Abbott must back wide-ranging reform of defence

March 11, 2014

When Tony Abbott and his colleagues on the National Security Committee of cabinet sit down to have their first serious look at defence this week they will find a dispirited and disjointed department in need of direction and renewal. Read more

Pivot to Asia has not fallen off its axis

October 15, 2013

Barack Obama’s absence from East Asia’s two seminal economic and political meetings last week has triggered another bout of declinist commentary and regional hand wringing about the loss of US power and credibility which, if accurate, has serious implications for Australia’s alliance with the US. Read more

Interview with Professor Alan Dupont

March 29, 2013

Professor Alan Dupont is interviewed by Military Associate James Brown, following the launch of his paper – Inflection point: the Australian Defence Force after Afghanistan – at the Lowy Institute. Read more

Hizballah vs. ISIS. vs. Israel

December 2, 2012

Two incidents this week showcase the complexity of the challenges facing Israel on its northern front.

In the first, an air strike killed four members of the Islamic State-affiliated Khalid Ibn al-Walid Brigade after a patrol of the Golani reconnaissance unit in the southern Golan Heights was targeted by the organization. Israeli aircraft then targeted a facility used by the group in the Wadi Sirhan area. Read more