A number of recent policy documents signal the Australian Government’s intent to deepen defence engagement in the Asia–Pacific, and future defence policy statements are likely to reinforce that objective. The Australia in the Asian century White Paper clearly established Asia as our primary economic and strategic focus. Australia’s first National Security Strategy gave as the...

The newly-released National Security Strategy provides good coverage of broad security issues, but could have given a more expansive worldview. Previous Defence White Papers have shown our approach to national security interests has been narrow and reactive rather than broad and proactive. This four-page report suggests there are ways to avoid the trap that strategic...

This paper explores the effects of a successful third North Korean nuclear test on the Northeast Asian security dynamic. A successful test, of around fifteen kilotons, could bring to the fore a slew of serious strategic issues in Northeast Asia, creating problems for North Korea's neighbours and further afield. The paper considers the implications for...