^[1]

Kicking off today is Russia’s attempt to cosy up to Indonesia. A week after President Joko Widodo was inaugurated, the Russian government announced it’ll support Jokowi’s maritime policies ^[2] and offer Indonesia ‘various types of ships, multi-level intelligence systems, as well as establish a ship service center and a production center for spare parts.’ The president of the United Shipbuilding Corporation, established by President Putin, will be in Jakarta next week. That development was reported after the US Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus, expressed interest in boosting maritime cooperation ^[3] with, you guessed it, Indonesia.

Also on Indonesia, CNAS’ Alexander Sullivan has a new report on strengthening US–Indonesia defence ties ^[4] which recommends Indonesia ensure its goal of 1.5% GDP defence spending is met within Jokowi’s first term. Keep reading here ^[5].

Underwater drones with microphones ^[6] are being used to listen for Chinese nuclear submarines. US and Singaporean researchers are testing this technology as part of an operation, Project Mission, to link Singapore underwater surveillance systems to an American one designed to track submarines. The article notes that Singapore has made ‘significant advances in underwater acoustics’, and this resonates with some of Andrew Davies’ thinking, that (now for Chinese submarines) there are limits to being stealthy ^[7].

Medical researchers are warning of a looming co-epidemic where higher rates of diabetes ^[8] among developing countries, particularly in Asia, renders the population two to three times more susceptible to contracting active tuberculosis (TB). One third of the global population harbours the dormant TB germ. In our region, countries at risk include China, India and Indonesia, where white sugar is increasingly consumed, but industrialised countries could also be affected ^[9].

What did we learn from the ‘Kim Jong-un has disappeared’ hysteria? Writing on Lowy Interpreter, Robert E. Kelly drew three conclusions ^[10], which included the observations that the Kims are the Korean version of the Corleones and that there’s far too much focus on them. ICYMI, here’s The Onion’s speculation on why KJU was MIA ^[11].

China has extended its deadline for Australia to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank ^[12], after originally only offering a two-day deadline. China is seemingly desperate for Australia to join. Opposition from Washington is partly responsible for the reluctance to sign up, along with division within the cabinet. Will this damage Sino-Australia relations, especially as free trade deals are being finalised?

A new interactive game ‘1000 Days of Syria’ helps you get inside the mind of a Syrian and face ethical decisions ^[13] between self preservation and societal demands. The creator believes that the game will incite moral questions regarding different scenarios the player encounters in the game, and hopefully will raise greater understanding of the Syrian conflict.

Podcast

Loopcast’s latest podcast features Dr John Horgan who discusses terrorism behaviour and deradicalisation ^[14] (46mins).

Following the launch of the Women in Defence & Security Network, here’s a CSIS-hosted podcast series called Smart Women, Smart Power ^[15] featuring leading women from national security and the private sector discussing international issues, including ISIS, sexual slavery and radical Islam ^[16]; commercial diplomacy ^[17]; and politics in Putin’s Russia ^[18].

Event

Canberra: Xunchao Zhang explores a hypothetical scenario of a US energy blockage against China and the counter-strategies China is likely to employ ^[19]. The talk is at the ANU on Tuesday 4 November at 11.50am.

Natalie Sambhi ^[20] is an analyst at ASPI and managing editor of The Strategist. Penelope Czyzewska is currently completing a degree in national security, and is undertaking work experience at ASPI through the University of Canberra. Image courtesy of Flickr user Microbe World ^[21].