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.

Sea change

Australia has been given a wake-up call with the arrival of a Chinese naval battlegroup off the Australian coast underlining the power imbalance between the two navies.

Nothin’ but trouble

The head of ASIO has painted a gloomy picture of national prospects and international affairs as social strife and authoritarian aggression loom large on the agenda.

On military service

Military service has developed a checkered reputation in modern society, but it can still develop the values of humanity, empathy and compassion rather than degrading them.

Silence isn’t golden

The Federal Government’s habit of evading, ignoring or downplaying security threats undermines public trust, encourages conspiracy theories and emboldens our enemies.

Naming names

The government has released its first report on foreign interference in Australian affairs but remains curiously reluctant to name the countries involved.

Safeguarding Australia

The government’s failure to address critical vulnerabilities in defence, energy security, and economic resilience exposes the nation to unprecedented risks.

Bambi meets Godzilla

China’s unveiling of radical prototype aircraft has sent shockwaves through the West’s defence establishment, as China now threatens to out-innovate as well as out-produced its democratic counterparts in terms of military might.

Crisis of confidence

We ask more and more of our army and, rightly or not, lash it when it stumbles, but it has overcorrected on its course correction following the Brereton inquiry.

Tomorrow’s Army today

The head of Australia’s army, Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, has laid out his vision for a more effective and accountable service.

The A2Z of ANZ

Australia and New Zealand engage in wide-ranging daily cooperation, but seldom refer to the alliance between them. Has the alliance become irrelevant? Or is it so taken-for-granted, and the habits of cooperation so entrenched, that it is seen as unnecessary to emphasise it?

Australia needs a coastguard

A new maritime service with smaller, cheaper craft could boost Australia’s maritime security at a time when it’s under more threat than ever.