This paper examines the information sharing vision of the new National Security CIO in light of reforms made towards a more joined-up national security community. It argues that information sharing should be a high priority for improving decision making in Australia’s national security community. The Policy Analysis recommends: Making information discoverable and accessible to authorised...

Defence procurement decisions must balance cost, risk and capability. One way to minimise risk is to acquire equipment that is ‘off-the-shelf’ -- that is, equipment that is already proven and, in many cases, already entering service with other nations. That can give us assuredness of price and schedule in delivery, and has the benefit of...

This Policy Analysis examines a coalition counter-insurgency strategy in a state of flux following a sobering campaign assessment by the Commander of the International Security Assistance Force, General Stanley McChrystal, and the deeply flawed August 20 Afghan presidential election. Mr Khosa also discusses the implications of the resulting policy debate in Washington for Australia’s military...

The Australian Government on 21 August 2009 officially listed the al-Shabaab group as a terrorist organisation. This paper examines the danger posed by the Somali-based group, and concludes that we are likely to see an increase in Westernised Muslims appearing on the battlefield in Somalia. Eventually we will see some of these men come home...

The 2009 Defence White Paper announced that new combat helicopters for the Navy would be acquired 'as a matter of urgency'. ASPI has long argued that naval aviation is a capability shortfall and welcomes the recognition of the importance of embarked helicopters. However, decisions made earlier in the development of the ADF’s helicopter fleet and...