Two of Australia’s most influential political figures of recent decades have delivered frank views on subjects including the likely state of the world after the Covid-19 pandemic, the possibility of a ‘hot war’ with China, …
The famous Lebanese American writer, poet and visual artist Khalil Gibran (1883–1931) once reflectively wrote about his country of birth: ‘You have your Lebanon and its dilemma. I have my Lebanon and its beauty.’ While …
As the world struggles to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic, which first emerged in China, Chinese President Xi Jinping is pursuing his quest for regional dominance more aggressively than ever. From the Himalayas to Hong …
In March 2020, the International Criminal Court authorised the independent Office of the Prosecutor to investigate allegations that war crimes were committed by some of those fighting in Afghanistan since May 2003. The ICC was …
China appears to be accelerating its campaign to control the South China Sea and the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. Beijing does itself no favours with the highly ambiguous nature of its claims …
Sea state The UK plans to send HMS Queen Elizabeth, one of its two new aircraft carriers, to East Asia next year. The ship could even be permanently based in the Pacific, though it’s not …
The defence outlook of major countries is fast changing amid the Covid-19 crisis and China’s increasingly coercive military posturing in the Indo-Pacific. Japan’s changing perspective on a first-strike capability, Australia’s 2020 defence strategic update, and …
When realists think about climate change at all, it’s often as the precursor for yet another demand for increased military spending. The spectre of millions of climate change refugees voting with their feet and trampling …
The confluence of forces built around shared unease and growing anxiety over the implications of China’s rapid military expansion, salami-slicing territorial creep and ‘wolf warrior’ diplomacy is fertile ground for the revival of the quadrilateral …
Politicians who don’t know what to do when confronted with new or difficult circumstances often resort to empty phrases. This certainly appears to be the case for Europe and its changing relations with the United …
US President Donald Trump’s foreign policy has made the US and its allies more prone to blowback and further violence in the Middle East. The president has repeatedly justified his decision to kill Qassem Soleimani …
Hopes and fears about the South Pacific drive Australia’s policy ‘step-up’—along with the great needs of Papua New Guinea and the islands. The hopes and needs get talked up while the fears quietly shape policy. …
Chinese video-sharing app TikTok is facing an existential crisis. By its own estimation, its parent company, Beijing-based ByteDance, is set to lose US$6 billion after being kicked out of India. A decision on a ban …
When discussing their nation’s defence relationship with France, many Australians express perplexed curiosity. The prevailing view appears to focus on points of difference rather than confluence. In reality, the Australia–France defence partnership has been growing …
In this episode, ASPI’s John Coyne and Tom Uren discuss the legal dilemmas posed by Australia conducting offensive cyber operations. Next, senior analyst Huong Le Thu speaks about Singapore’s election with the National University of …
The United Kingdom’s decision to ban Huawei from its 5G networks has dealt a painful blow to China. Until recently, Beijing was still counting on the UK government to stick to its earlier decision to …
The government’s continuous shipbuilding program has provided a fillip for defence industry in South Australia and Western Australia, but benefits are also set to flow to other parts of the country. Importantly, Australia’s north, particularly …
Coronavirus is an invisible enemy, a threat that changes how we live and work, how our children go to school and how we expect our governments to respond to crises. It is wreaking havoc across …
The beat AFP investigated over use of facial recognition software The ABC has obtained emails indicating that members of the Australian Federal Police tested facial recognition software from American company Clearview AI. It’s unclear whether …
In this special episode, ASPI’s executive director, Peter Jennings, talks with Walkley award winning journalist and ASPI senior fellow Stan Grant, who will be hosting ASPI’s conference series, ‘Strategic Vision 2020’, starting on 22 July. …