It’s not clear how any national service scheme works if it isn’t compulsory, and compulsion is politically poisonous.

How the world works has changed, and so must we.

How one discipline can learn much from another.

India might not perfectly align with its partners in the minilateral group but its Indo-Pacific heft is much greater than that of the Philippines.

The budget papers offer a chance to assess the government’s claims against fiscal reality.

Better to understand now why Australia might be targeted rather than in the aftermath of a fatal incident.

With China flexing its muscle in the South China Sea, a revised grouping that includes the Philippines strikes a new balance.

An Australian military response to Beijing’s provocation is unthinkable – but there are other ways to tame its ambition.

Using its P-8A Poseidon aircraft, there is scope for Australia's air force to do more maritime defence diplomacy.

Drills will for the first time take place outside of the Philippines’ 12 nautical miles “territorial waters”, thus directly challenging China’s expansive claims across the South China Sea.

Making the case for rules can dispel a common misunderstanding that promoting freedom on the seas is about power.

The National Defence Strategy is not as new as the government claims, but comes with welcome capability investments.

A big part of the challenge is asking the hard questions – and a new book does just that.

Numbers alone don’t tell the story.

Xi Jinping didn't reach the top of Chinese politics by gambling.

In US foreign policy, the Congress can pack a punch against the president, and that reverberates all the way to Australia.

Russia's definition of public security has become conflated with regime security.

Ruling the waves means first understanding what lies beneath. Enter the geopolitics of hydrography.

Those subject to China's actions have responded cautiously. They now need to consider a change in tactics.

Debate about Australia's new nuclear-powered submarines betrays confusion and vagueness about what deterrence is.

Türkiye’s approval of Sweden’s entry into the treaty alliance has led to improved US–Turkish relations.

It is entirely possible that the US may soon install a very different policy elite with very different ideas about domestic and foreign policy.

Agreements can foster trust – but won’t necessarily prevent wars.

The ambition of the RAN’s plans will leave many sceptical. The government must take charge.

Japan and Australia have similar security strategies, so why not the same ships?

The rhythms of the electoral cycle are too often overlooked in the conduct of conflict.

The US is at the top of the list for both the quantity and quality of its military exercises. Here's why.

He rebels against the language of a “rules-based order” but he is happy to talk business.

A new review may cast a revealing light on how the government uses third-party institutions to shape the country’s strategic thinking.

We are witnessing a wholesale transformation of warfare. Australia must learn the lessons for which the Ukrainians have paid such a high price.

There are significant risks for Australia around both the Virginia-class submarine and the proposed AUKUS SSN. A change of plan is needed to the so-called 'optimal pathway'.

Calm down, Congressman.

The war in Ukraine appears to be a revolution in naval warfare. Australia’s upcoming Surface Fleet Review must reflect on the consequences.

The old way isn’t good enough anymore.

The technical merits of nuclear power as part of a mix of energy sources should be the foundation for debate here – as it is elsewhere globally.

This is the better question to ask when assessing the prospects of a war over the Strait in the coming decade.

The might of the US military no longer guarantees world order. There are new actors and new ecosystems in play.

Cooperation, especially on security and the economy, is key to countering pressure from outside the bloc.

Australia should support Vietnam, the Philippines and Brunei in developing their maritime governance capacity to enhance their resilience against threats.

Expanding the rollout of a Quad maritime domain awareness initiative would be a boost to security – for the region, and Australia.

The strategic logic might be compelling, but that alone won’t get the number of nuclear-powered subs built in time.

The narrow framing of Australian national security discourse has closed off the range of policy options available.

Manila should adopt a three-pronged response to Beijing's assertiveness.

A robust system for the surveillance of outer space, including through the use of space-based radar, is vital to national security.

A technical perspective into the intended operation of the bilateral security deal between the close neighbours.

In the Russian leader’s world, friends are returning and with it the whiff of success.

A relief operation exercise would allow the Quad partners to draw in other countries and showcase a regional good. 

From George Smiley to Jackson Lamb, the best spy fiction relies not on heroes but masters of the plot.

Whisperings of Chinese military facilities in the Gulf combine with Gaza War to further complicate US efforts at strategic re-prioritisation.

A regional deal to close a loophole relating to the use of sonar in international law could be a good place to start.