Turkey withdraws from Istanbul Convention, sparking protests and legal challenges On 20 March, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan withdrew the country from the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and …
Sea state The Royal Australian Navy has commissioned a new auxiliary oiler replenishment (AOR) ship, HMAS Supply, which replaces the retired HMAS Success. One of two AORs built by Spanish company Navantia, Supply will be …
Planet A Cyclone-triggered flash floods and landslides in eastern Indonesia and Timor-Leste have caused widespread destruction and at least 150 deaths. Relief efforts and search and rescue operations are underway but are being hindered by …
Sea state Three Russian nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines emerged within 300 metres of each other through polar ice and snow during major Arctic exercise Umka-2021 (see video). One fired a torpedo under the ice, while …
Planet A In response to rising sea levels, 10 Pacific nations are mapping their remote island territories to secure permanent rights to exclusive economic zones (EEZs). These small island states, including Fiji, Tuvalu and Kiribati, …
In 2018, the Australia–Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership recognised a ‘proximity advantage’ between eastern Indonesia and northern Australia offering ripe opportunities for development, growth and cooperation. Yet, despite the Australian government’s reported enthusiasm over decades to …
The 2021 ‘State of Southeast Asia’ survey report by Singapore-based think tank ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute reveals some hard realities about Indonesians’ attitudes towards Australia. The survey exposes the limited impact of Australia’s soft-power …
Sea state China’s assertive maritime policies and naval ambitions are being met with an increased European presence in the Indo-Pacific. This year, the UK’s new aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, will transit the South China …
Planet A Bangladesh has axed nine coal-fired power plant projects as high coal prices and low overseas investment have rendered coal production financially untenable in the country. Bangladesh’s shift from coal power began last year …
Debate over fitness tests in US Army With efforts underway in the US Army to re-examine its combat fitness test, Captain Kristen Griest, one of the few women to graduate from US Army Ranger School …
Sea state Prime Minister Scott Morrison ordered two senior naval officers to research alternatives to Australia’s $90 billion submarine contract with France’s Naval Group. Naval Group is yet to finalise its commitment to spend 60% …
Planet A The arctic air blast that hit the US, freezing Texas power plants and leaving millions without power or clean water last week, has highlighted the country’s key vulnerabilities when it comes to extreme …
