I read Anthony Bergin’s article in The Australian last month with great interest. In it, he called for Defence to take greater action on climate change, but that view deserves further consideration. He made the …
Debate: "General"
As US President-elect Donald Trump prepares his administration’s policy toward China, he should be wary of two major traps that history has set for him. The ‘Thucydides Trap,’ cited by Chinese President Xi Jinping, refers …
In a recent podcast for Foreign Policy, editor David Rothkopf interviewed Thomas Friedman about his latest book—essentially an argument for why, in 2017, we should feel optimistic about the future. Friedman’s core argument is that …
On 20 January 2017, Donald Trump will be inaugurated as the 45th President of the United States. I would hate to say ‘I told you so,’ but his election should not have come as a …
I was permitted a point of pride late last year when reports came in that Australia’s decoy rocket, Nulka, diverted a missile attack on the American warship USS Mason off the coast of Yemen. As always, success has a …
The Obama administration’s decision last month not to veto the Security Council resolution condemning the building of Jewish settlements in occupied Palestine was akin to closing the barn door after the horse had bolted. The …
Lights up and trumpets sound! Here’s our annual silly-season Madeleine awards, for the use of symbol, stunt, prop, gesture or jest in international affairs. The prize is named after the former US Secretary of State, Madeleine …
Originally published 26 May 2016. In 1983 Bob Hawke and his new Treasurer Paul Keating came to office promising to resist radical changes to Australia’s economic system. Hawke’s election pitch had recognised the economy was …
Originally published 13 September 2016. ‘Anti-access/area denial’ (commonly known as A2AD) has become a hot topic in recent years. Many have detailed the threats that A2AD weapons systems pose to the US military, especially its …
Originally published 31 May 2016. This past weekend marked the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, a day established by the UN General Assembly in 2002 to pay tribute to military, police and civilian peacekeepers …
Originally published 14 October 2016. Last month, Australian Secret Intelligence Service Director-General Nick Warner warned that ISIS affiliates are ‘in Australia’s backyard’, posing a growing threat to Australia’s national security. During a rare public appearance …
Originally published 19 April 2016. For those privileged to attend the second day of ASPI’s Defence White Paper: from the Page to Reality conference on 8 April 2016, the address by the former President of …