All planned out

The Defence Department faces the choice of either sticking with the certainty of insufficient funding or undertaking the whole planning process once again and hoping the next ‘certain’ figure will be more meaningful.

Defending multilateralism and the rules-based global order

The rules-based global order has underpinned Australia’s approach to defence and foreign policy over the past 70 years and although the role played by the USA is under question, Australia can step up to be a force for good in international affairs.

Strengthening the north is a strategic priority

Renewing a serious Australian defence presence in the nation’s north should become a compelling and increasingly urgent matter of strategic policy and capability planning given increasing regional threats.

Australia’s Rules-Based International Order

The ‘rules-based international order’ has become a rhetorical centrepiece of Australian international policy. One of the challenges in the current moment is that the rules and principles that were built on the foundation of American primacy are being questioned as power shifts.

Defend your democracy

John Berry, the former American Ambassador to Canberra, urges Australia, the United States and other democracies to stand up to autocratic and increasingly aggressive nations such as Russia and China and protect their institutions against all attempts to undermine them.

The US Alliance – Our dependence grows as our options narrow

Australia’s dependence on the United States in the post–Cold War era has grown as the strategic options in our region have narrowed. Our national strategy of ‘defence self-reliance within our alliances’ is now being tilted by major shifts in power relativities and US engagement

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.

China makes its play for the Pacific

China is denying reports it wants a naval base on Vanuatu but growing Chinese power and influence in the region underlines the need for effective Australian steps to strengthen Western influence.