The high stakes of grand strategy

The Chinese challenge in Asia, and the Russian threat to the west, are real and require genuine debate, perhaps even strategic innovation. This may all sound intellectually confronting, but it’s vital to confront reality. Our future may well depend on it.

The gray zone and ‘hybrid warfare’

Our increasing connectivity and reliance on information technology is a vulnerability being targeted by two key threats: cyber attacks and the subversion of our democratic institutions.

It’s time for Canberra to stop kowtowing to Beijing

Managing relations with China is the most challenging foreign and security policy problem facing Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his re-elected government. While appeasement is always the easy option, a strong stance is required to protect the region and our liberties.

The threat to the West from ‘political warfare’

A new form of ‘political warfare’ has emerged in the internet age, with information campaigns, cyber operations and social media propaganda used by hostile state actors to undermine western democracies.

More is at stake than merely leaked information

Australians are right to be alarmed about police raids on the ABC and a newspaper journalist’s home.

Standing up to bullies in the South China Sea

Public diplomacy around Australia’s relationship with the Chinese state in general, and the antics of its military in the South China Sea in particular, are becoming a major issue for Canberra.

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”.

Flying the flag in the Pacific

Amid growing concern about potential threats to peace in the Indo-Pacific, a Royal Australian Navy task force has completed a three-month tour of seven key nations, underlining Australia’s commitment to the region.

Australia should stop bolstering China’s military

A clear statement that Australia will not increase the war fighting capability of the Chinese military would be common sense and offer a guiding principle for future decision-making.

An agenda for Australia’s lead cyber negotiator

Australia’s place on a U.N. cyber-security body offers a unique opportunity to help shape the international agenda.

The ADF must invest in new technology

The Federal government has invested in new planes, ships and fighting vehicles to strengthen Australia’s armed forces but it should also embrace experimentation and investment in autonomous and semi-autonomous systems for land, air, sea and undersea operations.

Australia remains vulnerable to a catastrophic cyber attack

Scott Morrison has taken credit for ‘stopping the boats’, but his government has failed to do anything meaningful to bolster cyber security and Labor isn’t offering anything better.