Australia’s strategic anxiety and emphasis on security in the Pacific Islands region have increasingly dominated bilateral affairs in the past decade. This paper argues the result has been a reconfiguration of valued development cooperation, risking a neglect of historical and contemporary reciprocal relations, which in turn can undermine diplomatic trust-building.

This report analyses how Australia can translate its strategic focus on the north into operational capability and sustained defence outcomes. It argues for treating the north as an integrated operating system capable of generating, sustaining and scaling combat power. The report highlights key constraints and the need for stronger alignment across defence, government and industry.

A curated selection of analysis exploring the growing strategic importance of critical minerals, supply chains and industrial capability. A central theme is the role of northern Australia, particularly Darwin, as a strategic platform where energy, infrastructure, logistics and defence posture converge. It examines how Australia and its partners can move from systemic exposure to enduring...

The strategy focuses on strengthening Australia’s capacity to protect and defend Australia and its national interests within an increasingly contested and uncertain environment. It builds on the foundations of the inaugural 2024 strategy by increasing efforts to develop greater self-reliance, prioritising capability acquisition, improving national civil preparedness and resilience, and increasing coordination with regional partners.

A compendium of analytical perspectives examining why the preservation of the status quo in the Taiwan Strait is so critical to Indo-Pacific peace and prosperity. The essays explore Taiwan’s economic centrality, its democratic identity and the strategic dynamics that shape its future. They also provide a framework for thinking about deterrence, resilience and preparedness.