Hugh White argues that, right now, we confront the world's most dangerous crisis in generations. The old global order faces a direct challenge in at least three crucial regions: Eastern Europe, the Middle East and East Asia.

And then there’s Donald Trump, under whose leadership America's retreat from coherence has been both swift and dramatic.

For Outspoken Hugh will be discussing his June 2025 Quarterly Essay: Hard New World, our Post American Future, in which he analyses the present geo-political trends, offering ways in which Australia might respond.

White examines the dynamics of the US–China rivalry, and the new regional order which is emerging, as well as exploring Australia's options. He also addresses the strategic issues driving the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, and where they might lead. He lays out in stark terms the hard choices ahead and explains how we can make our way in the world as it is, not how we might wish it to be.

White is a former Deputy Secretary for Strategy in the Department of Defence, and was the founding Director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. He is now Emeritus Professor of Strategic Studies at the Australian National University in Canberra and is widely regarded as Australia’s pre-eminent commentator on matters of defence. In his recent publications (Sleepwalk to War: Australia’s Unthinking Alliance with America, and his book, How to Defend Australia) he has been highly critical of our country’s involvement in AUKUS.

Our ‘introducing author’ will be the wonderful Joanna Jenkins.

Her first novel How To Kill a Client, became a massive best-seller. In her new novel, The Bluff, her focus moves from big-city legal firms to a small country town - but we’re still amongst the legal fraternity. Billed as ‘An unputdownable thriller of deception and greed, The Bluff reveals an enmeshed web of family and community loyalties, set in the lush rural hinterland of east coast Australia.’ It’s bound to be good!

Joanna grew up on a small farm in country Queensland. After graduating from the University of Queensland with degrees in English Literature and Law, she practised as a solicitor, including for many years as a partner of an international law firm. She now writes full-time. Married with three sons, Joanna lives in Brisbane.

We are extremely grateful for the support of the Sunshine Coast Arts Foundation