China overhauls the USA in technology research

China has overtaken the United States as the overwhelming leader in technological research over the last two decades, according to ASPI’s Critical Technology Tracker.

The war on women

A spate of murderous attacks on women around Australia has heightened calls for the Australian government to establish a Royal Commission into gender-based violence.

Does Australia need a national security advisor?

Australia’s ability to navigate the world could be strengthened by appointing an influential and autonomous National Security Advisor who can work hand in glove with their global counterparts in tenacious pursuit of our interests.

A closer look at foreign policy research

The best research think tanks produce is often work no one will fund. If it breaks new ground it’s often difficult to convince potential funders of its merit.

Boosting Australia’s foreign policy research

In a precarious and fast-changing world, there are several opportunities for Australia to improve the policy advice generated by our vibrant small think-tank sector.

Defending democracies from disinformation and foreign interference

Democracies can take steps to mitigate the risks of cyber-enabled foreign interference, and increase their power by banding together to attribute, raise costs and deter interference by hostile states.

Understanding the attack on Australia’s parliament and political parties

The Australian government has been reluctant to ‘name and shame’ states engaged in hostile cyber operations, but should this change now the latest assault has targeted the home of democracy – Parliament House – and the nation’s political parties only months out from a federal election?

The great wall of silence: Australia’s failure to talk about China

Australia’s silence on the attribution of cyber-attacks and intellectual property theft by China is part of a broader silence which does nothing to serve Australia’s national interest.

PNG to push out Facebook, taking a sharp turn into cyber censorship

PNG’s Communications Minister Sam Basil, a regular Facebook user himself, has announced that PNG will shut down the social media site for a month so that his department can research how the network is being used. Whether or not it actually happens, the announcement bodes ill for the nation.