What will China do in Afghanistan?

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has made comforting noises about China’s respect for the Taliban, but he’s also sent clear signals about what Beijing wants from Afghanistan’s new rulers and what Beijing worries about. And …

The book on ASPI’s first 20 years

ASPI today publishes a book on its first 20 years: An informed and independent voice: ASPI, 2001–2021. A senior diplomat from one of Australia’s close ‘Old Commonwealth’ partners tells a story about hosting a Canberra …

Australia needs a national space strategy

In a development that could significantly increase Australia’s ability to carry out military operations in space, the government has launched a search for options for ground-based electronic warfare capabilities. Defence Minister Peter Dutton says the …

Australia’s strategic posture after Afghanistan

Canberra, we have a problem. The collapse of the Afghan government and security forces; the victory of the Taliban; the abandonment of Afghans, particularly women; the unruly scramble to evacuate; and the apparently limited consultation …

The dangerous Balkan standstill

With two decades of war in Afghanistan coming to the grimmest of possible ends, it is worth remembering that three decades have now passed since war came to the Balkans. Both are case studies in …