The Strategist ASPI suggests

ASPI suggests

Posted By The Editors on September 20, 2013 @ 14:30

The capabilities and numbers of Australian submarines are bound to be a major issue for the new Defence Minister. One of the major considerations will be the future of American submarine capabilities. And as far as our own subs go – Mark Thomson says that the new government should put all options for the future submarine back on the table.

Terrorism researcher J.M. Berger writes Foreign Policy piece on his fascinating yet strange relationship with a terrorist, Omar Hammami. Here’s a snippet:

But there was an unavoidable sense that there was a human being on the other side of the line, one who could well die in the middle of our conversation.

It weighed on me, and I couldn't quite figure out if that was appropriate, all things considered. We were, after all, enemies, if you asked either of us. I was also dealing with him as a journalist, my role being to chronicle and not get involved.

Recently, China has made some noise telling the US to keep its nose out of the dispute with Japan over the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands (here and here). ASPI Analyst Harry White writes in The National Interest that the US should do the opposite, and support Japan more explicitly.

Speaking of China’s maritime disputes, the Council on Foreign Relations has this guide to China’s maritime disputes – including an excellent interactive summary map.

Ross Terrill, recently ASPI visiting senior fellow, also had this piece in the Financial Review: a clear China policy may elude the Coalition.

Last up: what happens when the USAF gets bored in the Gulf of Mexico? They drop an (inert) laser-guided GBU-24 Paveway II bomb onto a tiny motorboat.

Events

Canberra: The Centre for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament (CNND) in association with DFAT and the Australian Institute of International Affairs will host a public seminar to mark the official launch of DFAT’s Documents on Australian Foreign Policy series: Australia and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, 1945–1974. Presenters include Associate Prof Wayne Reynolds, Prof Ramesh Thakur, and Mr Mike Smith, at the ANU’s Hedley Bull Centre on Wednesday 25 September at 5pm.

Reminder: The Kokoda Foundation’s Future Strategic Leaders’ Program Networking Event at the Waldorf Hotel, Civic, on next Thursday 26 September at 5.30pm. Register here.

Sydney: Dr Alana Maurushat and Mr Rod Hamper will speak on cyber attacks in Australia, threats and how to deal with them. Hosted by AIIA NSW, the event is at Glover Cottages on Tuesday 24 September at 6pm.

Chief Executive of the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, Mr Mike Pezzullo, will present on border management and its role in supporting national economic competitiveness. Hosted by The Lowy Institute, the event is on Wednesday 25 September at 12.30pm. Details here.

Melbourne: Should the international community intervene in Syria? AIIA VIC is hosting a young professionals' debate on the topic at Dyason House on Wednesday 25 September at 6pm.

Images courtesy of the Royal Australian Navy, US Air Force.

Correction: an earlier version of this edition of 'ASPI suggests' incorrectly identified the weapon being targeted onto the 'tinnie' in the photo as a GBU-10. The error originated in the linked press article. The editors are confident that either weapon would be sufficient for the task.

Article printed from The Strategist: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au

URL to article: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/aspi-suggests-32-2/

[1] Image: http://www.aspistrategist.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/4817385595_31cd55c0e4_b.jpg

[2] the future of American submarine capabilities: http://washington.cbslocal.com/2013/09/14/u-s-navy-finds-that-demand-for-submarines-far-outweighs-supply/

[3] the new government should put all options for the future submarine back on the table: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/photos/australian-strategic-policy-institute8217s-mark-thomson-says-all-options-for-future-submarines-should-be-back-on-the-table/story-fnii5yv6-1226722406908

[4] Foreign Policy piece: http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2013/09/16/omar_and_me?page=full

[5] here: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2013-09/18/c_132732657.htm?utm_content=buffer6203e&utm_source=buffer&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Buffer

[6] here: http://news.yahoo.com/china-military-tells-u-not-encourage-japan-over-041422796.html

[7] US should do the opposite, and support Japan more explicitly: http://nationalinterest.org/commentary/stand-firm-the-east-china-sea-9080

[8] guide to China’s maritime disputes: http://www.cfr.org/asia-and-pacific/chinas-maritime-disputes/p31345#!/

[9] clear China policy may elude the Coalition: http://www.afr.com/p/opinion/clear_china_policy_may_elude_coalition_GSqCnCDzRFyPPkjYS7J7PO

[10] They drop an (inert) laser-guided GBU-24 Paveway II bomb onto a tiny motorboat.: http://www.news.com.au/technology/us-air-force-drops-laserguided-gbu10-bomb-on-tiny-motorboat/story-e6frfro0-1226722705114

[11] Image: http://www.aspistrategist.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/704986-c8afa350-2048-11e3-9e56-5e7e9e244699.jpg

[12] public seminar: https://crawford.anu.edu.au/events/2526/launch-australia-and-nuclear-non-proliferation-treaty-1945-1974

[13] here: http://www.kokodafoundation.org/YSLF-Events?eventId=754548&EventViewMode=EventDetails

[14] cyber attacks in Australia: http://www.aiia.asn.au/events/all-events/event/811-cyber-attacks-in-australia-

[15] here: http://lowyinstitute.org/events/lowy-lecture-series-border-management-and-its-role-supporting-national-economic-competitiveness-mr

[16] Should the international community intervene in Syria: http://www.aiia.asn.au/events/all-events/event/814-young-professionals-forum-debate-should-the-international-community-intervene-in-syria

[17] Royal Australian Navy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/royal_australian_navy/4817385595/