Nuclear dangers are growing, yet so is a new 'realistic idealist' campaign for nuclear disarmament. In this Lowy Institute Policy Brief, International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf suggests ways Australia might contribute to nuclear security in Asia and globally, in addition to the new international Commission that Canberra is co-sponsoring with Tokyo. These include rebuilding...

In a new Lowy institute Policy Brief, West Asia Program Director Anthony Bubalo argues that the evolution of Australian policy in West Asia (the Middle East and Southwest Asia) has lagged behind the maturation of Australian interests in this part of the world. 'So what? Matching policy to Australian interests in West Asia' discusses new...

China runs an opaque aid program in the Pacific that has fuelled suspicions about its motives in the region and that undermines efforts to improve accountability, governance and stability. Despite concerns about China's aid program, China and Australia share broadly similar interests in the region and Australia and other donors would gain from working with...

While the Australian Defence Force has had elements deployed in the Arabian Gulf nearly continuously since 1991 and the magnitude and scope of Australia's economic interests in the Gulf are increasing every year, Australia lacks a coherent foreign and security policy for the region. Australian policy-makers should view the Arabian Gulf as an area of...

In this Lowy Institute Perspective, Visiting Fellow Hugh White examines why Australia needs a new defence white paper, outlines the proper aims of such a project and identifies the pitfalls that need to be avoided. He draws upon his experience in managing the development and drafting of Australia's 2000 defence white paper, arguing against any...