Sydney International Strategy Forum 2025

From tariffs to artificial intelligence, one word best sums up 2025: disruption.

President Donald Trump’s first 100 days featured norm-breaking policies at breakneck pace, often to be overturned days or weeks later. At the same time, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza have entered new eras with high-level negotiations, on-again off-again fighting and a new world order forming in real time to adapt to a changing strategic landscape. The 2024 trend of turfing incumbents has given way to foreign elections that many perceive to be a referendum on US politics.

What is the future of the United States’ role in the world? How can governments and businesses plan in the midst of constant change? How should allies and partners approach security challenges in 2025 and beyond?

Join international experts across government, business and academia as they share their insights on the discussions happening in Washington, Canberra and Tokyo, and what they mean for US allies and partners around the world.

Explore the program

Meet our speakers

Confirmed speakers include former senior officials from the White House, National Security Council and US military, as well as leading voices from prominent think tanks — bringing unparalleled expertise in foreign policy, defence and Indo-Pacific strategy.

Dr Kurt Campbell

Former US Deputy Secretary of State and Chairman and Co-Founder of The Asia Group

Avril Haines (virtual)

Former Director of National Intelligence

Wada Yoshiaki

Former Representative (2016-2024)Japanese House of Representatives

Bilahari Kausikan

Former Permanent SecretaryMinistry of Foreign Affairs in Singapore

Dr Mira Rapp-Hooper

PartnerThe Asia Group

General David H. Berger USMC (Ret’d)

Former CommandantUS Marine Corps

Andrew Shearer

Director-General Office of National Intelligence

Dr Kori Schake

Senior Fellow and Director of Foreign and Defense Policy StudiesAmerican Enterprise Institute

Lisa Curtis

Director of the Indo-Pacific Security Program Center for a New American Security

Jo Masters

Chief EconomistBarrenjoey Capital Partners

Professor Nobukatsu Kanehara

Executive DirectorSasakawa Peace Foundation

Clay Lowery

Executive Vice President for Research and PolicyInstitute of International Finance

Katherine Mansted

Executive Director, Cyber IntelligenceCyberCX

Dr Jeffrey Wilson

Director of Research and EconomicsAustralian Industry Group

The Honourable Arthur Sinodinos AO

ChairmanUnited States Studies Centre

Cameron Stewart

Chief International CorrespondentThe Australian

John Kehoe

Economics EditorThe Australian Financial Review

Matthew Knott

Foreign Affairs and National Security CorrespondentSydney Morning Herald and The Age

Dr Michael J. Green

Chief Executive OfficerUnited States Studies Centre

Professor Peter Dean

Senior Adviser for Defence StrategyUnited States Studies Centre

Dr John Kunkel

Senior Economics AdviserUnited States Studies Centre

Hayley Channer

Director, Economic SecurityUnited States Studies Centre

Dr Lavina Lee

Director, Foreign Policy and DefenceUnited States Studies Centre

Olivia Shen

Director, Strategic TechnologiesUnited States Studies Centre

Jared Mondschein

Director of ResearchUnited States Studies Centre

Held in Sydney each year, SISF explores the most pressing issues in foreign policy, defence, economics, and politics, with a particular focus on the role of the United States and its allies in the Indo-Pacific region. From emerging technologies to shifting geopolitical dynamics, the Forum provides a platform for timely, high-level dialogue on the challenges and opportunities confronting the world today.

Former Chief of the Australian Defence Force and author of the 2023 Defence Strategic Review, Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston AK, AFC (Ret'd), sat down with USSC's Peter Dean at SISF 2024 to discuss the changing geostrategic landscape.

Former US Ambassador to the European Union and President and COO of Business Roundtable, Kristen Silverberg, discusses the business community's response to the incoming Trump administration at SISF 2024.

American security analyst and former US Army Officer specialising in US-China relations, Matthew Turpin provides his insights on navigating economic security and technology competition at SISF 2024.

Former US Congresswoman, Stephanie Murphy, talks on the evolving role of Congress in Asia at SISF 2024.

Government relations experts and USSC Non-Resident Fellow, Lester Munson provides insights on the new US Congress at SISF 2024.

Become a sponsor

Sponsors of the Forum receive a competitive package of benefits, including high-visibility branding opportunities, exclusive access to closed-door engagements such as our Strategy Simulation, and opportunities to connect with senior leaders across government, business, and academia.

If your company is interested in partnering with the Centre for this premier strategic forum, please contact our Engagement Officer, Georgia Baillie at georgia.baillie@sydney.edu.au.