Analysis

Experts warn UK needs a larger, more lethal Royal Navy in face of mounting global challenges
Despite workforce and budgetary pressures, a group of UK experts have urged the next British government to rapidly begin expanding the Royal Navy to...
June 26 2024
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Growing opportunities for Sino-Russian military cooperation poses major challenges: RAND Corporation
The Sino-Russian relationship has only gone from strength to strength since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and while history may be against it, growing Western...
June 25 2024
Are we really losing Cold War II or have we already lost it?
With the autocratic nations seemingly on the march across the world, it is easy to see why for some commentators, the West is losing this second Cold War, or perhaps in this...
June 24 2024
Becoming ‘incoercible’: How does Australia ensure its sovereignty from great power coercion?
There is a popular internet meme among libertarians that describes an individual’s efforts to become “ungovernable”. So how does Australia model this...
June 20 2024
Pure gold or glass beads? Warnings abound for Australia amid Li’s visit
It is the first major visit by a Chinese leader for nearly a decade and while everything appears to be “normalising” in the Australia–China relationship, we...
June 19 2024
Flashpoint Taiwan: What if America does nothing?
Many analysts are focused on the impact and costs associated with a war over Taiwan, and rightfully so. However, one question that a few seem to have asked is: What happens...
June 18 2024
Getting some clarity: Foreign Minister defines Australia’s ‘national interest’
For many, the idea of “national interest” is a hangover from a bygone age, outdated in the modern globalised world. However, our adversaries are using their...
June 17 2024
Aussies have a mixed outlook on a mixed-up world
Australians have always had a confused relationship with their place in the world, our policy of deference to “great and powerful friends” typifies this, but in...
June 14 2024
Can we have an honest conversation about President Biden?
Politics aside, it is time to have an honest conversation with people about American President Joe Biden and the message he himself conveys to a world full of circling,...
June 13 2024
Embracing a Shawshank approach to defence policy? Stranger things have been suggested
The walls are closing in, the yard is full of potentially violent thugs and one in particular has his eyes set firmly on us, so how can embracing a “prison-like”...
June 11 2024
Modern challenges require modern solutions: National Service to enhance Australia’s hard and soft power
The concept of National Service being reintroduced has well and truly set a cat among the pigeons; however, tweaking a traditional approach to embrace modern sensitivities...
June 07 2024
Loyal deputy or regional anchor? ANZUS provides our strategic centre so we can provide the regional foundation
Since 1951, the ANZUS Treaty has empowered Australia to bolster regional security and stability. However, despite our significant contributions, we’re frequently...
June 06 2024
Beijing’s navy continues to expand fleet, capability amid mounting tensions
In the past few weeks, Beijing has rapidly accelerated its coercion campaign against the island democracy of Taiwan, raising concerns that they move sooner rather than later,...
June 05 2024
Don’t assume we will win
For the first time in eight decades, our way of life and the order upon which it is built is coming under direct assault. Where things differ is the lasting cultural impact...
June 04 2024
Dangerous mismatch: Rhetoric, funding and outcomes not up to snuff, warns ASPI head
The time for the rubber to hit the road is now fast approaching for the Albanese government, as the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) budget report details a...
June 03 2024
If Australia is serious about preparing, what does our ‘Rocky montage’ moment look like?
We have heard consistently over the last decade, at the very least, that Australia needs to prepare a “whole-of-nation” response to face the most serious...
May 30 2024
Real-world policy: Letting Ukraine deploy weapons into Russia is just common sense
NATO Secretary General and former Prime Minister of Norway, Jens Stoltenberg, is encouraging Western allies to lift their weapons-use restrictions on Ukraine.
May 29 2024
British calls for return of National Service kick-off interesting argument, but raise some valid points
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has used the first week of the UK’s election campaign to launch a return of National Service, prompting backlash from young Brits but...
May 28 2024
Domestic slowdown pre-empts shift in BRI investment and foreign influence strategy
As Beijing struggles with stagnating domestic economic growth, its leaders haven’t lost sight of their broader regional and global ambitions, pivoting the Belt and Road...
May 27 2024
An ‘axis’ NATO? Chinese Foreign Minister calls for Shanghai Cooperation Organisation to boost security cooperation
Beijing’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, has used ministerial meetings between the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s member states to urge closer coordination,...
May 24 2024