Wednesday Lunch at Lowy - Three views from Paris
At the Wednesday Lunch at Lowy on 17 March, the Lowy Institute was pleased to present a panel of three of France’s leading security thinkers, Camille Grand, François Heisbourg and Bruno Tertrais, each offering an individual view on the major strategic challenges facing France today.
Camille Grand is director of the Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique (FRS), François Heisbourg is Chairman of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), and Bruno Tertrais is senior research fellow at FRS. The discussion was moderated by the Lowy Institute’s Program Director for International Security, Rory Medcalf.
The Lowy Institute acknowledges the support of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in bringing the three visitors to Australia.
The panellists' presentations can be heard here:
French strategic perspectives - MP3 (21MB)
More
|
| South West Asia and China - can nuclear competi |
Wednesday Lowy Lunch - Panellists' presentations At Lunch at Lowy on 16 February an exceptional panel of visiting international experts and policy practitioners from India, Pakistan, China and the USA discussed the risks of nuclear competition between the nuclear armed states in South West Asia and China. ...
More |
|
|
| Hugh White opinion piece |
PM should talk to Paul Keating about Indonesia In an opinion piece in The Australian, Lowy Institute Visiting Fellow Hugh White argues that a stronger Jakarta can either help us or threaten us.
The Australian, 8 March 2010, p. 14
More |
|
 |
|
|
|
Reflections on the water’s rim: A third generation amphibious culture?
In this recent RSIS Commentaries publication, Chief of Army Visiting Fellow Lieutenant Colonel Nicholas Floyd reveals how Australia’s Defence Force is embarking on something of a ‘third generation’ of amphibious culture in its military strategic thought, embracing both capabilities of the new ADF amphibious force, and the future security environment in which they will operate.
RSIS Commentary, 5 March 2010, 3 pp
Download item (130KB)
|
Resilience the key to fighting terrorism
In an opinion piece in The Sydney Morning Herald, Sam Roggeveen, editor of the Lowy Institute blog, The Interpreter, argues that the government hasn't really embraced 'resilience' in its new counter-terrorism strategy.
Sydney Morning Herald, 24 February 2010, p. 11
Download item (61KB)
|
Awarding of the 2009 Michael and Deborah Thawley scholarship
The Lowy Institute is pleased to announce the awarding of the 2009 Michael and Deborah Thawley Scholarship in international security. Kate Boswood will join the Institute's International Security Program as an intern early next year. The scholarship will also cover her research at a leading US think tank, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, in Washington in the first half of 2010. Ms Boswood is a junior official in the Australian Department of Defence. The scholarship is aimed at developing promising young policy thinkers with an awareness of Australia’s global interests and role. Ms Boswood’s research project during the internships with Lowy and CSIS will focus on the need for Australia to do more to minimise the security threats emerging within Pakistan.
More
|
Toward a nuclear weapons free world: a Chinese perspective
In this publication, leading Chinese security scholar Shen Dingli offers a point of view on Beijing’s constraints and objectives as it decides how to engage with the new global push for nuclear disarmament, including such initiatives as President Obama’s nuclear-weapon-free-world campaign and the Australian-Japanese International Commission for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament, due to report at the end of 2009.
The Lowy Institute has issued this perspective to expand the range of views published under its partnership with the Nuclear Security Project (www.nuclearsecurityproject.org).
Download item (372KB)
|
The vital place of nuclear weapons in 21st century US national security strategy
Kevin Rudd launched the report of the International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament in Tokyo on 15 December. In this publication Franklin C. Miller, a former senior US government official with extensive involvement in nuclear policy making over five Administrations, makes the case for the United States maintaining a strong, safe and credible nuclear deterrent in the 21st century.
The Lowy Institute is pleased to issue this Perspective as one of a series of views on nuclear policy.
Download item (287KB)
|
Eliminating nuclear threats
 Following the launch by Prime Ministers Rudd and Hatoyama of the report of the International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament (ICNND) 'Eliminating Nuclear Threats: A Practical Agenda for Global Policymakers', the Lowy Institute convened an expert panel to assess the report and its impact on global disarmament and non-proliferation.
The moderator was Dr Michael Wesley and the panellists were Martine Letts, Rory Medcalf, and Dr Rod Lyon.
The members of the expert panel can be heard here:
Eliminating nuclear threats - MP3 (22MB)
A video of the presentation can be watched by clicking the photo above.
More
|
U.S. disarmament is dangerous for Asia
In an opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal, Franklin Miller and Andrew Shearer argue that the US nuclear deterrent remains the cornerstone of stability in Asia and caution regional governments against embracing some of the key recommendations of the International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament.
Wall Street Journal, 17 December 2009
Download item (67KB)
|
Problems to partnership: a plan for Australia-India strategic ties
In this Lowy Institute Policy Brief, Rory Medcalf, Program Director International Security, argues that Australia and India must not squander the chance to build a strategic partnership. Recent bilateral difficulties, such as over student welfare, have at least focused high-level attention on the relationship. A security declaration would be a positive step, but would need to be more than rhetoric, and include practical ideas for defence, intelligence and diplomatic cooperation to meet common challenges. Meanwhile the uranium export question has not gone away.
Download item (430KB)
|
Of men v machines: who knows what lurks in the hearts of man?
Technological advancement has always tested societal paradigms - even in warfare. Even so, the pace and pervasiveness of technological innovation in the 21st century seem to challenge the very basis of human interaction in conflict. In this article in the Australian Defence Force Journal, Nick Floyd, Chief of Army Visiting Fellow at the Lowy Institute enters the human dimension of modern warfare through the portal of its past, and considers the prospects for a future, non-human manifestation of conflict.
Australian Defence Force Journal, Issue 180, 2009 pp 78-83
More
|
Confronting the hydra: big problems with small wars
Australia’s current role in Afghanistan is the latest experience in a long history of involvement in counterinsurgency conflicts or ‘small wars’. Such commitments may begin as wars of choice, but history suggests they can turn into wars of necessity, and their costs and political impact can be large. In this Lowy Institute Paper, Mark O’Neill charts the enduring nature of Australia’s problems with such wars. He concludes that, as a democratic middle power that chooses to wage counterinsurgency conflicts, Australia needs improved strategic policy approaches and capabilities to overcome a complex and many-headed threat.
To order a hard copy of this publication click here.
Download item (652KB)
|
The stellar status symbol
In the latest issue of China Security, Research Associate Fiona Cunningham argues that Chinese behaviour needs to be viewed in light of its ambition to become a great power. ‘The Stellar Status Symbol: True Motives for China’s Manned Space Program’ examines China’s first manned space mission in 2003 as a leap forward in China’s journey toward great power status, copying the activities of the United States and Soviet Union during the Cold War in order to improve its current international standing. The paper suggests that certain state capabilities are great power ‘status symbols’ and similar status motivations may be behind big-ticket military capabilities that are usually read as signs of Chinese threatening intent.
The article is at: http://www.chinasecurity.us/pdfs/FionaCunningham.pdf
Download item (343KB)
|
Wednesday Lunch at Lowy - Brigadier Phil Winter presentation
In Afghanistan, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) are now the number one killer of coalition forces, and the 2009 campaigning season is seeing a record number of IED attacks. At this week's Wednesday Lowy Lunch, the Commander of Australia’s Counter-IED Task Force, Brigadier Phil Winter, described how Australia and its partners in Afghanistan are dealing with the lethal harvest of what Afghans are now calling the 'evil flowers'. Brigadier Winter's PM interview on the topic is at: http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2009/s2740062.htm.
His PowerPoint presentation can be downloaded here:
Stemming the 'evil flowers' - PPT (45MB)
His presentation can be heard here:
Stemming the 'evil flowers' - MP3 (19MB)
More
|
Tightening an obvious tie
In this opinion piece in the Indian Express newspaper, International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf argues why India would benefit from recognising the value of prioritising a strategic partnership with Australia, in the week that Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd visits India.
Indian Express, 11 November 2009
Download item (59KB)
|
Lowy Institute Panel: Can Obama's disarmament agenda work?
 On 29 September, the Lowy Institute convened an expert panel to examine the implications of President Obama's push to reduce nuclear dangers, as well as to debate broader questions about nuclear disarmament.
Moderated by Executive Director Dr Michael Wesley, the panel also included Deputy Director Martine Letts, Intl. Security Program Director Rory Medcalf, and the Griffith Asia Institute Director-designate Dr Andrew O'Neil.
The event also marked the launch of the Nuclear Policy Centre web page which consolidates the Institute's expanding range of publications and activities on nuclear issues.
This panel discussion was supported by the Institute's partnership with the Nuclear Security Project (www.nuclearsecurityproject.org).
More
|
Wicked weapons: North Asia's nuclear tangle
The United States faces major challenges in engaging China, Japan and the Korean Peninsula in its quest for nuclear disarmament. In this new Lowy Institute Analysis, International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf explores the ‘wicked’ nature of the region’s nuclear insecurity: how fixing one part of the problem risks aggravating others. He recommends ways forward, involving mutual and coordinated concessions among the United States, Japan and China, and taking account of the region’s strategic realities.
This publication is supported by the Lowy Institute’s partnership with the Nuclear Security Project of the Nuclear Threat Initiative: www.nuclearsecurityproject.org. This project builds on the 2007 Wall Street Journal article 'A World Free of Nuclear Weapons' by George Shultz, William Perry, Henry Kissinger and Sam Nunn.
Download item (536KB)
|
Twenty-first century ANZACS
In this article in the Asia-Pacific Defence Reporter, Nick Floyd, Chief of Army Visiting Fellow at the Lowy Institute, and Peter Greener, Senior Fellow at the New Zealand Defence Force Command & Staff College, review the recent announcements by the New Zealand and Australian Governments on a prospective trans-Tasman force, and consider how current arrangements, politics and the challenges of the coming century will have an impact on the purpose, employment and shape of such a force.
