Programs & Projects

The International Security Program

The International Security Program

The International Security Program looks at strategic dynamics and security risks globally, with an emphasis on Australia's region of Indo-Pacific Asia. Its research spans strategic competition and the risks of conflict in Asia, security implications of the rise of China and India, maritime security, nuclear arms control, Australian defence policy and the changing character of conflict. The Program draws on a network of experts in Australia, Asia and globally, and is supported by diverse funding sources including grants from the MacArthur Foundation and the Nuclear Threat Initiative. It convenes international policy dialogues such as the 2017 Australia-ROK Emerging Leaders International Security Forum and has a record of producing leading-edge, influential reports.

Experts
Latest publications
News and media
Lowy Lecture Series: 'Border management and its role in supporting national economic competitiveness' by Mike Pezzullo
Speeches
Lowy Lecture Series: 'Border management and its role in supporting national economic competitiveness' by Mike Pezzullo
On 16 October 2013 Michael Pezzullo, Chief Executive of the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, gave a lecture at the Lowy Institute on 'Border management and…
Israel has no need to worry about Obama
Dougal Robinson is a Lowy Institute Project Research Assistant. The US and Iran held a one-hour bilateral meeting in Geneva on Tuesday as part of negotiations on Iran's nuclear…
Yes, Japan is worried about China, but not enough to change its constitution
William Hobart is Lowy Institute International Security intern and an AIIA NSW Councillor. Japanese policy-makers are alarmed about China, but they still struggle to channel this…
Pivot to Asia has not fallen off its axis
Commentary
Pivot to Asia has not fallen off its axis
In this piece for the Australian, Lowy Institute Nonresident Fellow Alan Dupont examines President Obama's absence from APEC and the East Asia Summit in the context of…
Is Japan alarmed by China's rise?
The FT's Gideon Rachman on Japan's security fears (emphasis mine):  Abe’s radicalism is not driven solely by domestic economics. Japan has also been jolted into action by the…
Fleet review good start, now for Defence
Commentary
Fleet review good start, now for Defence
In this article for The Australian, James Brown and Rory Medcalf assess Australia's readiness to face the changing strategic circumstances in the Indo-Pacific.James Brown ,…
Rubbery figures: Chinese military R&D
Dennis Blasko is a Senior Research Scientist in China Studies for CNA Analysis & Solutions. Senior Research Scientist, China Studies Senior Research Scientist, China Studies For…
China's really big military R&D effort
The scale of China's military research and development effort has been underestimated in the open source literature, perhaps by as much as 50%, says Associate Professor Tai Ming…
Fixing Australia’s incredible defence policy
Analyses
Fixing Australia’s incredible defence policy
Australia’s new government must make tough decisions in defence policy. Australia’s broad national interests and the challenging strategic environment in Indo-Pacific Asia make it…
Why does defence spending rise and fall?
Lots of reasons, as you would expect. Shifting priorities: societies make choices about what matters to them most, and Western countries increasingly value social welfare…