Dr Hamed Zakikhani holds a PhD in Agronomy. His work sits at the intersection of food systems and foreign policy, examining how strategic trade routes, critical inputs and supply-chain resilience shape Australia’s economic security. His analysis focuses on practical, paddock-to-port solutions – routing flexibility, input diversification, traceability and risk finance – that turn reliability into strategic influence for a middle power. He is a member of AIIA Queensland and writes in a personal capacity.