The Grumpy Strategists

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About the show

Latest episodes

• AUKUS at 5: Not Dead Yet. Don't make the rookie error its about submarines - it's about the "Geopolitical Imaginary"....and Dune....

  September 22, 2026 · 54 min

  In Episode 82, Marcus scours the garbage bins around government offices in Canberra to feed the SAA bunker's furnaces and so avoid rising energy prices as the Houthis block Red Sea shipments. It's a nervous time, even deep in the…

• The Censorship Edition: slow change accelerates in politics, war, cricket & climate. But Govt censorship just keeps rolling

  September 11, 2026 · 51 min

  Marcus and Michael broadcast this edition of the Grumpy Strategists from two secure locations: Marcus kicking back birdwatching from SAA's home bunker in the Brindabellas outside Canberra, and from an undisclosed site in Secret Harbor WA…

• Australia's two "Wunderwaffen" can't both be magical: Hunter frigates and AUKUS subs

  August 29, 2026 · 51 min

  The Grumpies return to SAA's bunker deep in the Brindabella Hills. It's time to take stock of the $9 billion spent so far on 3 Hunter frigates for Australia's Navy, with $18 billion still to go. The right time to stop a bad project is now…

• UK Count Binface's Australian Connection, AUKUS August, and Lethal Wellbeing

  August 11, 2026 · 43 min

  Michael calls in from Count Binface's campaign to beat Reform UK's Nigel Farage in the Clacton by-election. The Grumpies ponder a Binface-type manifesto for Australia - "I will cut your taxes and raise everyone else's," along with "The…

• AUKUS subs' temporary base is permanent again: Mr Conroy loses his trousers in Washington, startling Elbridge Colby

  August 1, 2026 · 53 min

  Marcus undertakes an emergency mercy flight to Washington DC to comfort and counsel Department of War deputy Elbridge Colby, stunned by the stab in the back from America's Aussie ally on American access to a sub base in Western Australia…

• Grumpy Strategists episode 77: Those silly Canadians. Drone wars - US joins Ukraine. & Zumwalt: The Expense Continues

  July 20, 2026 · 43 min

  It's a packed episode from the SAA bunker deep in the Brindabella Hills: Marcus gets into the world of high fashion with Gina Rinehart and Pauline Hanson, Michael marvels at Canada's "Three Stupids" from their recent submarine decision…

• Accountability is king, but no one is responsible. The tragedy of Australian Defence leaders forced to waste their time & our money

  July 10, 2026 · 52 min

  In Episode 76, the Grumpy Strategists ponder revelations of $29 billion of waste in just some of Australia's big defence projects from Minister for defence industry Pat Conroy. His answer: bold reform that changes things in minor ways that…

• Unaccountable rises: A Defence leadership Trifecta performs at Parliament, while China shifts the ground on AUKUS

  June 21, 2026 · 42 min

  Marcus and Michael each pick their three stand out takeaways from Australian Defence officials testimony about delivery and performance to the Parliament. It's hard to pick winners in a field like this, but there's some overlap in the…