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
DPRK: China pressure is the key
Responding to Sam Roggeveen's post and the question he poses to me: I think the best way to increase the costs to North Korea of its present course of action (and not only over…
Australia's Julia Gillard: China bound
Commentary
Australia's Julia Gillard: China bound
In this article on The Diplomat's Flashpoints blog, Rory Medcalf discusses what to expect from Prime Minister Gillard's trip to China.Rory Medcalf
Korea: The perverse logic of crisis
Malcolm Cook is quite right to say that Pyongyang's belligerence should not be rewarded with calls for compromise, and he's also right that shows of solidarity among South Korea…
Grading Australia-Indonesia defence relations: Good, but could do better
Defence Minister Stephen Smith and Foreign Minister Bob Carr have been in Jakarta this week for the annual 2-2 Australia-Indonesia talks. It was a business-as-usual dialogue, with…
Korean Peninsula: Holding firm
As  Rory Medcalf suggested in his contribution, the reactions of countries threatened by North Korea's latest nuclear-tipped bombast are playing out better than in previous…
Korean War II? Maybe, but not likely
Are we headed for a new Korean War? Not just skirmishes, sabre-rattling or a torpedo in the night, but a full-blown armed conflict on the Korean Peninsula? You would be…
DPRK 'almost ready' to deploy ICBM?
Yesterday on Radio National, Foreign Minister Bob Carr said the following about North Korea: In terms of military intelligence, it appears the country is almost ready to…
North Korea's permanent war footing
When your country is always on a war footing, how do you know you are on the brink of war? When your political leadership and government propaganda constantly remind that your…
Manila's South China Sea gambit
Commentary
Manila's South China Sea gambit
In this article on The Diplomat's Flashpoints blog, Rory Medcalf looks at the implications of the Philippines' legal challenge to China on the South China Sea under the…
Did Australia withdraw from SEATO?
Marty Harris is the Lowy Institute's Assistant Digital Editor. In response to Malcolm Cook's post on Zombie-like international institutions, we received the following comment on…