studies Centre
James Brown is a Non-Resident Fellow at the United States Studies Centre. He is also the President of the RSL NSW.
Dr Zack Cooper
Research fellow, American Enterprise Institute
Zack Cooper is a research fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. His research focuses on US defense strategy in Asia, particularly the importance of working closely with regional allies and partners. He has co-authored reports on the US-Australia alliance while working at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments. He previously served on staff at the US National Security Council and the US Department of Defense. He completed his BA from Stanford University and MPA, MA, and PhD from Princeton University.
Julie B. Sheetz
Global Force Planner, Office of the Secretary of Defense
Julie Sheetz is a Global Force Planner in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, focusing on United States force posture in the Asia-Pacific, including agreements with allies and partners, the footprint for US forces in the region, and the combination of force structure – in personnel and capabilities – stationed in this critical area.
Ashley Townshend
Director, Foreign Policy and Defence, United States Studies Centre
Ashley Townshend is Director of Foreign Policy and Defence at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. He works on international security and strategic affairs with a focus on the Indo-Pacific, including regional alliances and partnerships, maritime security, defence policy, and US, Chinese, and Australian strategy.
