Just being a ‘good local cop’ isn’t easy

Today’s Defence White Paper confirms an increasing focus on the security, stability and cohesion of Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and the South Pacific states. Minister Smith signalled Government’s intent to ‘bring our own immediate neighborhood …

12 more Super Hornets

The decision to buy 12 more Super Hornets (in this case EA-18G ‘Growler’ electronic warfare models) which was announced today essentially consolidates the initial decision made in 2006 by the Howard Government. And it’s been …

Women in war: what we don’t know

Over the last couple of years I’ve watched with interest how the ‘gender and Defence’ debates have unfolded in the Australian media. Debates about the inclusion of women in front line combat, physical standards for …

ASPI suggests

There has been a lot said on the Boston Bombings. ASPI’s Toby Feakin on what we know and don’t know: UPDATE: The Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at ANU will be holding a panel discussion on …

US alliance: run Forrest, run!

Defence alliances thrive on liberal doses of new ideas to turn the wheels of big military machines doing practical things. If the ideas dry up, alliances slow down and eventually cease moving forward. Those charged …