Facing up to reality in Sino-Australian relations

Chinese Communist Party interference in Australian affairs is real, not mere rhetoric, and it’s the central reason for bilateral tensions. Mistakes in how the China–Australia relationship has been managed shouldn’t lead us to lose sight of that crucial fact.

A ‘clever’ Australia needs a larger, more potent navy

Australia is surrounded by the three largest oceans on earth, yet governments over more than three decades have failed to focus on forward defence via powerful, sustainable and deployed maritime forces.

Will Australia defend the ‘rules-based order’ in Asia?

The heated and polarised debate about the consequences of China’s increasing military assertiveness has raised doubts about the future of the ‘rules-based order’ in the region, as invoked by the Turnbull government in numerous speeches and policy statements.

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.