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.

Assessing current threats to Australia

Mike Burgess of ASIO has delivered his first annual assessment of the terrorist, technological and security threats facing Australia.

Battle of the memes

Hostile states such as Russia and China are consciously using ‘memes’ to amplify the loudest voices in democratic debates to deepen the divisions between us.

If you fail to prepare, then prepare to fail

Australia must invest in a range of industrial, logistical and military capabilities to improve its war fighting capability and deter Chinese aggression.

The fog of Wuhan

After initially suppressing news of the Wuhan virus outbreak, we can’t be sure whether authoritarian China is now using a sledgehammer to crack a nut, or whether this new coronavirus presents a serious global health threat.

Defence and disaster management

A greater role for the ADF in disaster response seems inevitable, but it will take significant investment and cross-agency cooperation to create a fit for purpose response force.

Dying of thirst?

Water shortages around the world, exacerbated by population increases, environmental mismanagement and climate change, are creating tensions which may soon spill into war.

Caught between the sword and shield

For the last 50 years, Australian defence policy has wavered between the sword and shield, but as the strategic environment changes, we may have to choose between them once and for all.

Ourselves, alone

Many people believe that Australia would never need to defend itself unaided, however the reality is that we must depend on our own resources to ensure our own defence.

Time out for TikTok

The news that Chinese-owned video-sharing app TikTok is not approved for use on devices owned by Australia’s Department of Defence should come as no surprise.

The rocky road from concept to combat

The way industry, the army and military scientists worked together to harden the Bushmaster against ever more devastating IEDs offers a model of effective defence cooperation.

Standing alone: why Australia can’t rely on America

The rising threat of China and the relative decline in American power and resolve mean that Australia must get serious about assuring its own defence in the future.