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.

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.

The new great game in the South Pacific

We don’t have the funds to out-build China’s navy, and so Australia needs to understand and more meaningfully engage with its South Pacific neighbours to win hearts and minds as well as secure defence cooperation.

Shoring up the north

The economic future of Australia’s north is firmly focused on exports, but it could also host more industrial capacity, not least to support the Defence industry.

Defending Australia in an age of strategic disruption

The threat to Australia is real and increasing, for the first time since the Second World War.
The ADF must increase its readiness for conflict, with more training, higher stocks of munitions and protected operational bases in the north.

Squaring the defence circle with tied hands

Defence’s worst kept secret is now officially public as Defence Minister Linda Reynolds revealed at last week’s Sea Power conference in Sydney that her Department is conducting a strategic review.

Maximising the economic benefit of Australia’s defence projects

The Department of Defence needs to ensure that current and future megaprojects actively foster Australian innovation and maximise local industry involvement in areas of high economic value.

How to defend Australia

The task Australia faces in deciding its future levels of defence spending is to balance that risk against the cost of building the armed forces required to deal with it.

How not to defend Australia?

Hugh White’s “How to defend Australia” is an elegant book but it’s fundamentally wrong on just about every judgement it contains.

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.