Women, security, power and policy
Podcast

Women, security, power and policy

By Lydia Khalil, Susannah Patton, Serena Sasingian
9 March 2026

To mark International Women’s Day, Lowy Institute fellows Susannah Patton and Serena Sasingian speak with Lydia Khalil in a wide-ranging discussion on women in international relations. They explore how gender equality strategies fit into realist power politics, how the global rise of “strongman” politics is threatening hard-won gains for women worldwide, and the relationship between gender equality and national power. They also reflect on their own careers and offer ideas for what meaningful progress could look like.

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Lydia Khalil
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Areas of expertise: Terrorism and violent extremism; digital technology; disinformation; authoritarianism; national security; emergency management and countering violent extremism; crisis and natural disasters; radicalisation; counter-terrorism; policy; Middle East; US national security
Susannah Patton
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Areas of expertise: Indo-Pacific strategy; Australian foreign policy; Southeast Asia
Serena Sasingian
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Areas of expertise: Papua New Guinea, Pacific Islands
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