Military allies for every major war and conflict of the 20th century, and major economic and cultural exchange partners, the relationship between the United States and Australia remains deep and wide-ranging. Australia's position in the South Pacific has made it a strategic partner in a vital region of the globe.

Few communicate the importance of this relationship better than former Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, who considers the partnership between the two countries as being based not only on common interests, but common commitments to defending the West and liberal institutions.

Join us for this timely and insightful conversation.

Lunch will be provided to all registered guests.

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For more information about this event, please email sppevents@pepperdine.edu, or call 310.506.7490.

Speaker: Tony Abbott

Tony Abbott served as Australia's 28th prime minister and was the member for Warringah in the Australian parliament between 1994 and 2019. As the local MP, he was instrumental in the creation of the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust to preserve the natural and built heritage of his electorate and elsewhere. He is a Rhodes Scholar and the author of three other books: The Minimal Monarchy, How to Win the Constitutional War and Battlelines. From 1998 to 2018, he convened the Pollie Pedal annual charity bike ride, which has supported organisations including Soldier On, Carers Australia and Wandering Warriors.

Speaker: Kiron Skinner

Kiron Skinner is the founding director of the Institute for Diplomacy, Security, and Innovation at Pepperdine University and the inaugural Taube Family Chair of International Relations and Politics at the Pepperdine School of Public Policy. She is a renowned scholar, diplomat, cybersecurity expert, and former State Department and Defense Department official. Skinner has served as the Taube Professor of International Relations and Politics at the School of Public Policy since 2022 and provided her expert insights on international relations, US foreign policy, political strategy, and cyber security both in the classroom and with external audiences.