Kicking off this week, China has invited foreign tech corporations to join its government’s central technical committee. Technical Committee 260, which reports to the Cyberspace Administration of China, is responsible for establishing China’s cyber security …
Most of Europe’s history has been marked by conflict. The American historian Robert Kagan wrote in 2003 that ‘Americans are from Mars and Europeans are from Venus’; but Europe was for centuries home to the …
Today is the golden age of intelligence. It’s a great time to be an intelligence officer. If our intelligence services were for-profit enterprises, investors would want to make long-term investments in them. Business is that …
I read Geoff Slocombe’s recent post about quantum computing with interest and, I’ll admit, a little skepticism. While there’s no doubt that practical quantum computing would represent a significant step forward in computing power, there …
Sea State The Indian Navy was hit by a massive data leak last week after sensitive technical data about its new Scorpene class attack submarines fell into the hands of The Australian. An inside source …
Diversifying choice of fuel supplies can have a real impact on naval operational capacity, in addition to managing the costs sustaining capability. This month there’s been lots of naval talk about alternative fuels when the …
In a week where we’ve looked back at ASPI’s first 15 years it may be useful to contemplate what the next 15 years might look like for the Institute. Will ASPI survive to 2031? Will …
A recent ABC Lateline program has stirred fresh debate about the exercise of war powers in Australia, following the Chilcot Report’s criticism of the United Kingdom government’s decision-making in the lead-up to the Iraq War. …
I vividly remember learning in mid-2003 that the Howard Government was going to intervene in Solomon Islands along the lines of ASPI’s Solomon Islands report. It was exciting that ASPI was contributing to government policy. …
The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier has been the ultimate symbol of American power and prestige for decades. These vessels are both incredibly capable and incredibly expensive. However, the combination of the proliferation of long range anti-access/area …
Australia is to get only its third Foreign and Trade White Paper. The aim is to create a ‘philosophical framework to guide Australia’s engagement, regardless of international events.’ The Foreign Minister sets the bar high …
Although China’s rise is hardly stop-press stuff, a couple of recent excellent pieces have held a microscope to the powerful state’s relationships with its near and not-so-near neighbours. First off, this Washington Post piece …
Countering violent extremism is a core element of the Australian government’s counterterrorism strategy. It’s a complex policy issue, with community-level disruption activities running the risk of infringing on civil liberties. The British government’s experience in …
Every morning I’m quite sure that two people wake up thinking, ‘thank goodness Nic Stuart isn’t a theoretical physicist’. I’m one. The other is my science teacher. The point of this revelation is that when …
Since ASPI was established in 2002, the annual Cost of Defence has delivered 3,579 pages on defence budgeting and management. In total, that’s something like a million words, plus several thousand charts and tables. Most …
A recurring objection to the use of unmanned combat air systems (UCAS) for any role currently filled by fighter or attack aircraft is that robots can’t replace human fighter pilots. It’s probably a bit optimistic …
The Beat High in the sky A seven news exclusive reveals Queensland police drones have located a $4.5 million cannabis crop in Springbrook national park. The new aerial capability is described a ‘real game changer’ …
There’s a Chinese perspective that holds there are two kinds of time. Looking back is far more valuable than looking ahead, for it’s by looking back that lessons are understood and appropriate conclusions drawn. So …
Speculation is rife in Washington that President Barack Obama may announce several key changes to US nuclear policy in his final address to the UN General Assembly next month. Obama is looking to advance his …
This is an era of intense political news management by governments. It’s an extraordinary thing that one of the governments that has been most effective at it, the Howard government, put in place an organisation …