Asia-Pacific Defence Reporter, Vol. 35(8) October 2009, pp 31-32: http://www.asiapacificdefencereporter.com/oct09/twenty-first-century-anzacs
More
|
Wicked weapons: Rory Medcalf interview
In the lead up to President Obama’s historic UN nuclear summit, International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf was interviewed on ABC Radio current affairs program PM about his Lowy Institute Analysis, 'Wicked Weapons: North Asia’s Nuclear Tangle'.
The interview is available at: http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2009/s2692351.htm
More
|
Unconventional partners: Australia-India cooperation in reducing nuclear dangers
In this Policy Brief, International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf and his Indian co-author Amandeep Gill argue that an innovative partnership between Australia and India would help erode the entrenched blocs that impede progress on nuclear disarmament. Their recommendations include: a leaders’ statement; a specialised bilateral dialogue; and practical cooperation on non-proliferation export controls, with Australia promoting Indian involvement in the so-called Australia Group to raise comfort levels between New Delhi and other such arrangements. This publication was produced under the Lowy Institute’s partnership with the Nuclear Security project (www.nuclearsecurityproject.org).
Download item (555KB)
|
Commander US Pacific Command speaks at Lowy Institute
On 1 September 2009, the commander of US Pacific Command, Admiral Timothy Keating, addressed a high-level dinner gathering at the Lowy Institute. He spoke candidly about the role of PACOM in pursuing security and stability in the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions. He also ranged across some of the key challenges and opportunities in regional security - including relating to China, India, Japan and the Korean Peninsula - and the prospects for the Australia-US alliance. Some of his key messages were explored further in an interview on the Lowy Institute’s blog, The Interpreter.
Admiral Keating’s interview on The Interpreter can be heard here:
http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/post/2009/09/02/Interview-ADM-Timothy-Keating.aspx
More
|
Effective 'future Anzac force' needs careful consideration
Nick Floyd, Lowy Institute Chief of Army Visiting Fellow, and Peter Greener, Senior Fellow at the New Zealand Defence Force Command & Staff College, consider in the Canberra Times the merits of a future ANZAC force to meet shared national security challenges, and how both Governments must consider the bounds of its employability.
Canberra Times, 29 September 2009, p. 11
This article also appeared in the Dominion Post of 24 September 2009.
Download item (68KB)
|
Australia's security challenges: lessons for others?
Chief of Army Visiting Fellow Nicholas Floyd published an article in Issue 94/2009 of RSIS Commentaries, a publication of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Singapore, on how lessons from Australian Defence Force experiences can be adapted and exported to other security stakeholders.
RSIS Commentaries 94/2009, 18 September 2009
Download item (46KB)
|
Wednesday Lunch at Lowy - William Paterson presentation
At the Wednesday Lowy Lunch on 16 September, Australia’s Ambassador for Counter-Terrorism, William Paterson PSM, provided an overview of the terrorist threat in Southeast Asia against the background of terrorism trends worldwide.
His presentation can be heard here:
Terrorism in Southeast Asia - MP3 (19MB)
A transcript is available.
Download item (130KB)
|
A tighter net: strengthening the Proliferation Security Initiative
In a new Lowy Institute Policy Brief, entitled 'A Tighter Net: Strengthening the Proliferation Security Initiative', non-proliferation scholar Emma Belcher urges practical steps for WMD non-proliferation at sea.
Australia and other countries should redouble their efforts to fix serious gaps in an international arrangement to stop maritime shipments of materials destined for weapons of mass destruction programs, according to the Brief. It argues that heightened concerns over North Korea provide an opportunity to bolster the Proliferation Security Initiative, a 95-country arrangement to promote interception of transfers of cargoes related to weapons of mass destruction.
Download item (504KB)
|
Wednesday Lunch at Lowy - Rory Medcalf presentation
At the Wednesday Lunch at Lowy on 24 June, Rory Medcalf, Program Director International Security, drew upon recent consultations in the region to warn that efforts to reduce global nuclear dangers will founder if they do not account for the rising strategic concerns of North Asian powers, especially China and Japan.
Mr Medcalf’s research for this presentation was supported by the Lowy Institute’s partnership with the Nuclear Security Project (www.nuclearsecurityproject.org).
His presentation can be heard here:
Wicked weapons - MP3 (19MB)
Video of this presentation is also available.
More
|
Lowy Institute launches MacArthur Foundation Asian Security Project
The Lowy Institute has launched a major new three-year project to explore the limits of security cooperation in Asia and promote measures to prevent the region's growing strategic rivalries from deepening and escalating into war. The project is supported by a generous grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
For more information please see the following media release.
Download item (170KB)
|
Defence can play broader role in national security
In an opinion piece in the Canberra Times, Chief of Army Visiting Fellow Nick Floyd explains the ideas in his recent Lowy Institute Analysis on Australian national security.
Canberra Times, 19 August 2009, p. 11
Download item (45KB)
|
How Defence can contribute to Australia's national security strategy
As the Federal Government prepares to develop the successor document to its inaugural 2008 National Security Statement, this new Lowy Institute Analysis considers what needs to be done to improve the oft-quoted whole-of-government approach to national security, and where Government can draw inspiration for crafting that approach.
Against the backdrop provided by the National Security Statement, the ADF mission must be recognised as supporting a broader spectrum of operations and activities and an ability to transition rapidly between them.
The paper considers these implications, and how Defence can actively support more effective interactions across the national security effort, drawing on Defence and the ADF’s resident experience in interoperability and deliberate planning.
Download item (547KB)
|
Distinguished Speaker Series - Professor Alan Dupont presentation
Is the Rudd Government’s new Defence White Paper more of the same or a significant departure from the previous strategic orthodoxy? More importantly, is it affordable, and will future governments commit to the level of spending necessary to ensure that the White Paper’s ambitious goals for the Australian Defence Force are realised? What about the strategic judgements underpinning the decisions on spending and force structure? Is concern about China’s burgeoning military power real, or merely Defence ‘spin’ designed to justify expensive acquisitions?
These questions were addressed by Professor Alan Dupont in his analysis of what the Rudd Government claims is the most comprehensive and far-reaching reform of defence planning ever attempted in Australia.
The presentation can be heard here:
2009 Defence White Paper - MP3 (22MB)
More
|
The role of the civil nuclear industry in preventing proliferation
Lowy Institute Deputy Director Martine Letts and Research Associate Fiona Cunningham prepared a paper for the Second Meeting of the International Commission on Nuclear Nonproliferation and Disarmament in Washington, DC, 13-15 February 2009, entitled 'The role of the civil nuclear industry in preventing proliferation and in managing the second nuclear age'.
Download item (282KB)
|
Hard to fight the nukes of hazard
In an opinion piece in The Sydney Morning Herald, Sam Roggeveen, editor of the Lowy Institute's blog, The Interpreter, argues that nuclear weapons give North Korea exactly what it wants - security for the regime and the country. Nothing the US can offer will do that job better than nuclear weapons.
Sydney Morning Herald, 27 May 2009, p. 11
Download item (65KB)
|
India's security challenges: Pakistan, Afghanistan and the neighbourhood
In the 2009 Australia-India Strategic Lecture, delivered at the Lowy Institute on 11 May, Ambassador Chinmaya Gharekhan examined India’s dangerous neighbourhood, and in particular the deep security challenges posed by the situations in Pakistan and Afghanistan. He presented a sobering picture of the prospects for these countries, and the implications for India and other countries threatened by jihadist terrorism.
Ambassador Gharekhan's lecture can be downloaded here:
India's security challenges - PDF (167KB)
His speech can be heard here:
India's security challenges - MP3 (20MB)
Video of this presentation is also available.
More
|
Indian election win good for Australia: Rory Medcalf interview
International security program director Rory Medcalf's assessment of the importance of the Indian election result was drawn upon extensively in the Australian Financial Review. Mr Medcalf, who served as a diplomat in New Delhi and coordinates the Australia-India Roundtable, argued that the convincing win by Congress is the best chance yet to strengthen Australia-India strategic ties in addressing common challenges such as Pakistan, Afghanistan and the implications of the rise of China.
More
|
Challenges afloat in white paper
In an article in a Special Report on Defence in the Weekend Australian, Lowy Institute Visiting Fellow Hugh White examines the plans for investment in expansion in Australia's surface navy.
The Weekend Australian, 23-24 May 2008, p. Special Report - Defence, p. 5
Download item (50KB)
|
Wednesday Lunch at Lowy - Michael Smith AO presentation
In the Wednesday Lunch at Lowy on 13 May, Michael G. Smith AO, Executive Director of the Asia Pacific Civil-Military Centre of Excellence, joined us to discuss the way ahead for the Centre, which was set up in 2008 by the Rudd Government to develop 'national civil-military capabilities to prevent, prepare for and respond more effectively to conflicts and disasters overseas'. The presentation covered the key people and organisations the Centre deals with and particularly how the Centre will seek to work with international partners and relevant non-government organisations, and some of the challenges faced in these interactions.
His PowerPoint presentation can be downloaded here:
Smart Power - PPT (3MB)
His presentation can be heard here:
Smart Power - MP3 (20MB)
More
|
A focused force: Australia's defence priorities in the Asian Century
In this new Lowy Institute Paper, Visiting Fellow Hugh White calls for Australia to abandon the 'Balanced Force' concept and refocus its military on managing strategic risks related to the rise of China. Professor White argues that Chinese power will challenge US primacy, undercutting the basic assumptions of Australian defence policy. He poses questions about the risks Australia faces over coming decades, how armed force can help manage those risks, whether current forces are up to the job, and whether the country can afford forces that are. This paper, with its controversial force-structure recommendations, is a major contribution to the Australian security debate on the eve of the 2009 Defence White Paper.
Executive Summary
To order a hard copy of this publication click here.
Download item (598KB)
|
Australia bulks up
In an opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal Asia, Lowy Institute Senior Research Fellow Andrew Shearer comments on the Rudd government's recent Defence White Paper and the Obama administration's cuts to the US defence budget. While welcoming plans for a bigger and more capable ADF he expresses concern about whether they will be adequately funded. He argues that the US government should reconsider its cuts to missile defence programs and to the F-22 Stealth Fighter, to avoid increasing the strategic anxiety of American allies in Asia.
