Naming and shaming the unshameable

In the light of escalating cyber attacks from Russia, China and other hostile actors, the West is taking a more proactive approach to naming the perpetrators and taking active counter-measures.

‘Rules based order’ should be based on UN principles, not national convenience

It’s time for Australia’s leaders to wean themselves off the overused and increasingly meaningless expression, ‘rules-based global order’. We should instead uphold the principles outlined in the UN Charter, as uncomfortable as that may be.

New Australian manual looks to regulate ‘Star Wars’

A definitive document to regulate military and security law in space is being drafted by experts from Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Unmasking Australia’s offensive cyber capability

A new policy brief builds on official government statements about Australia’s ability to fight back against cyber attacks. It offers more detail on the strengths and weaknesses of our offensive cyber power, explains the risks involved in its use and details some of its checks and balances.

All Leninist autocracies are equal, but some are more equal than others

Common threads among the Chinese, Russian, North Korean and Iranian regimes add up to a disturbing strategic challenge to Western states’ power and stability, but these states use different tactics to further their goals.

The political aftershocks of PNG’s earthquake need careful handling

The earthquake in Papua New Guinea on 26 February killed over 100 people and left 270,000 needing humanitarian help. The social aftermath is now undermining the affected areas’ LNG project, responsible for 40% of PNG’s exports.

An alternative to the rules-based order?

There’s a fundamental problem in Australia’s relationship with China: China’s growth advances prosperity but menaces security. If the rules-based order construct does not suit volatile times then is there an alternative?

Re-focusing Australia’s military lens on space

A new strategy integrating the broader government, military, industry and academic elements of space power would enhance Australia’s contribution to safeguarding this critically important domain.

Could private security staff play a greater anti-terrorism role?

There are more private security guards in Australia than police officers. Security expert Don Williams explores the synergies between security industry licensing and counter-terrorism as efforts to safeguard Australians from attack in public places intensify.

Time for a national strategy?

Australia needs a lot more than luck or a ‘she’ll be right’ attitude to thrive in the uncertain and hyper competitive 21st century. Without a national strategy, the shaping of Australia’s destiny will be left to fate at best, or to foreign influence at worst.

China’s accelerating quest for techno-military supremacy

Once installed as leader for life, Chinese President Xi Jinping will press forward with plans to eclipse the United States and assert regional, and perhaps in time global, dominance by building the world’s most powerful military force.

Defence backs the U.N. women, peace and security agenda

Australia’s first female Defence Minister, Marise Payne, underlines the role which Australia and the ADF play in supporting the U.N. Women, Peace and Security Agenda.