Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has travelled relentlessly since his inauguration in October 2024. Yet questions remain about the direction of Indonesian foreign policy under his leadership. How will Indonesia manage its relationships with China, the United States and Russia? And what role will it play within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)? In this episode, the Institute's Susannah Patton discusses these questions with Dr Dino Patti Djalal, founder of the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia, and former Indonesian Ambassador to the United States.

Southeast Asia finds itself at an uncertain moment in its development trajectory. The region’s highly successful export-driven economic model is at risk as the Trump administration looks to dramatically reshape the global trade order, with Southeast Asia potentially facing especially punitive US tariffs. At the same time, official development finance (ODF) to the region — encompassing traditional aid, such as grants and concessional loans (ODA), as well as other official flows (OOF) from foreign governments and multilateral bodies — is set to decrease as major Western donors cut back on foreign aid. 
 

For more than two decades, the Lowy Institute’s flagship annual poll has revealed how Australians see the world and their place in it. It is the leading Australian survey on foreign affairs, and informs policy and public debate. Now in its twenty-first year, the 2025 Lowy Institute Poll illuminates the public mood at a remarkable moment in history. Amid global disorder and conflict, the Poll examines changing attitudes towards Australia’s key security ally, the United States, and its main trading partner, China. It reveals assumptions about superpower trajectories in the future, and perceptions of influence in Australia’s region now. It asks Australians about the key threats facing the nation, and how to defend against them. And it shows how attitudes on climate and energy, the economy, democracy, and immigration have evolved over time.

Two prominent Australian commentators from opposite sides of the defence debate will meet to discuss Australia’s security, America’s role in Asia, the AUKUS partnership and more. Jennifer Parker from the National Security College, ANU, will make the case for an Australian defence policy with a maritime focus. The Lowy Institute’s Sam Roggeveen will argue for a continental strategy that is less centred on the US alliance. The evening features opening statements from each speaker, followed by a moderated discussion led by Lowy Institute Deputy Research Director Susannah Patton, and concludes with an audience Q&A.

In 2025 Malaysia hosts the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), putting it at the centre of regional geopolitics. Its prime minister Anwar Ibrahim has an ambitious agenda to steer the group through the challenges posed by rising geopolitical tension. How will Malaysia navigate a trade war and competition between the United States and China? And how will its identity as a diverse Muslim majority country and advocate for the global south shape its positions at a time of multiple crises and conflicts?

Please join us in Sydney for a timely discussion about the foreign policy outlook of one of Australia’s closest neighbours, featuring Associate Professor Ngeow Chow-Bing (University of Malaya), Associate Professor Syaza Shukri (International Islamic University of Malaysia), Associate Professor Ross Tapsell (Australian National University), moderated by Lowy Institute Southeast Asia Program director Susannah Patton.

The Rt Hon David Lammy MP, the UK’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs chats with Dr Michael Fullilove AM on the evolving Australia-UK strategic relationship and global challenges. 
 

The Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator the Hon Don Farrell delivers an address before the Lowy Institute. The Minister speaks on the government’s trade agenda, recent EU–Australia trade discussions, and how Australia can navigate an increasingly turbulent international trade landscape.  

Watch this discussion on how Australians are grappling with seismic shifts in the global order. Drawing on the perspectives of Shadow Assistant Minister and former ambassador Dave Sharma, ABC senior journalist Isabella Higgins, Southeast Asia expert Susannah Patton, and Lowy Institute Poll author Ryan Neelam, this event will explore how Australians view the country’s relations with the United States and China, their perceptions of threats, the conflict in Ukraine, influence in the Pacific, and views on foreign aid, democracy and more.

Watch this timely discussion on how Australians see the world and their place in it. Drawing on the experience of Assistant Minister Andrew Leigh, SBS Chief Political Correspondent Anna Henderson, ABC Foreign Affairs reporter Stephen Dziedzic, and Lowy Institute Poll author Ryan Neelam, this event explores Australians’ views on the fracturing of the rules-based international order, attitudes towards the superpowers, Donald Trump’s policies, defence and security, the economy, climate change and more.