In this episode, The Strategist’s Brendan Nicholson speaks with Samantha Crompvoets, founder and director of Rapid Context, who carried out a review that uncovered claims that Australian special forces soldiers had committed war crimes in Afghanistan. They discuss the Brereton report ^[1], how a dangerous ‘warrior culture’ developed unchecked, and what needs to be done to keep it from happening again.

Strategist national security editor Anastasia Kapetas talks with Ben Bohane, communications director at the ANU’s Australia Pacific Security College, about climate initiatives and innovation in the Pacific, and disaster responses and resilience. They also discuss the regional response to Joe Biden’s election and the prospects for the US to return to a global leadership role on tackling climate change.

ASPI researcher Genevieve Feely speaks to Rachel Grimes, NATO ACT liaison officer to the United Nations, the Independent Committee of the Red Cross and NGOs, about Rachel’s experiences working in the UN, NATO and UK Defence. They discuss the importance of terminology, the progress made so far in the increasing female representation in peacekeeping operations, and the prospects for advancing the women, peace and security agenda. The views expressed in this interview are Rachel’s personal views.