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
JSF: Four Corners suffers turbulence
Like Sam, I had high expectations for the Four Corners report on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and was a little disappointed. To butcher Mark Twain, Four Corners may not repeat…
Reader riposte: More on Zero Dark Thirty
Gregory MacCallion, a PhD Candidate in the Department of International Relations, Australian National University, has thoughts on Zero Dark Thirty (WARNING: spoilers follow, below…
Cyber: Unclear and present danger
James Lewis is Director of the Technology and Public Policy Program at CSIS, Washington, DC. This is the first of a five-part series on the world of cyber. The focus is Asia and…
Four Corners on the Joint Strike Fighter
  I don't envy any TV reporter or producer the task of encapsulating the mammoth Joint Strike Fighter project into less than one hour of television. It's an impossible task, and…
Reader riposte: Zero Dark Thirty
Trish writes: You recently asked if anyone had a riposte for the Rolling Stone blog rave against ZDT. It was interesting but totally unsurprising that none of your regular…
Asian century is marked by rising conflict
Commentary
Asian century is marked by rising conflict
In an opinion piece in The Australian, Rory Medcalf argues that the Asian Century is increasingly being marked by inter-state tensions and strategic mistrust. This reality runs…
North Korea's nuclear test: a silver lining?
Commentary
North Korea's nuclear test: a silver lining?
In this article on The Diplomat's Flashpoints blog, Rory Medcalf looks at the silver linings surrounding North Korea's nuclear test.Rory Medcalf
PNG plans military build-up, but why?
Donald Gumbis is a Lecturer in political science at the University of Goroka and an intern at the Lowy Institute. Papua New Guinea's Defence Minister Dr Fabian Pok has announced…
North Korea's third N test: What does it mean?
John Carlson is a Visiting Fellow at the Lowy Institute and the former Director-General of the Australian Safeguards and Non-proliferation Office. From seismic analysis, it…
AQ: Obama almost declares victory
Some strikingly optimistic language about al Qaeda in Obama's State of the Union speech, which he just delivered: ...we can say with confidence that America will complete its…