Asia
What sort of power does Japan want to be?
Hugh White graciously flags my assessment of Japan as he tries to make sense of Chinese policy toward Tokyo. He is right: my 'analysis does lend support to the idea that Japan…
What Beijing fears most: Intra-Asian balancing
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a rising China, in possession of a modernising military, must be in want of a non-militarised Japan. So is Beijing being foolish by…
China's strategy to sow distrust of Japan
Promoting mutual distrust in the Asia Pacific now appears central to Chinese strategy. As Hugh White has argued persuasively, China seeks greater influence in Asia through…
Jokowi, Indonesia's president in waiting
While Indonesia's losing presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto is still busy challenging last month's election results at the Constitutional Court, president-elect Joko Widodo,…
US courts Vietnam with military chief's visit
'The place for you right now is Vietnam.' So President Obama and Defense Secretary Hagel reportedly told the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey, and…
AUSMIN 2014: What are we getting ourselves into?
Here's The Australian's Greg Sheridan on this week's AUSMIN talks:
...the two governments committed to establish a working group on integrating their efforts on ballistic…
Commentary
The U.S.- China Rivalry Has Asia on Edge: Can "Middle Powers" Create Stability?
The U.S.- China Rivalry Has Asia on Edge: Can "Middle Powers" Create Stability?C. Raja Mohan and Rory MedcalfThe National Interest15 August 2014Please click …
At AUSMIN 2014, let's talk about naval force posture
Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel arrives in Sydney, 11 August 2014. (Department of Defence.)
US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel touched down in Sydney today for the annual…
New Lowy Institute paper urges Indo-Pacific middle powers to band together
In a new Lowy Institute Analysis launched today, International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf and Nonresident Fellow C Raja Mohan argue that Indo-Pacific middle powers…
SSBNs are unnecessary and destabilising
A Chinese Type 094 (Jin-class) SSBN. (Wikipedia.)
Regarding the Chinese and Indian ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) programs and their impact on international security, my…