Download item (17KB)
|
Our China question: friend or foe?
In this opinion piece in the Sydney Morning Herald, International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf considers how Australia's imminent Defence White Paper might be received in Beijing. He notes that Australia is broadly right to strengthen its defences for an uncertain future, but suggests some steps for Canberra to take in dealing with potential diplomatic fallout in China. A version of this article also appeared in the Melbourne Age.
The Sydney Morning Herald, 29 April 2009, p. 15
Download item (100KB)
|
Wednesday Lunch at Lowy: Peter Singer presentation
The world has begun to see a massive shift in military technology that could make the stuff of science fiction real, with profound effects on the battlefield and in the politics of war. Some 44 countries including Australia are at work on military robotics. Pilots sitting just outside Las Vegas are remotely killing militants in Afghanistan. Scientists are debating just how smart and how lethal to make their prototypes. Science fiction authors are consulting for the Pentagon on the next generation. On 6 May, Peter Singer, Director of the 21st Century Initiative at the Brookings Institution, joined the Lowy Institute by videolink from Washington to present the fascinating findings of his new book Wired for War: The Robotics Revolution and Conflict in the 21st Century.
A summary of Dr Singer’s presentation can be heard at:
http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/post/2009/05/The-10-minute-Lowy-Lunch-Robots-at-war.aspx
For more on Dr Singer's research: www.pwsinger.com
More
|
The long rise of China in Australian defence strategy
Media reports and Hugh White's recent Lowy Institute Paper have ignited debate about the extent to which China's rapid military modernisation should shape the government's long-awaited Defence White Paper.
In this Perspective, former Secretary of Defence Ric Smith charts the place of China in Australian defence strategy over 50 years and highlights that a preoccupation with China's military capabilities and intentions is far from new for Australia's defence planners.
Download item (273KB)
|
Muddled report leaves gaps in our defence
In an opinion piece in The Australian, Lowy Institute Visiting Fellow Hugh White argues that the Defence White Paper raises important questions but is short on strategy.
The Australian, 4 May 2009, p. 8
Download item (21KB)
|
Wednesday Lunch at Lowy - Hugh White presentation
At the Wednesday Lunch at Lowy on 15 April, Visiting Fellow Hugh White spoke at the launch of his new Lowy Institute Paper, 'A Focused Force: Australia's defence priorities in the Asian century', in which he argues for Australia to abandon the 'Balanced Force' concept and refocus its defence efforts on managing our most important future strategic risks.
His presentation can be heard here:
A Focused Force - MP3 (22MB)
More
|
Winds of change demand hard debate
In this opinion piece in the Australian Financial Review on 28 April 2009, Lowy Institute visiting fellow Hugh White discusses China's economic rise and its implications for Australian defence policy.
Australian Financial Review, 28 April 2009, p. 63
Download item (18KB)
|
Historic images shaping views on Defence spending
Hugh White discusses Australia's defence policy in the context of a new ANU poll on defence issues in this article in the Canberra Times.
The Canberra Times, 29 April 2009, p. 11
Download item (99KB)
|
Bracing for the Asian century
In an opinion piece in The Australian, Lowy Institute Visiting Fellow Hugh White argues that Australia's defence needs must be assessed in the light of the shifting global balance of power and particularly China's ascendancy.
This is a summary of a forthcoming Lowy Institute Paper, A Focused Force: Australia's Defence Priorities in the Asian Century, by Hugh White, to be published on Wednesday.
The Australian, 11 April 2009, p. 21
Download item (86KB)
|
Nuclear disarmament: the need for a new theory
In this Lowy Institute Perspective, Professor Sir Lawrence Freedman examines what a realistic assessment of the developing state of the international system might mean for current efforts to reduce nuclear dangers and pursue the abolition of nuclear weapons. This publication is based on a lecture Professor Freedman presented at the Lowy Institute in February 2009, under the Lowy Institute's partnership with the Nuclear Security Project of the Nuclear Threat Initiative (www.nuclearsecurityproject.org).
Download item (343KB)
|
Australian's role in Afghanistan: Rory Medcalf interview
In this interview on the ABC Radio National program Australia Talks, International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf discusses Australia's role in Afghanistan, including questions of declining public support, possible troop increases and the need for greater attention to regional diplomacy and training of Afghan forces.
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/australiatalks/stories/2009/2531342.htm
More
|
Australia's strategic analysis capabilities
In this article in the journal Security Challenges, International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf examines Australia's strategic analysis capabilities, both within and beyond the formal intelligence community. He presents a case for open-source strategic assessments to be presented in the public domain, along the lines of the US National Intelligence Council's Global Trends 2025 report.
Download item (107KB)
|
How do you solve a problem like North Korea? Not by force
In an opinion piece in The Age, Sam Roggeveen, editor of The Interpreter, the weblog of the Lowy Institute, argues that sitting down to talk to Pyongyang would be more effective than a show of muscle.
The Age, 27 March 2009, p. 13
Download item (68KB)
|
Distinguished Speaker Series - Sir Lawrence Freedman presentation
The global threat from nuclear weapons is growing, yet so too is a new international push for nuclear disarmament. On Wednesday 25 February 2009 at a lecture in the Lowy Institute's Distinguished Speakers Series, Professor Sir Lawrence Freedman examined what realistic assessments of the developing state of the international system might mean for current efforts to reduce nuclear dangers.
This event was held under the Lowy Institute's partnership with the Nuclear Security Project of the Nuclear Threat Initiative (www.nuclearsecurityproject.org). This project builds on the 2007 Wall Street Journal article 'A World Free of Nuclear Weapons' by George Shultz, William Perry, Henry Kissinger and Sam Nunn.
The presentation, 'Nuclear disarmament: the need for a new theory' can be heard here:
Nuclear disarmament - MP3 (23MB
More
|
International security in 2008: The year in review
In this lecture to the NSW Royal United Services Institute, International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf identifies some major events and trends of 2008 - from the Russia-Georgia war to Somali piracy and the global financial crisis – in the light of their long-term implications for global and Australian security interests.
United Service 60(1) March 2009 pp 21-26:
http://www.rusinsw.org.au/Papers/20081125.pdf
Download item (315KB)
|
Wednesday Lunch At Lowy - Dr Peter Edwards presentation
At the Wednesday Lunch at Lowy on 4 March 2009, historian Peter Edwards placed the current debate in the context of the long history of debates between those who see global alliances as central to Australia's national security and those who emphasise the importance of self-reliance and regional links. By examining the cyclical pattern of strategic debates over more than a century, he suggested a likely framework for the White Paper and the way it will be assessed.
His presentation, 'Australian strategy: An historical perspective on the Defence White Paper' can be heard here:
Australian strategy - MP3 (19MB)
More
|
Lowy Institute partnership with Nuclear Threat Initiative
The Lowy Institute for International Policy has joined the US-based Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) as a partner in research and dialogue to reduce nuclear dangers.
With a grant from the Nuclear Threat Initiative, the Lowy Institute will be a partner to NTI's Nuclear Security Project, which builds on the 2007 Wall Street Journal op-ed 'A World Free of Nuclear Weapons' by George Shultz, William Perry, Henry Kissinger and Sam Nunn. The Lowy Institute’s work, to be managed by its International Security Program, will involve consultations on nuclear issues with officials, experts and opinion-makers in Australia and key Asian states, public lectures on the challenge of nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, and the publication of original research proposing fresh policy approaches.
Further details of the Lowy-NTI partnership are available in this press release.
Download item (189KB)
|
Wednesday Lunch at Lowy - Cook, Hayward-Jones and Medcalf presentations
On 4 February, at the first lunch for 2009 in our Wednesday Lunch at Lowy series, three Lowy Institute scholars, Dr Malcolm Cook, Jenny Hayward-Jones and Rory Medcalf, discussed prospects for the Asia Pacific region this year, under the very challenging circumstances of the global financial crisis.
Their presentations can be heard here:
The year ahead for the Asia Pacific - MP3 (21MB)
More
|
Squaring the triangle: an Australian perspective on Asian security minilateralism
In a paper published by the US National Bureau of Asian Research, International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf identifies Australia’s criteria for taking part in 'minilateral' cooperative security talks and arrangements in Asia. He applies these criteria to help explain the durability of the Trilateral Strategic Dialogue with Japan and the United States, as well as the short-lived experiment in a quadrilateral dialogue involving India.
More
|
Obama legacy must rewrite the terms of success
In an opinion piece in The Australian Financial Review, Sam Roggeveen, editor of the Lowy Institute blog, The Interpreter, suggests that if the US President can turn political emphasis away from war he will deserve to be honoured.
Australian Financial Review, 21 January 2009, p. 55
Download item (67KB)
|
A non-provocative defence posture for Australia
In a new Lowy Institute Perspective, Sam Roggeveen makes the case for a non-provocative defence policy for Australia. We can ameliorate the security dilemma for our neighbours and reduce the likelihood of arms racing by giving up some of our offensive military capabilities.
Download item (301KB)
|
Chinese anti-piracy mission
In this opinion piece in the International Herald Tribune, International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf argues that the naval deployment to combat Somali piracy is a momentous step in China's rise as a world power. He argues that the United States, India and others should seize this opportunity to build maritime cooperation with China before Beijing forms any habit of unilateral military activism.
International Herald Tribune, 29 December 2008, p. 8
Download item (17KB)
|
No more naval gazing as China takes to the sea
In this opinion piece in The Age, International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf argues that China's anti-piracy naval deployment off Somalia opens a window of opportunity for Australia and others to test the waters of cooperation with a rising power.
The Age, 5 January 2009, p. 9
Download item (67KB)
|
Mumbai terrorist attacks
In this opinion piece in the Australian Financial Review, International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf assesses some of the repercussions of the Mumbai terrorist attacks. He judges that military confrontation between India and Pakistan is unlikely, and that India might instead focus on its response on fixing its domestic security capabilities. Mumbai underlines the common cause the West and India have in Afghanistan.
