China rules the waves

China’s remorseless quest for dominance in the South China Sea is merely part of its strategy to bludgeon its neighbours into subservience without a shot being fired.

Gun boat diplomacy

China has the largest navy in the world and has its addiction to gun-boat diplomacy from the South China Sea to the Tasman should provoke a debate about defence in the forthcoming election.

High noon at Second Thomas Shoal

China has identified the beleaguered garrison at Second Thomas Shoal as a weak link to bully and intimidate, so a joint Philippines-US operation to resupply the Sierrra Madre would send a firm signal of deterrence and alliance cohesion to China.

Lessons from Finland

Finland has suffered centuries of bullying and invasion at the hands of Russia, and in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has placed itself firmly in the democratic camp by joining NATO.

A special envoy to ASEAN?

Appointing a special envoy to ASEAN would free up more of Penny Wong’s time to devote to the Pacific and Southeast Asia, signalling Australia’s acknowledgement of the region’s importance.

The perils of pragmatism

A foreign policy in Asia that does not encompass a continuing commitment to freedom and human rights is one that forgets who we are as a nation and what we believe in.

Australian Navy helicopters hit with Chinese lasers

Australian ships participating in a recent exercise were the subject of close attention by shadowing Chinese assets, ranging from demands for course information from Chinese navy ships to lasers aimed from “fishing vessels”.