In the 20th century, Australia’s strategic relationship with India was so frigid it was in negative territory for decades. In the 21st century, Australia and India have begun to attempt strategic convergence. That rapid shift …
Articles by: "Graeme Dobell"
Some big strategic brains fit the proof about why journalists shouldn’t run things—merely watch five of ‘em decide where to lunch. Robert O’Neill shatters that proof. Here’s a big strategic brain that can think and …
Canberra cabinet making is an inexact science. In creating a front bench, the roll call of winners and losers is writ large. Then comes the harder stuff of gauging the power and personal chemistry throbbing …
Starting as a geographer, Paul Dibb became one of Australia’s great strategists. The discipline of geography is vital to the Dibb understanding of power, strategy and defence planning. For Dibb, geography disciplines strategy in the same …
Politicians can be divided into ‘straights’, ‘fixers’ and ‘maddies,’ and Malcolm Turnbull must quickly find his inner fixer. The transformation isn’t impossible because Turnbull has already tried the other two categories. In his first stint …
Australia does baling wire diplomacy—practical, pragmatic and proudly makeshift. Oz rural tradition decrees a bloke with baling wire can fix a gate or fence or shed or even a tractor. Baling wire diplomacy is adequate …
If China’s future course is the vital question, the answers in economy-world are different to those in security-world. The versions of China offered in the two worlds clash in nature, form and quality. In security-world, …
Deep into the Press Club foreign affairs debate a faint ticking started—the hint of a time-bomb in Australia–Indonesia relations. The Indonesia time-bomb wasn’t directly mentioned, just hinted. That is apt because Australia’s international relations have …
The journalist questions in the Oz election debate on foreign policy started with the South China Sea and ended on China’s suppression of internal dissent. As with the defence debate last week, China throbs. In …
Happy the democracy waging an election with little argument about foreign affairs and defence. The outside world isn’t pressing too hard. The threats are far off and chances are good. A democracy that dwells inward …
The defence discussion in the Australia election is calm and agreeable in tone—except for China. The Turnbull government doesn’t want to push too hard on the South China Sea, while the Labor opposition is more …
The threats to Asia’s future peace of mind: China versus the US, the South China Sea, North Korea—and then there’s Trump. The Donald is a powerful reminder of the fundamental duality in Asia’s responses to …