Australian Financial Review, 2 December 2008, p. 55
Download item (30KB)
|
Best defence will be non-provocative
In an opinion piece in The Australian Financial Review, Sam Roggeveen, editor of the Lowy Institute's blog The Interpreter, argues for the adoption by Australia of a non-provocative defence posture.
Australian Financial Review, 15 December 2008, p. 55
Download item (67KB)
|
Asian military modernisation
In this Lowy Institute Perspective, Visiting Fellow Ric Smith examines the patterns in Asian military spending in recent years. He demonstrates that the region's military modernisation does not equate with an arms race. This publication was originally a presentation delivered to the International Institute of Strategic Studies' 50th Anniversary Global Strategic Review in Geneva in early September 2008.
Download item (315KB)
|
From losing to winning in Afghanistan
In this opinion piece in The Washington Times, Andrew Shearer and leading US strategic commentator Michael O'Hanlon propose a strategy to reverse the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan.
Washington Times, 3 October 2008
Download item (81KB)
|
Nuclear security: what else can Australia do?
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 Australia's diplomatic capacity in arms control, urging the new US Administration to reduce American reliance on nuclear weapons, and starting a leaders' dialogue in Asia. A separate Lowy Institute Analysis provides background and further detail.
Download item (399KB)
|
Australia: Allied in transition
The Seattle-based National Bureau of Asian Research publishes Strategic Asia, an annual assessment of Asian security issues affecting the United States. The 2008-09 volume in the series, titled Challenges and Choices, is aimed at providing guidance for the next US President on key decisions regarding Asia policy. The book includes a chapter on the Australia-US alliance by International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf.
An executive summary of that chapter is available here.
For more details of the book, please see:
http://www.nbr.org/publications/book.aspx?ID=517
Download item (99KB)
|
Distinguished Speaker Series - Lt Gen Ken Gillespie presentation
As part of its Distinguished Speaker Series, the Lowy Institute hosted an address by the Chief of the Australian Army, Lieutenant General K. J. Gillespie AO DSC CSM.
In the last decade the Australian Defence Force has put a great weight of effort into activities such as stabilisation and reconstruction. In his speech, the Chief of Army provided his insights into how reconstruction activities could be better implemented, and how a whole of nation approach is likely to offer a more comprehensive way of achieving desired national objectives in the rebuilding of disrupted societies.
His presentation can be heard here:
Reconstruction and the whole of government approach - MP3 (20MB)
A transcript of his presentation is available for download.
Download item (157KB)
|
Commission should promote disarmament and safe civil nuclear management
In an opinion piece in The Australian, Lowy Institute Deputy Director Martine Letts argues that the new Non-proliferation and Disarmament Commission should provide a blueprint for the future management of an more complex and dangerous nuclear world.
Download item (67KB)
|
Restraining nuclear arms in the Asian century: an agenda for Australia
In this Lowy Institute Analysis, International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf provides background and detail for his proposals for renewed Australian activism on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament issues, introduced in the Lowy Institute Policy Brief 'Nuclear security: what else can Australia do?'
Download item (434KB)
|
International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament
The Prime Ministers of Australia and Japan formally launched the International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament (ICNND) today. The Commission will seek to reinvigorate, at a high political level, global progress on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. The Lowy Institute will assist the Commission through its Advisory Board and as one of seven Associated Research Centres from around the world.
For further information, please see the Commission's media release here.
Download item (193KB)
|
Asia's arms no cause for alarm
In an opinion piece in The Canberra Times, Sam Roggeveen, editor of the Lowy Institute's blog, The Interpreter, argues that Australia does not need to react to what the Prime Minister wrongly called an 'explosion' in regional defence spending. In fact, a modest cut to our defence budget would help our regional diplomacy.
Canberra Times, 13 September 2008, P. B09
Download item (63KB)
|
Time to reckon with nuclear region
In this opinion piece in The Australian Financial Review, International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf summarises key messages from his recent policy brief about a nuclear disarmament agenda for Australia. He notes that support for the US-India nuclear deal obliges Canberra to step up its global disarmament diplomacy, and that Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has an opportunity to promote dialogue among Asian leaders on nuclear restraint in the region.
Australian Financial Review, 11 September 2008, p. 71
Download item (63KB)
|
Bridging the nuclear divide
In this opinion piece in the Indian Express, International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf argues that India should appreciate that Australia has come a long way in changing its nuclear policy by supporting the US-India deal in the Nuclear Suppliers Group. The next step should be for India and Australia to work together on arms control, non-proliferation and disarmament initiatives.
Indian Express, 10 September 2008, p. 10
Download item (80KB)
|
Terror and Consent: Redrawing the Western Front
In this essay published in the September 2008 Australian Literary Review, International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf examines Phillip Bobbitt's landmark book on the struggle against terrorism, entitled Terror and Consent. Bobbitt makes a sound and novel case for Western states to develop a more coherent set of strategies against such seemingly disparate challenges as terrorism, genocide and natural disasters. But, this review argues, his analysis pays too little attention to the effects of the rise of China and India, and the need to enlist these rising powers as partners against terrorism and other transnational threats.
Australian Literary Review, 3 September 2008, p. 9
Download item (103KB)
|
Wednesday Lunch at Lowy - Jim Molan presentation
What lessons does the Iraq conflict hold for Australia's new Defence White Paper? In the Wednesday Lunch at Lowy on 3 September, one of Australia's most experienced and distinguished military men drew upon his experience of running a 21st century urban counter-insurgency to talk about how the nature of the Iraq war should feed into the Defence White Paper process. Major Gen (Retd) Andrew James Molan, AO DSC explored the need for an effective defence force that can offer government as wide a range of security options as resources permit.
His presentation, 'Running the war in Iraq: The nature of modern warfare and the new Defence White Paper' can be heard here:
Running the war in Iraq - MP3 (19MB)
His PowerPoint presentation is available here:
Running the war in Iraq - PPT (8MB)
More
|
Awarding of the 2008 Michael and Deborah Thawley scholarship
The Lowy Institute is pleased to announce the awarding of the 2008 Michael and Deborah Thawley Scholarship in international security. Adam Lockyer will join the Institute's International Security Program as an intern at the end of the year. The scholarship will also cover his research at a leading US think tank, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, in Washington in early 2009. Mr Lockyer is currently a PhD candidate in the Department of Government and International Relations at the University of Sydney, where he is completing a dissertation on the role of foreign interventions in civil wars, including case studies on Iraq and Afghanistan. His research project during the internships with Lowy and CSIS will address the strategic uses of Provincial Reconstruction Teams in Afghanistan, including implications for Australian policy.
More
|
Wednesday Lunch at Lowy - Dr Adam Dolnik presentation
At the Wednesday Lunch at Lowy on 27 August 2008, rising terrorism specialist Dr Adam Dolnik looked at the successes and failures of the field of terrorism studies, and offered some explanations about why people become terrorists.
His presentation, 'What makes a terrorist?' can be heard here:
What makes a terrorist? - MP3 (19MB)
His PowerPoint presentation can be downloaded here:
What makes a terrorist? - PPT (2MB)
A Slow TV Video is at http://www.themonthly.com.au/tm/node/1362
More
|
Back to the future
Since 1991 there has been a proliferation of new theories regarding insurgency and counterinsurgency. In this article, entitled 'Back to the future: the enduring characteristics of insurgency and counterinsurgency', Mark O’Neill offers the view that many of these have little utility in understanding the current situation. It is the enduring characteristics of insurgency and counterinsurgency that assist in understanding these situations.
Australian Army Journal, Vol V, No. 2, Winter 2008, Special edition: Counterinsurgency
Download item (201KB)
|
Distinguished Speaker Series - Mr Nick Warner presentation
As part of its Distinguished Speaker Series, the Lowy Institute for International Policy was pleased to host an address by Mr Nick Warner, Secretary of Defence. The title of Mr Warner's address was '256,800 Paper Towels: Mending Defence's Broken Backbone'.
His presentation can be heard here:
Mending Defence's Broken Backbone - MP3 (20MB)
Download item (85KB)
|
Wednesday Lunch at Lowy - Rahul Roy-Chaudhury presentation
On 4 June at the Wednesday Lunch at Lowy, leading Indian strategic analyst Rahul Roy-Chaudhury looked at India's changing strategic outlook, including in its dealings with Australia and the Asia-Pacific in a presentation entitled 'Security challenges for a rising India: Responsibilities and liabilities'.
His presentation can be heard here:
Security challenges for a rising India - MP3 (17MB)
More
|
Why the Gulf matters:
crafting an Australian security policy for the Gulf
The imminent withdrawal of Australian combat forces from Iraq does not mean that the Arabian Gulf is peripheral to Australia's strategic interests. Australian forces have been deployed there regularly over the past 20 years, and Australia's and its main trading partners' energy requirements will increasingly be met from that region. In this new Lowy Institute Policy Brief, Chief of Army Visiting Fellow Rodger Shanahan argues that Australia has permanent interests in the region and advocates the establishment of a strategic partnership with the United Arab Emirates.
Download item (511KB)
|
Australian defence policy
In this comment in the Kokoda Foundation journal Security Challenges, International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf puts the case against Australia’s seeking military capabilities sufficient to single-handedly deter or cripple a major power.
Download item (84KB)
|
Why war in Asia remains thinkable
At a recent IISS conference in Japan, Lowy Institute Visiting Fellow Hugh White set out the case for why war between states remains thinkable in Asia.
His paper can be downloaded from here:
http://www.iiss.org/conferences/asias-strategic-challenges-in-search-of-a-common-agenda/conference-papers/why-war-in-asia-remains-thinkable-prof-hugh-white/
More
|
Rudd's Asian aria sounds familiar
In this opinion piece in the Australian Financial Review, international security program director Rory Medcalf suggests that Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd combine his vision for Asia-Pacific diplomatic architecture with more immediate steps for practical co-operation with Japan, Indonesia, India and others in nuclear arms control and maritime security.
Australian Financial Review, 10 June 2008, p. 79
Download item (16KB)
|
The new defence white paper:
why we need it and what it needs to do
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 process which does not align strategic objectives, military capability plans and projected budgetary realities.
Download item (386KB)
|
India's disarmament drive an idea worth pursuing
India's tenth anniversary commemoration of its nuclear weapons tests was curiously low-key. In this opinion piece in The Australian, International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf argues that India's rekindled rhetoric about nuclear disarmament offers diplomatic openings for Australia and other countries interested in reducing nuclear dangers globally.
The Australian, 12 May 2008, p. 8
Download item (64KB)
|
The 2008 Michael and Deborah Thawley Scholarship
Applications are open for the 2008 Michael and Deborah Thawley Scholarship in International Security at the Lowy Institute for International Policy in partnership with the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
This is an exceptional opportunity for an MA or PhD student at an Australian tertiary institution to take part in the work of two leading think tanks dedicated to generating original and policy-oriented ideas and research on world affairs.
For full details please go the Recruitment section at: http://www.lowyinstitute.org/Recruitment.asp
More
|
Wednesday Lunch at Lowy - Professor Hugh White presentation
On 30 April at the Wednesday Lunch at Lowy, Professor Hugh White examined why Australia needs a new defence white paper, outlined the proper aims of such a project and identified the pitfalls that need to be avoided. He drew upon his experience in managing the development and drafting of the 2000 white paper to argue against any process which does not align strategic objectives, military capability plans and projected budgetary realities. Professor White's lecture was based on his new Lowy Institute Perspective, 'The new defence white paper: why we need it and what it needs to do'.
His presentation can be heard here:
The new defence white paper - MP3 (20MB)
More
|
Lowy Institute's Thawley Scholar in Washington
The first winner of the Michael and Deborah Thawley Scholarship in International Security, Raoul Heinrichs (pictured here with Michael Thawley AO), has commenced a research placement in Washington. The scholarship, which began last year, covers costs for a leading young Australian scholar to undertake a combined research internship with the Lowy Institute and the Center for Strategic and International Studies, one of the leading think tanks in the United States. Raoul will spend two months at CSIS before returning to the Lowy Institute to complete his research publication, dealing with Australia's global security interests and role. The 2008 Thawley Scholarship will be advertised shortly.
More
|
Big ideals but there's no budget to match
In this opinion piece in The Australian Financial Review, International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf appraises the Rudd Government's foreign and security policy ambitions, five months on. He notes the government's success in moving towards a world view that reconciles alliance commitments, the rise of China and multilateralism. But he warns that DFAT budget cuts make these ambitions unsustainable, and argues that engaging India along with pursuing rational and creative policies on nuclear energy and nuclear arms control remain major gaps.
Australian Financial Review, 21 April 2008, p. 63
Download item (64KB)
|
The nuclear energy revival and global governance
On 10-11 April 2008, the Lowy Institute co-hosted a workshop on 'The nuclear energy revival and global governance: Asia-Pacific perspectives' with the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), Waterloo, Canada.
The aim of the workshop was to consider the future of nuclear energy in the Asia-Pacific region, the likely speed and nature of growth in the sector, and the impact that this might have on nuclear governance in the areas of safety, security, waste management and nuclear weapons proliferation.
The workshop was part of a worldwide project on 'Nuclear energy futures: implications for global governance' being conducted by CIGI with the Canadian Centre for Treaty Compliance (CCTC) at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University, Ottawa. The project will result in a public report to be be released in 2009. For further information see www.cigionline.ca. For information on the CCTC visit www.carleton.ca/cctc.
More
|
Nuclear power in Southeast Asia: Implications for Australia and non-proliferation
This Lowy Institute Analysis by regional energy specialist Andrew Symon explores the reasons and prospects for increased interest in nuclear power in Southeast Asia, as well as implications for Australia and nuclear weapons non-proliferation. A key issue is whether countries will embark on sensitive segments of the fuel cycle. Approaches to help allay such concerns include international fuel supply mechanisms and the possibility of a co-operative approach to nuclear power development within ASEAN. Australia, as a major uranium supplier, regional neighbour and supporter of non-proliferation, will want to ensure that nuclear power in Southeast Asia develops safely and in a context of co-operation.
Download item (608KB)
|
Visit by US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State
On 3 April, the Lowy Institute hosted the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs with responsibility for China, Taiwan and Mongolia, Thomas J. Christensen. Professor Christensen spoke on US-China relations to a distinguished gathering of international scholars, drawn from a major conference on regional security, convened by the Australian National University and a range of partner institutions. In his informal remarks, Professor Christensen drew upon his recent Congressional testimony on how the US could help shape China’s policy choices through diplomacy.
Professor Christensen's Statement Before the U.S. – China Economic and Security Review Commission is at:
http://www.state.gov/p/eap/rls/rm/2008/03/102327.htm
More
|
Australia, monster slayer
A recent proposal for an Australian conventional flexible deterrent option, intended to cripple any major power that might threaten the country, would commit massive resources to a highly unlikely contingency, writes international security program director Rory Medcalf in this opinion piece in the Sydney Morning Herald. He suggests that any discussion of this 'Beowulf option' needs to factor in the opportunity costs of seeking to sustain a combat capability edge against what will become far wealthier and more powerful Asian states.
Sydney Morning Herald, 9 April 2008, p. 11
Download item (59KB)
|
Wednesday Lunch at Lowy - Andrew Symon presentation
On 9 April at the Wednesday Lunch at Lowy, Singapore-based analyst and journalist Andrew Symon spoke about the increasing interest in nuclear energy in Southeast Asia, to coincide with the launch of a Lowy Institute Analysis written by him on the same topic, 'Nuclear power in Southeast Asia: implications for Australia and non-proliferation'.
His presentation is available here in PowerPoint:
Nuclear power in Southeast Asia - PPT (17MB)
His presentation can be heard here:
Nuclear power in Southeast Asia - MP3 (21MB)
More
|
Not a fight to hedge on
In an opinion piece in The Australian, Anthony Bubalo and Rory Medcalf argue that while Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has made Australia's role in Afghanistan conditional, that country is far too important to abandon.
The Australian, 4 April 2008, p. 12
Download item (56KB)
|
Thinking security
On Thursday 19 March 2008 the Hon. Kim Beazley delivered the second annual Coral Bell Lecture in Canberra. The purpose of this annual lecture is to recognise those individuals who, in their professional careers, have been able to bridge the worlds of academe and international policymaking. The lecture series reflects the key objective of the Lowy Institute to produce original research that combines academic rigor with policy relevance.
Mr Beazley spoke on the topic Thinking security: Influencing national strategy from the academy; An Australian experience.
This lecture series is named in honour of Dr Coral Bell, whose career epitomised the successful union of international policy theory with its practice.
Download item (342KB)
|
The emerging global order
This Lowy Institute Paper by Senator Russell Trood explores the shifting foundations of the emerging global order. It identifies the fault-lines of today's world politics and assesses the effectiveness of traditional approaches to armed force, international organisations and international law.
It combines a comprehensive survey of the challenges facing the international community - from terrorism and nuclear proliferation to climate change, pandemics, population and energy pressures - with a set of recommendations to guide Australian foreign policy under a policy framework of selective global activism.
To order a hard copy of this publication click here.
Download item (590KB)
|
Hesitating on the brink of partnership
In this piece for the East-West Center, Washington, International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf argues that Australia and India are hesitating at the brink of real partnership in their strategic relations. It will take sustained political will on both sides over the next few years to bring the relationship to its potential. If these hopes end up unfulfilled, the reasons could well be connected to Indian perceptions, however misinformed, about Australian policies on uranium and on China.
Download item (193KB)
|
Dear Mr Rudd: Defence
In this conversation, one of a series related to the launch of 'Dear Mr Rudd: ideas for a better Australia' edited by Robert Manne (Black Inc), Lowy Institute Visiting Fellow Hugh White and Robert Manne address the past, present and future of Australian defence policy.
http://www.themonthly.com.au/tm/node/844
[part one]
http://www.themonthly.com.au/tm/node/843
[part two]
More
|
Wednesday Lunch at Lowy - Rodger Shanahan presentation
At the Wednesday Lunch at Lowy on 19 March, Chief of Army Visiting Fellow Colonel Rodger Shanahan discussed the current status of Lebanese Hizbullah and how political forces may shape its future in a presentation entitled 'Hizbullah's post-war dilemma: walking the Lebanese political tightrope?'
The presentation can be heard here:
Hizbullah's post-war dilemma - MP3 (20MB)
More
|
The promise and the limits of the US-India relationship
The 2008 Australia-India Strategic Lecture was presented at the Lowy Institute on 25 March 2008 by Ambassador Lalit Mansingh. The title of his lecture was 'The promise and the limits of the India-US relationship: What it means for Asia and the world'. The partnership between India and the United States has been a central part of the story of India's changing place in the world in recent years, and Ambassador Mansingh has played a singular role in the transformation of the relationship between the world's two largest democracies. He is a former Indian Foreign Secretary and Ambassador to the United States. His visit to Australia was supported by the Australia-India Council, the Lowy Institute's partner in the Australia-India Strategic Lecture.
Ambassador Mansingh's lecture can be heard here:
2008 Australia-India Strategic Lecture - MP3 (23MB)
Download item (248KB)
|
Wednesday Lunch at Lowy - Rory Medcalf presentation
At the Wednesday Lunch at Lowy on 12 March 2008, International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf proposed a new type of arms control initiative for the Rudd Government, one focused primarily on Asia and its rising nuclear-armed powers China and India.
His presentation, 'Nuclear arms control and disarmament: What can Australia do?' can be heard here:
Nuclear arms control and disarmament - MP3 (18MB)
More
|
Let's not leap into the fire as we leave the frying pan
In an opinion piece in The Australian, Lowy Institute Visiting Fellow Hugh White argues that we should maintain a small presence in Afghanistan for the sake of the US alliance but without overcommitting ourselves.
Download item (62KB)
|
Quadrilateral dialogue
The quadrilateral dialogue among the US, Japan, Australia and India was never as substantial as its champions or its detractors claimed it to be, argues international security program director Rory Medcalf in this article in the February-March edition of The Diplomat. China saw menace in a phantom. In fact, the quad was not an embryonic alliance, its effects were mixed - and it may not be quite dead.
The Diplomat, Feb-March 2008, pp. 16-18
Download item (26KB)
|
India should play its part
In this article in new Indian publication Pragati ('Progress'), International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf argues that Australia alone cannot do all the running in building a strategic partnership with India. India needs to recognise Australia as a serious strategic player in the Indo-Pacific region, not just a US ally or an adjunct to ASEAN. He also suggests that India needs to recognise the genuineness of Australia's motives on nuclear arms control, and that new efforts at co-operation between the two countries in this field could eventually help to generate bipartisanship in Australia on supplying uranium to India.
Pragati: The Indian National Interest Review, No. 11, February 2008, pp 2-4 (online at http://pragati.nationalinterest.in)
Download item (397KB)
|
Nixonian spirit is essential for US-China relations
In an opinion piece in The Australian, Lowy Institute Visiting Fellow Hugh White argues that John McCain is the candidate most likely to emulate his Republican predecessor and be a true statesman in our region.
The Australian, 27 February 2008, p. 14
Download item (63KB)
|
Defence umbrella put to the test
In an opinion piece in The Australian, Sam Roggeveen writes that friends and foes alike are watching as the US shoots down its satellite.
The Australian, 20 February 2008, p. 14
Download item (63KB)
|
PM's Defence dilemma
In this opinion piece in The Australian, Lowy Institute Visiting Fellow Professor Hugh White argues that Kevin Rudd's good intentions may not be enough to fix the many operational problems within our armed forces.
The Australian, 12 February 2008, p. 12
Download item (63KB)
|
Australia-India strategic ties
On 9 February, International Security program director Rory Medcalf was interviewed by ABC broadcaster Geraldine Doogue on her Radio National program, Saturday Extra, on the challenge of advancing Australia's strategic ties with India. He argued that Australia needs to raise its India relationship to the same level as its links with Beijing, given India's massive growth potential as an economic and military power. The interview also considered the rising importance of the Indian Navy and prospects for revisiting Australian uranium sales to India. A podcast of the interview can be heard here: http://www.abc.net.au/rn/saturdayextra/stories/2008/2157619.htm
More
|
How we missed a chance for peace
Sam Roggeveen, editor of the Lowy Institute blog, The Interpreter, reviews Arsenals of Folly: The Making of the Nuclear Arms Race, by Richard Rhodes.
Sydney Morning Herald, 2 February 2008, p. S28
Download item (59KB)
|
The end of the Vasco da Gama era
The new Australian Government will have to navigate some difficult diplomatic waters in a world where power is shifting away from unipolarity and towards an Asia-centric multipolar order. This Lowy Institute Paper by one of Australia's renowned international security scholars, Dr Coral Bell AO, sketches the probable future landscape of the society of states as it emerges from the twilight of US paramountcy. Dr Bell argues that the world is in transition to a multipolar balance of six great powers: the United States, the European Union, China, India, Russia and Japan. She analyses their respective interests and ambitions, and offers some observations on the options for Canberra presented by the end of the 'Vasco da Gama era' of Western ascendancy over Asia.
To order a hard copy of this publication click here.
Download item (990KB)
|
Time to lift our game and engage India
In this opinion piece in The Age, international security program director Rory Medcalf argues that recent progress in China-India relations is a reminder that Australia needs to invest more seriously in its India diplomacy.
The Age, 17 January 2008, p. 15
Download item (61KB)
|
World order under stress: issues & initiatives
Professor Robert O'Neill AO, a member of the Lowy Institute's Board of Directors, delivered the Cunningham Lecture for 2007 at the Academy of the Social Sciences. The title of his Lecture, available here, is 'World order under stress: issues and initiatives for the 21st century'.
Download item (246KB)
|
How Australia can help Pakistan
In this opinion piece in The Sydney Morning Herald, international security program director Rory Medcalf identifies the steps Australia can and should take to pursue its declared support for a more democratic and secure order in Pakistan, following the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.
Sydney Morning Herald, 8 January 2008, p. 11
Download item (58KB)
|
Australia's relations with India
Rory Medcalf's brief on Australia's relations with India is an Incoming Government Brief on the Lowy Institute's blog The Interpreter: http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/
More
|
Australia's strategic dilemmas
No matter who wins the 24 November Federal election, the next Australian government will face dilemmas in international policy, especially in defence and security. In this article published in the UK Royal United Services Institute's Newsbrief, International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf writes that Australia's improved security capabilities will not enable the country to escape difficult decisions in the years ahead. These relate to questions of force and risk in US-led campaigns, as well as to the mismatch between Australia's interests and capabilities in an uncertain strategic environment.
Download item (126KB)
|
Wednesday Lunch at Lowy - Peter Beck presentation
At the Wednesday Lunch at Lowy on 14 November 2007, Mr Peter Beck, Executive Director of the U.S. Committee for Human Rights in North Korea, spoke on the plight of a large number of ordinary people who have fled the hardship of life in North Korea to a precarious existence in China. His presentation was entitled 'Perilous journeys: the plight of North Korean refugees in China and beyond.' An ICG report referred to by Mr Beck in his presentation can be found here.
The presentation can be heard here:
Perilous journeys - MP3 (19MB)
More
|
Wednesday Lunch at Lowy - Panellists' presentations
On 24 November a new Australian Government was elected under the leadership of Kevin Rudd, MP, a Chinese-speaking former diplomat with deep expertise in foreign policy.
At the Wednesday Lowy Lunch on 5 December a panel of analysts commented on prospective international policy under Mr Rudd's government.
The panellists included: Dr Malcolm Cook, Program Director, Asia & the Pacific; Dr Michael Fullilove, Program Director, Global Issues; and Rory Medcalf, Program Director International Security.
The presentations of the panellists, Dr Malcolm Cook, Dr Michael Fullilove and Rory Medcalf can be heard here:
Australia’s international policy under the Rudd Government - MP3 (21MB)
More
|
Defence and security
The Lowy Institute Voters' Guide to International Policy addresses the sort of questions we should be putting to our political leaders.
Section 4 of the Guide, 'Defence and Security', by Rory Medcalf, Program Director International Security, is available here.
Download item (67KB)
|
Australia and Indonesia
The changing Australian security relationship with its largest neighbour, Indonesia, is the subject of a chapter the Executive Director of the Lowy Institute, Allan Gyngell, has contributed to a new book. 'Australia as an Asia Pacific Regional Power; Friendship in Flux' was edited by Dr Brendan Taylor and includes chapters by many leading Australian scholars. It is published by Routledge. You can read Allan Gyngell's chapter here.
Download item (184KB)
|
Stopping a nuclear arms race between America and China
China and America may be at the start of a destabilising nuclear arms race, as China tries to preserve its ability to deter US nuclear attack in the light of US missile defences and nuclear system upgrades. That would undermine hopes that the US and China can build a stable cooperative relationship as China's power grows. So Australia has a big interest in trying to help head off the risk of an arms race. In a new Lowy Institute Policy Brief, Hugh White suggests that there is something simple we could try.
Download item (598KB)
|
Defensive positions
In this article in The Bulletin magazine, International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf assesses that a militarised Asia could prove a boon or a bane in an age of climate refugees.
The Bulletin, 9 October 2007, p. 27
Download item (63KB)
|
Beyond the Paramount Area
In this paper for a pre-election edition of the Kokoda Foundation journal Security Challenges, International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf outlines some of the possible difficult decisions ahead for Australian security policy in regions beyond the neighbourhood. With limited defence resources, and potentially unbounded global interests, Australia will need to weigh relativities of risk and translate them into deployment decisions. Australian governments have more discretion that they publicly acknowledge in deciding where and how to use the Australian Defence Force. But alliance expectations will weigh heavily in both regions most linked to Australia's global interests, Northeast Asia and West Asia.
Download item (140KB)
|
Uranium sales to India appear inevitable, but there's still scope for a better price
In an extended opinion piece in the Melbourne Age, Rory Medcalf, Program Director, International Security, explores how Australia might agree to sell uranium to India in ways consistent with shared interests in reducing nuclear dangers globally. A shorter version of this article appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald and the online Brisbane Times.
The Age, 6 August 2007, p. 11
Sydney Morning Herald, 6 August 2007, p. 11
Download item (18KB)
|
Weapons of mass destruction: maintaining the rage
The inaugural John Gee Memorial Lecture, 'Weapons of mass destruction: maintaining the rage', was delivered by Gareth Evans, President, International Crisis Group, at the Australian National University, Canberra, on 16 August 2007, in conjunction with the Lowy Institute for International Policy. A transcript of the lecture can be downloaded here.
The lecture can also be heard here.
Download item (269KB)
|
Will this be the Pacific Century?
This Lowy Institute Perspective, by Non-resident Senior Fellow Professor Alan Dupont, is based on his presentation to the Fifth Pacific Armies' Chiefs' Conference (PACC V), in Sydney, on 6 August 2007.
Download item (236KB)
|
Rory Medcalf on www.economist.com
Rory Medcalf's analysis on the context and implications of possible Australian uranium sales to India featured in a story titled 'The Indian exception' in The Economist on 23 August 2007: http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9687637.
More
|
Awarding of the inaugural Michael and Deborah Thawley Bursary
The Lowy Institute is pleased to announce the awarding of the inaugural Michael and Deborah Thawley bursary in international security. Raoul E. Heinrichs will join the Lowy Institute's International Security Program as an intern in late 2007. Under a new provision of the bursary, he will also have the opportunity for research at a leading US think tank, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, in Washington in early 2008. Mr Heinrichs is currently a T.B. Millar Scholar in Strategic and Defence Studies, studying for an MA (Strategic Studies) at the Australian National University. His research project during his internships with Lowy and CSIS will address prospects for relations among Australia, the United States, Japan and India in the context of Australia's global strategic interests and role.
More
|
Wednesday Lunch at Lowy - Dr Norman Friedman presentation
Western militaries in the early 21st century find themselves busy with land-based stabilisation and counter-insurgency missions. Yet at the same time, many countries are embarking on major new investments in naval capabilities. Australia, for instance, recently announced its selection of three air warfare destroyers and two large 'strategic projection' transport ships. This week at the Wednesday Lunch at Lowy, Dr Norman Friedman, a leading U.S. expert on strategic and naval affairs, explored why naval power still matters.
His presentation can be heard here:
Why naval power matters - MP3 (18MB)
More
|
Terrorism fight takes back seat in rise of the Asian century
In an opinion piece for The Sydney Morning Herald, Visiting Fellow Hugh White discussed the launch of the Federal Government's new Defence Update released on 5 July.
The Sydney Morning Herald, 6 July 2007
Download item (42KB)
|
Defence update's hidden depths
In an opinion piece for the Australian Financial Review, International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf looks at the 2007 Defence Update. He describes it as a welcome effort to explain Australia's growing military power, but notes that it also carries messages and omissions which could raise as many questions as they answer.
Australian Financial Review, 10 July 2007, p. 63
Download item (16KB)
|
Defence policies more about politics than strategy
Rory Medcalf, Program Director International Security, was interviewed on ABC Radio's PM program on the defence policy statements released by the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader.
The interview is available at: http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2007/s1971153.htm
More
|
Red Mosque fighting continues
Rory Medcalf, Program Director International Security, was interviewed on ABC Radio's The World Today program on the continuing fighting in Islamabad's Red Mosque and implications for President Musharraf's hold on power.
The interview is available at: http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2007/s1975741.htm
More
|
Lateline interviews: Hugh White and Alan Dupont
Visiting Fellow Professor Hugh White and Non-resident Senior Fellow Professor Alan Dupont were interviewed by Virginia Trioli on ABC's Lateline program on the political aspects of terrorism and national security.
The interviews are available at:
http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2007/s1972427.htm
More
|
Lateline interview: Rory Medcalf
Rory Medcalf was interviewed on ABC TV's Lateline program on the siege of Islamabad's Red Mosque.
The interview is available at: http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2007/s1974185.htm
More
|
Wednesday Lunch at Lowy - Rory Medcalf presentation
At the Wednesday Lunch at Lowy on 20 June, Rory Medcalf, Program Director International Security, assessed the likely impacts of a powerful India on Australia's future strategic environment. He drew upon his experience as a diplomat in New Delhi to consider the sources of India's new confidence as a geopolitical player, the drivers of Indian strategic behaviour, and the prospects for security partnerships with New Delhi. He suggested that, for Australia, the hard decisions in engaging India lay ahead. This presentation was reported widely in the Indian press.
His presentation can be heard here:
Dealing with a powerful India - MP3 (19MB)
More
|
Wednesday Lunch at Lowy - Malcolm Cook & Rory Medcalf presentations
At the Wednesday Lunch at Lowy on 9 May, Malcolm Cook, Program Director Asia & the Pacific, and Rory Medcalf, Program Director International Security, explored what the Australia-Japan Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation means for Australia-Japan relations and what it tells us about Japan's new security posture. They also covered implications for the region, including Chinese perceptions.
Their presentations can be heard here:
Connecting the spokes - MP3 (21MB)
More
|
Wednesday Lunch at Lowy - Professor Hugh White presentation
On 23 May at the Wednesday Lunch at Lowy, Visiting Fellow Hugh White spoke on the topic 'A nuclear arms race between China and the United States: what Australia can do to stop it'.
His presentation can be heard here:
A nuclear arms race between China and the US - MP3 (20MB)
More
|
Mass destruction, mass distribution
Lowy Institute Visiting Fellow Owen Harries reviewed 'The atomiz bazaar', a book about the current and prospective states of the nuclear arms industry by William Langewiesche, in the Wall Street Journal.
Wall Street Journal, 22 May 2007, P. D7
Download item (94KB)
|
Anzac, our Achilles heel?
In this opinion piece in The Age, Lowy Institute Visiting Fellow Hugh White argues that the nation's defence strategy should be about future threats, not past glories.
The Age, 24 May 2007, p. 15
Download item (17KB)
|
Wednesday Lunch at Lowy - Professor Hugh White
On 23 May at the Wednesday Lunch at Lowy, Visiting Fellow Hugh White spoke on the topic 'A nuclear arms race between China and the United States: what Australia can do to stop it'. His presentation will be available on 24 May.
More
|
Uranium for India: avoiding the pitfalls
In a new Lowy Institute Policy Brief, Ron Walker, a former Australian Permanent Representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency, warns that selling uranium to India without the same legal obligations and non-proliferation standards that apply to our other customers could undermine our broader foreign policy interests and weaken the national consensus to continue uranium mining and exports.
The Brief argues that instead of making an exception for India, Australia should work to strengthen the international nuclear non-proliferation system and engage India in that process. The result could be a more effective non-proliferation regime and one that includes India and, potentially, one day, the other two NPT holdouts.
Ron Walker is a Visiting Fellow at the Asia-Pacific College of Diplomacy at the Australian National University. He was Chairman of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency in 1993-1994.
Download item (352KB)
|
Max Boot presentation
Mr Max Boot, Senior Fellow for National Security Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, spoke at the Lowy Institute on 17 May on the situation in Iraq, including the prospects for the current US strategy and the consequences if it fails.
His speech can be heard here:
Technology, warfare and the course of history - MP3 (21MB)
More
|
Another nuclear arms race is in the offing
In this opinion piece, Lowy Institute Visiting Fellow Hugh White writes that there are ways Australia can help reduce the risk of a nuclear arms race between the United States and China.
Sydney Morning Herald, 10 May 2007, p. 11
The Age, 10 May 2007, p. 15
Download item (17KB)
|
Time is ripe for investment in Africa
Lowy Institute Visiting Fellow Mark O'Neill writes in this opinion piece in the Australian Financial Review that Australia's renewed focus on Zimbabwe should reignite wider interest in Africa.
Australian Financial Review, 16 May 2007, p. 63
Download item (14KB)
|
Hardly a war to end war
The Lowy Institute's Program Director for International Security, Rory Medcalf, looks at how the Iraq conflict might affect Western countries' future decisions on the use of force. He argues that this impact will be less straightforward than the war's magnitude as a US strategic error might suggest. But one legacy of Iraq will be to add to demands on the ADF. This piece appeared originally in an ASPI online forum.
Download item (19KB)
|
Wednesday Lunch at Lowy - Mark O'Neill presentation
This week’s regular Lowy Lunch, which took place on Tuesday 24 April, was presented by Lieutenant Colonel Mark O'Neill, the Army Fellow at the Lowy Institute for International Policy.
On ANZAC Day Australians reflect upon the sacrifices made by the men and women in the service of our nation during war. The ANZAC legend was created during the First World War and subsequently reinforced during the Second World War. This has created an enduring public perception that the nature of our wars is predominately 'state on state' or 'conventional'. This paradigmatic perception has shaped public policy thinking on defence and security issues.
Mark O'Neill argued that this perception is erroneous. He suggested that our participation in conventional wars is the exception rather than the norm.
His presentation can be heard here:
Australia's small wars - MP3 (17MB)
More
|
Uranium thorn
This opinion piece by Rory Medcalf in the Times of India is a version of an article previously published in the Australian Financial Review. It argues that Australia should try to reconcile its uranium and non-proliferation policies with India's rise.
Times of India, 20 April 2007
Download item (16KB)
|
The road to Tehran
In this opinion piece published in The Age, Lowy Institute Visiting Fellow Hugh White writes that the next president may need to emulate Richard Nixon to find an exit strategy from Iraq.
The Age, 12 April 2007, p. 15
Download item (17KB)
|
A road Australia has travelled already
Lowy Institute Visiting Fellow Hugh White argues in this opinion piece that nuclear weapons cease to be an improbability if Australia decides to enrich its uranium.
Sydney Morning Herald, 1 March 2007, p. 17
The Age, 1 March 2007, p. 19
Download item (17KB)
|
The changing Asia-Pacific security web
In this opinion piece in The Age, Rory Medcalf, Program Director for International Security, writes on the wider regional significance of the new Japan-Australia Joint Declaration on Security Co-operation. He argues that there are ways in which closer Australia-Japan security dialogue might end up being in China's interests.
The Age, 16 March 2007, p. 15
Download item (17KB)
|
Uranium and India: keep options open
Rory Medcalf, Program Director, International Security, writes in this opinion piece that Australia should try to reconcile its uranium and non-proliferation policies with India's rise.
Australian Financial Review, 4 April 2007
Download item (16KB)
|
Defence faces a deficit deeper than our pockets
In this opinion piece, Lowy Institute Visiting Fellow Hugh White examines the Defence budget and the decision to spend $6 billion on 24 F-18F Super Hornet aircraft.
Sydney Morning Herald, 29 March 2007, p. 13 and The Age, 20 March 2007, p. 19
Download item (17KB)
|
The Lowy Institute welcomes Mr Rory Medcalf as Program Director for International Security
Mr Rory Medcalf has joined the Lowy Institute as Program Director for International Security.
Further details can be found in the attached media release.
Download item (64KB)
|
Scorched earth an insecure place
Lowy Institute Non-resident Senior Fellow, Professor Alan Dupont, writes on the new report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. He is the author, with Dr Graeme Pearman, of a Lowy Institute Paper entitled 'Heating up the planet: climate change and security', available at: http://www.lowyinstitute.org/Publication.asp?pid=391
The Australian, 5 February 2007, p. 8
Download item (22KB)
|
Pursuit of naval capability heads Blair, Howard in different directions
In this opinion piece, Lowy Institute Visiting Fellow Hugh White argues that Australia's naval expansion plans carry grave risk at a time of ever more sophisticated weaponry.
Sydney Morning Herald, 8 February 2007, p. 15
The Age, 8 February 2007, p. 17
Download item (20KB)
|
Trouble looms, whichever path Bush takes
In this opinion piece in the Sydney Morning Herald, Lowy Institute Visiting Fellow Hugh White discusses the costs and risks of staying in Iraq and of leaving Iraq.
Sydney Morning Herald, 19 December 2006, p. 11.
A version of this opinion piece was also published in The Age, 19 Decemebr 2006, p. 13
Download item (20KB)
|
Australian defence policy
The outgoing Secretary of the Department of Defence, Mr Ric Smith AO PSM, gave his reflections on a time of deep change in Australian defence policy in a speech in the Lowy Institute's Distinguished Speaker Series on 13 November 2006 on the subject 'Change in defence'.
Download item (49KB)
|
The new - and old - threats beyond defence of Australia
Lowy Institute Visiting Fellow Hugh White argues in this opinion piece that Australia needs a light army and a heavy-hitting navy and air force. His Lowy Institute Paper, entitled Beyond the Defence of Australia, is being released this week.
Sydney Morning Herald, 5 Decemebr 2006, p. 15.
A version of this op-ed was published in The Age, 5 December 2006, p. 13.
Download item (20KB)
|
Wednesday Lunch at Lowy - Professor Alan Dupont presentation
On 1 November at the Wednesday Lunch at Lowy, Professor Alan Dupont, the Michael Hintze Chair of International Security at the University of Sydney, explored the implications of North Korea's nuclear weapons program for global and regional security following Pyongyang’s provocative nuclear test on 9 October.
His presentation can be heard here:
North Korea - MP3 (19MB)
More
|
Stronger China, tougher Japan make an Asian stand-off
In this opinion piece in The Age, Lowy Institute Visiting Fellow Hugh White argues that this is the time to ease tension between the two regional powers.
The Age, 17 November 2006, p. 15
Download item (20KB)
|
Why are we in Iraq? Australian policy
In this opinion piece in the Sydney Morning Herald, Lowy Institute Visiting Fellow Professor Hugh White examines Australian policy on Iraq.
Sydney Morning Herald, 1 November 2006, p. 15
Download item (19KB)
|
Australian defence capability planning: the facts from the Chief
The Australian Defence Force is currently undertaking operations in nine locations across the globe, with over 3,000 men and women committed. This is a level of activity without recent precedent. The Australian Government recently committed to a Defence budget increase equivalent to 3% in real terms. Some of this will fund the acquisition and ongoing sustainment of the ADF's commitment to capability development expressed in The Defence Capability Plan 2006-2016.
The Chief of the ADF's Capability Development Group, Lieutenant General David Hurley AO DSC, spoke to the Wednesday Lunch at Lowy audience on 23rd August. In a wide-ranging presentation, General Hurley offered an insider's unique perspective from his senior position within the ADF on a number of important and topical issues.
His presentation can be found here:
Defence Capability Planning - MP3 (20MB)
More
|
Interview: Professor Hugh White
Professor Hugh White, Visiting Fellow at the Lowy Institute, was interviewed by Mark Colvin on the relationship between the US vote and the war in Iraq.
The interview is available at:
http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2006/s1784991.htm
More
|
Moti affair offers a lesson for a short-sighted neighbour
In this opinion piece, Lowy Institute Visiting Fellow Professor Hugh White examines the significance of the Moti affair.
Sydney Morning Herald, 19 October 2006, p. 19
Download item (20KB)
|
Back to the future of keeping peace in the neighbourhood
Professor Hugh White, Visiting Fellow at the Lowy Institute, writes in this opinion piece that the army has been transformed into an instrument of Australia's policy of engagement in its neighbourhood.
Sydney Morning Herald, 28 August 2006, p. 11
Download item (19KB)
|
Time to move on in the defence policy debate
The paradigm of strategic geography gained prominence in Australian defence policy in the 1987 Defence White Paper 'The Defence of Australia'. Time and evolving strategic circumstance has made this paradigm increasingly irrelevant to Australia's defence. Recent Government defence policy, operational commitments and acquisitions reflect this fact. Despite this, adherents continue to advocate the need for strategic geography as the bedrock of Australian defence Policy.
In an article published in the Australian Journal of International Affairs, Vol. 60(3), pp. 358-363, September 2006, the Lowy Institute's Army Fellow, Mark O'Neill, argues that the case has been made to move on from the strategic geography paradigm. He points out that many of the arguments made in support of it do not stand up under detailed examination.
Download item (39KB)
|
Terrorism a threat, but not to our way of life
In this opinion piece in The Age, Lowy Institute Visiting Fellow Hugh White examines the real extent of the threat of terrorism to society at large.
The Age, 11 September 2006, P. 13
Download item (19KB)
|
Wednesday Lunch at Lowy - Professor Hugh White presentation
On 26 July at the Wednesday Lunch at Lowy, Professor Hugh White addressed the challenges of modern armies and humanitarian missions. His presentation was entitled 'A force for good? Modern armies and humanitarian missions'. Professor White contended that armed forces are not very good at many humanitarian roles, and indeed they might be better off sticking to the job for which they are designed.
His presentation can be heard here:
Professor Hugh White Presentation - MP3 (21MB)
More
|
Heat building as governments ignore dangers
In this opinion piece in The Australian, Alan Dupont writes that security is one of the unaddressed issues posed by climate change.
The Australian, 13 June 2006, p. 12
Download item (21KB)
|
Why this new fighter jet is worth the gamble
In this opinion piece, Lowy Institute Visiting Fellow Hugh White argues that for all its problems, the Joint Strike Fighter will uphold our military status in the region.
The Age, 18 July 2006, p. 11
This opinion piece was also published in the Sydney Morning Herald, 19 July 2006, p. 11
Download item (18KB)
|
Time to face climate change implications
Dr Alan Dupont appeared on ABC Television's Lateline program to discuss the new Lowy Institute Paper jointly authored by Dr Dupont and Dr Graeme Pearman entitled "Heating up the planet: climate change and security". The Paper is available for download at: http://www.lowyinstitute.org/Publication.asp?pid=391
A transcript of the interview is available on the ABC website at:
http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2006/s1664303.htm
More
|
Interview: Hugh White
Lowy Institute Visiting Fellow Hugh White was interviewed on ABC 702 Statewide Mornings program on reports that North Korea had launched four missiles.
More
|
Interview: Dr Alan Dupont
Dr Alan Dupont was interviewed by Linda LoPresti on Radio National's Asia Pacific program on the new Japan-United States strategic agreement.
The interview can be heard at:
http://www.abc.net.au/ra/asiapac/programs/s1629063.htm
More
|
Just who's afraid of China?
In this opinion piece, Hugh White writes that the United States risks too much in portraying China as a threat to the rest of Asia.
The Age, 21 June 2006, p. 15
Download item (19KB)
|
The spying game
Dr Alan Dupont was interviewed on Nine Network's Sunday program on the secret operations of Australia's domestic intelligence organisation, ASIO, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation. A transcript is available from the Nine Network's website at:
http://sunday.ninemsn.com.au/sunday/...
More
|
Australian Grand Strategy Symposium
Dr Alan Dupont, Senior Fellow for International Security at the Lowy Institute, presented a paper entitled 'Matching Means and Ends' at a symposium he organised in collaboration with the Land Warfare Studies Centre, the Sturdee Symposium on Australian Grand Strategy, held in Canberra on 12 April 2005.
More
|
We need to tell Condi some blunt truths
In this opinion piece, Alan Dupont writes on the trilateral security dialogue, Condoleezza Rice's statements, and the perils of alienating China.
The Australian, 15 March 2006, p. 12
Download item (19KB)
|
The schizophrenic superpower
Dr Alan Dupont has published an article entitled The Schizophrenic Superpower in the journal The National Interest.
When Robert Kagan famously wrote that, in their approach to power and security, Americans are from Mars and Europeans from Venus, what might he have said about Japan? In most respects, post-modern Japan has been more like Europe than America in preferring diplomacy to force, persuasion to coercion and multilateralism to unilateralism.
More
|
The real battle is far from the battlefield
In this opinion piece, Hugh White writes that to fix problems in the Defence Force, leadership needs to start at the very top.
Sydney Morning Herald, 25 May 2006, p. 11
Download item (19KB)
|
Unsheathing the Samurai sword: Japan's changing security policy
This Lowy Institute Paper by Senior Fellow for International Security, Dr Alan Dupont, argues that Japan is moving away from its pacifist past towards a more hardheaded and outward looking security posture characterised by a greater willingness to use the Self Defense Force in support of its foreign policy and defence interests.
This shift is evolutionary, not revolutionary, but it is gaining momentum and represents a defining watershed in Japan's postwar security policy which will require some new thinking in Canberra as well as Tokyo.
To order a hard copy of this publication click here.
Download item (388KB)
|
We have to bring out the big guns
In this opinion piece, Dr Alan Dupont of the Lowy Institute details expectations of the upcoming 2005 strategic update and suggests that an army with greater firepower will improve national security.
The Australian, 29 November 2005, p. 12
Download item (21KB)
|
Buying air warfare destroyers: a strategic decision
The Government has chosen a builder for three new Air Warfare Destroyers [AWDs] before it has properly considered whether we really need to buy them, and how best to buy them if we do. At $6 billion it's the biggest defence equipment decision in fifteen years, so it needs more careful consideration. In fact AWDs are far from our highest defence priority; buying them would be a mistake, and squeeze more important Air and Army capabilities. And Defence's complex new acquisition process raises real risks that, if it goes ahead, the project will run into some of the same problems that have dogged the Collins submarines. Ministers need to look carefully before signing off on it.
Download item (335KB)
|
