What happens when middle powers stop trusting the old global order?

In this episode of The Focus, host John Bruni speaks with Kishore Mahbubani — one of the world’s leading geopolitical thinkers — about the growing fragmentation of the international system, the future of American leadership, the rise of Asia, and whether middle powers can shape the emerging global order rather than simply survive it.

Show Notes:

In this episode of The Focus, Kishore Mahbubani — former President of the UN Security Council, veteran Singaporean diplomat, and one of Asia’s most influential geopolitical thinkers — joins John Bruni to discuss the accelerating transformation of the global order.

Topics include:

The “Carney Moment” and the rise of middle powers
Whether Western dominance is fading
Strategic autonomy in an age of interdependence
U.S.-China rivalry and the future of the Indo-Pacific
Whether allies still trust the old international system
Australia’s strategic dilemma between Washington and Beijing
Can middle powers genuinely shape the future — or are they merely surviving it?

Prof. Mahbubani brings decades of diplomatic experience and strategic insight to one of the defining questions of the 21st century:

Is the old order breaking down faster than a new one can emerge?

Prof. Kishore Mahbubani’s latest books:

Can Asians Think of Peace? (2025)
Living the Asian Century: An Undiplomatic Memoir (2024)
The Asian 21st Century (2022)

Follow The Focus Podcast for more conversations on geopolitics, defence, strategy, and global affairs.

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Is the United States still the stabilising force of the international system — or has it become part of the instability?

In our first episode back, Professor Scott Lucas joins John Bruni to unpack the Iran War, the growing global energy crisis, NATO’s deepening anxiety, and whether Trump-era America has entered a state of permanent political and strategic turbulence.

From the Strait of Hormuz to Washington itself, this is a hard conversation about power, disorder, and whether the world’s superpower is now accelerating the very chaos it once contained.

Show Notes:

After a period away due to medical leave, John Bruni returns to The Focus for a major conversation on the state of the international system — and the growing instability surrounding the United States itself.

Joining us is Professor Scott Lucas from the Clinton Institute in Dublin, one of the most respected analysts of American politics and international affairs.

Together, they examine whether the United States is still acting as the stabilising force of the global order — or whether internal political turmoil, strategic overreach, and the Trump presidency are now contributing to international instability.

Topics include:

The Iran War and risks of wider U.S. escalation
Strait of Hormuz tensions and global energy insecurity
“World War E” — energy as the new geopolitical battlespace
Concerns over American reliability
Trump, executive power, and institutional strain

Scott’s presence on socials:

X: @ScottLucas_EA
Bluesky: @scottlucas.bysky.social
Instagram: scottlucasworldview
Web: https://eaworldview.com/

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George Mamalis joins us for a deep dive into South Australia, political power, and the future of the Australian system.

Australia’s political landscape is shifting — and not just in South Australia.
In this episode of The Focus, we explore the deeper forces reshaping politics across the country.

Dr. John Bruni sits down with George-Alexander Mamalis — political commentator and host of The Adelaide Set — for a wide-ranging discussion on the changing nature of Australian politics. While the conversation begins with the upcoming South Australian election, it quickly expands into a broader analysis of the structural, cultural, and philosophical shifts shaping modern democracy.

We examine:

The dominance — and limitations — of the Labor–Liberal political system

The role of leadership personality versus policy

The growing country–city divide in Australia

The rise of outsider political movements, including Turning Point Australia

Power networks and influence, including “The Adelaide Set”

The impact of global ideas and emerging debates — including transhumanism — on political discourse

This is not just a conversation about South Australia — it is a discussion about where Australian politics is heading, and what that means in a rapidly changing world.

Call to Action:
Before you go — drop a comment below and let us know two things: where you're watching from, and whether you think politics today is about ideas… or personalities.

Show Notes:

🔖 About the Guest

George-Alexander Mamalis is a political commentator based in South Australia and the host of The Adelaide Set, where he explores political, cultural, and societal issues shaping contemporary Australia.

If you want to know more about George, head to his YouTube Channel, George Mamalis, which can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/@georgiemamalis

🎙️ About the Host

Dr. John Bruni is a geopolitical analyst and CEO of SAGE International Australia, and host of The Focus Podcast, where he engages with leading thinkers and practitioners on global affairs, defence, and geopolitics.

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