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
Chuck Hagel and the Asia pivot
This morning's announcement of Chuck Hagel as President Obama's nominee for Secretary of Defense elicited predictable outrage over Hagel's judgment on Israel. Congressional…
India and China: competitive coexistence in the Asian Century
Analyses
India and China: competitive coexistence in the Asian Century
In this book chapter, the Lowy Institute’s Rory Medcalf and Ashley Townshend examine the factors that are likely to influence the strategic dynamic of the China-India…
Australia place in the Asian century
Analyses
Australia place in the Asian century
In this extended article for The Diplomat, the Lowy Institute’s Rory Medcalf examines the aspirations and the omissions of the Australia’s Government’s October…
Pirates and privateers: managing the Indian Ocean private security boom
Analyses
Pirates and privateers: managing the Indian Ocean private security boom
The fight against Somali-based pirates is becoming a private battle as global defence cuts reduce naval counter-piracy deployments. Because governments have struggled to contain…
Inflection point: The Australian Defence Force after Afghanistan
Policy Briefs
Inflection point: The Australian Defence Force after Afghanistan
In every era there are inflection points which require long-established institutions to re-evaluate their goals, strategy, structure and resource allocations to ensure their…
Launch of Antarctica Policy Brief
Policy Briefs
Launch of Antarctica Policy Brief
In the Food for Thought event in Canberra on 8 August 2011, National Security Fellow Ellie Fogarty launched a report that analyses what Australia’s national interests in…
Antarctica: Assessing and protecting Australia national interests
Policy Briefs
Antarctica: Assessing and protecting Australia national interests
Long-term threats to Australia’s dormant claim to 42 per cent of Antarctica include growing interest in the continent’s resource potential from such major powers as China and…
Dangerous luxuries
Analyses
Dangerous luxuries
The ANZUS alliance is emerging as an important alliance for stability in the Asia-Pacific region but the US must understand the implications Australian defence planning will have…
In remembrance of India’s nuclear and strategic guru
Analyses
In remembrance of India’s nuclear and strategic guru
In this obituary essay in Foreign Policy magazine, Lowy Institute International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf pays tribute to K Subrahmanyam, independent India’s leading…
Dropping the autopilot: improving Australia defence diplomacy
Policy Briefs
Dropping the autopilot: improving Australia defence diplomacy
Australia’s military forces have often acted as effective agents of international policy. But while defence diplomacy has complemented Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade…