Asia Pacific Security
Brisbane speech underlines Obama's increasingly tough tone on China
Yesterday in Brisbane US President Barack Obama reaffirmed the Asian Pivot/Rebalance (transcript) which he presented in Canberra three years ago. But in doing so he presented a…
Obama on Asia: Holding the Brisbane line
America's commitment to security, dignity and prosperity in Asia, facing up to global challenges, and some strong words on climate change – President Obama's just-concluded speech…
Russia is back in the Pacific
The Russian Navy is getting closer to Australia than we're used to, and beyond the bluster of 'shirtfronting' we don't seem to have a coherent policy response to a more active…
Commentary
South China Sea action at the East Asia Summit?
South China Sea action at the East Asia Summit?Rory MedcalfAsia Maritime Transparency Initiative11 November 2014Rory Medcalf
Defence challenges 2035: Securing Australia's lifelines
By Rory Medcalf, Director of the Lowy Institute's International Security Program and James Brown, Military Fellow
Debates on Australia's defence policy have long oscillated…
Putin flexes muscle ahead of G20
What to do if you are the leader of a former superpower about to travel to a small-ish country whose leader has promised to shirtfront you? The answer seems to be to flex a little…
US and allies outgunned in South China Sea
Three books published this year contemplate Asia's most vexing problem. Taken together, they provide a thorough understanding of the contest in the South China Sea. Still, they…
China's overseas basing strategy
'Will China's growing global economic interests lead it to expand its overseas military presence and capabilities?' This is a question that has been asked by policymakers,…
Commentary
Indonesia under Jokowi: A foreign policy driven by a “Global Maritime Nexus”
Indonesia under Jokowi: A foreign policy driven by a “Global Maritime Nexus”Adelle NearyCogitASIA23 October 2014Adelle Neary
Political stability first, strategic stability second
The central purpose of deploying strategic nuclear weapons on SSBNs, rather than on other less expensive and technologically demanding platforms, is to assure the survival of…