Is the climate debate more complex than we’re being told? In this episode of The Focus, Dr John Bruni sits down with Professor Ian Plimer — geologist, author, and one of the most contested voices in Australia’s climate conversation.

Plimer has spent decades arguing that natural geological and planetary processes play a larger role in climate variability than many policymakers acknowledge.
In this extended interview, we explore his arguments, test the evidence, and examine how climate, energy, mining, and geopolitics intersect in ways often overlooked in public debate.

This is not an episode about “right” or “wrong.”

It’s about asking difficult questions, challenging assumptions, and holding space for perspectives that sit outside the mainstream — while keeping the discussion grounded in science, evidence and geopolitics.

Show Notes:

Contact Ian: LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-plimer-391052226?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BS7AtR8iDR5qZ2SE18wOmIw%3D%3D

OpEds:

“The Copenhagen charade” Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) (5 Feb 2020) and “Legislative time bomb” (also 5 Feb 2020).

“Professor Ian Plimer Launches Climate Change: The Facts 2025 in Perth” Institute of Public Affairs (IPA) (21 Nov 2024) — this is not strictly an op-ed but a release.

Books:

Ian Plimer, Sceptical Always: A View at Three Quarter Time (Redland Bay: Connor Court Publishing, 2025), ISBN 978-1-923568-02-0.

Ian Plimer (ed.), Climate Change: The Facts 2025 (Melbourne: Institute of Public Affairs, 2024).

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In this episode of The Focus, Dr. John Bruni speaks with leading strategist Professor Andrew A. Michta about whether the West is in decline or on the cusp of renewal, exploring the fractures inside the transatlantic alliance, America’s fading primacy, Europe’s struggle for strategic agency, China’s growing economic fragility, and the deeper civilisational crisis undermining Western confidence. Drawing on Michta’s recent RealClearDefense essays, we discuss Europe’s defence readiness, U.S. strategic miscalculations, the risks of misreading history, and what the West must believe again to survive the 21st century. A sharp, sweeping conversation on power, purpose, and the future of the liberal order.

Show Notes:

Connect with Andrew

X: @andrewmichta

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-a-michta-39116934/

OpEds:

RealClearDefense—“The West Needs to Come Together” 27 October 2025 https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2025/10/27/the_west_needs_to_come_together_1143377.html

RealClearDefense—“The Next U.S. National Security Strategy Risks Misreading History Again” 22 September 2025 https://www.realcleardefense.com/2025/09/22/the_next_us_national_security_strategy_risks_misreading_history_again_1136224.html

Books by Andrew:

The Future of NATO: Regional Defense and Global Security
June 23, 2014 — University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The Limits of Alliance: The United States, NATO, and the EU in North and Central Europe
2006 — Rowman & Littlefield, Lanham, Maryland.

The Soldier-Citizen: The Politics of the Polish Army after Communism
1997 — St. Martin’s Press, New York.

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🇪🇺 Is Europe finally rising as a defence power?
As the war in Ukraine grinds on and populist politics reshape Europe, the EU faces a historic test: defend the continent, support Kyiv, and hold the line against Moscow — while staying united.
In this episode, Dr John Bruni speaks with EU analyst Piotr Maciej Kaczyński on Europe's defence transformation, Poland’s upcoming EU Presidency, and the populist forces reshaping Europe's future. 🔍⚔️

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Clarifications

The Austrian Empire (1804-1867), ruled by the Habsburg dynasty, evolved from the Holy Roman Empire (800-1806), where the Habsburg family dominated politics, providing almost every emperor from 1438 to 1806. In 1867, the Austrian Empire evolved into the Austro-Hungarian Empire as a direct consequence of Hungarian nationalist agitation. The Austro-Hungarian Empire came to an end at the conclusion of World War I in 1918. Overall, the Austrian/Austro-Hungarian Empire lasted 114 years.

The USSR came into being in 1922 and lasted until 1991, that’s 69 years in total.

Yugoslavia, as with the Austrian Empire, had two phases. There was the Kingdom of Yugoslavia (1918-1941) that emerged out of the collapse of the Austrian Empire. It lasted 22 years. After a period of time under NAZI occupation (1941-1945), the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (modern Yugoslavia) was founded after World War II. Ruled by dictator Josip Broz Tito (Yugoslav leader from 1945 to 1980), Yugoslavia lasted till 1991. This phase of Yugoslavia lasted 46 years. In total, Yugoslavia, since its emergence, lasted 68 years.

In comparison, the European Economic Community (EEC) was founded through the Treaty of Rome in 1957, coming into existence the following year in 1958. It evolved into the European Union (EU) in 1993, after the Maastricht Treaty. The UK left the EU in 2016. At present, the European project for economic, currency and political integration has lasted 67 years.

Note: Josef Stalin, Soviet dictator during World War II, did not fight a two-front war because the bulk of the Soviet population lay west of the Ural mountain range, with much of it either threatened or occupied by NAZI forces. The vast expanse of Siberia was largely inhospitable and poorly serviced by transport routes stretching from the developed and most populous parts of the USSR. Therefore, there was no way the Soviets could conduct a sustained two-front war during World War II. For the Soviets, until the NAZI threat was defeated, they could not risk transporting large parts of the Soviet Army to confront the Japanese. This calculus changed upon Germany’s surrender in mid-1945.

SHOW NOTES:

Connect with Piotr

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pkaczyn/

OpEds

“What to expect from Poland’s EU Council presidency in 2025” — by Real Instituto Elcano, 27/01/2025

“Europe after the elections: the centre holds out, but for how long?” — by Real Instituto Elcano, 20/11/2024

“Poland’s shifting positions on the future of the European Union: deepening and widening?” — by Casimir Pulaski Foundation, 30/10/2024

Books

The Ever‑Changing Union: An Introduction to the History, Institutions and Decision‑Making Processes of the European Union (2nd fully revised edition, ~2011) — co-authored.

Upgrading the EU’s Role as Global Actor: Institutions, Law and the Restructuring of European Diplomacy (~2011) — contribution among multiple authors.

Polish Council Presidency 2011: Ambitions and Limitations (~2011) — listed as one of his major works.

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