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.
Dr Zack Cooper
Research Fellow, American Enterprise Institute
Zack Cooper is a research fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and co-director of the Alliance for Securing Democracy. He studies US defence strategy and alliances in Asia. He served as assistant to the deputy national security adviser for combating terrorism at the National Security Council and as special assistant to the principal deputy under secretary of defence for policy at the Department of Defence.
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.
