Mixed defence news for India this week: the county’s first indigenously built nuclear-powered submarine was activated days before an incident in which the kilo-class submarine INS Sindhurakshak exploded. Eighteen Indian sailors are feared dead. The Economist described it as a week of triumph and tragedy for India’s Navy.

Over at CogitASIA blog, Chris Doyle’s new post on ‘Five Eyes’ and the Australia–US joint stake in cybersecurity argues that ‘Five Eyes’ countries should consider facilitating information-sharing between civilian agencies like the US Department of Homeland Security and ASIO.

And speaking of Five Eyes community, this piece looks at the 5 Questions the Royal Canadian Navy should ask when contemplating a Pacific pivot of its own.

If a pivot is in the offing, it will be a modest affair by great-power standards. Ottawa has maritime interests of immense scope but few resources to throw at them. Savvy strategy is even more important for middleweight powers like Canada than for a great power like the United States.

Elbridge Colby responds to T.X. Hammes over AirSea Battle and war with China in The National Interest.

But the United States’ footprint isn’t growing everywhere, Reuters reports that Germany is set to overtake America as the world’s number two exporter by the end of the year.

Predictably, members of Japan’s government visited the Yasukuni Shrine, which honours Japan’s war dead, on the anniversary of Japan’s World War II defeat. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe refrained from visiting in person (he sent an aide with an offering to make on his behalf). But, unsurprisingly, Beijing was less than impressed: ‘Can you imagine what the world would think of Germany if they paid homage to Nazi boss Hitler?’ said retired Chinese Major General Luo Yuan.

But it’s not all bad news in Northeast Asia. The two Korea’s continue to warm slowly, with South Korean President Park Geun-hye saying on Thursday that the two countries would restart organising reunions of families separated by the Korean War. North and South also agreed to reopen the industrial park in the North Korean border town Kaesong.

Events

Canberra: Is Australia a fragile state? Jenny Stewart and Rita Parker will present on resilience thinking, adaptation and national vulnerability, hosted by the Kokoda Foundation, at Russell Offices, Department of Defence on Wednesday 21 August at R1 at 5pm.

ANU’s Dr Emma Campbell recently returned from a six-day visit to North Korea, and she’ll be presenting images and experiences of the hermit kingdom at the Hedley Bull Centre, ANU on Tuesday 3 September at 6pm. Complimentary drinks served from 5pm. Registration essential, details here.

Sydney: Who’s afraid of Xi Jinping? Hosted by the AIIA NSW, The Lowy Institute’s Linda Jakobson will be talking about Chinese foreign policy under the new President’s leadership at Glover Cottages on Tuesday 20 August at 6pm.