This report, authored by Mark Thomson, looks at demographics and security from an Australian perspective.The economic and demographic transition of countries from poverty to prosperity has been a driving force of history over the past two centuries, and is set to rem...

This year the Rudd government will issue a counter-terrorism white paper. In the preparation of the new white paper, this Policy Analysis, authored by Anthony Bergin, examines what Australia can learn from the UK approach with respect to domestic counter ext...

Following the response to the 2020 Summit’s recommendations, the Rudd government has agreed to establish a Deployable Civilian Capacity (DCC) for the rapid deployment of civilian experts to assist in international disaster relief, stabilisation and post-conflict reconstruction efforts.

This Policy An...

This Policy Analysis, authored by Dr Anthony Bergin, examines the political situation in Fiji following a Presidential announcement last Friday which abolished the constitution, assumed all governing power and revoked all judicial appointments. He examines international reactions to the coup and outlines options for...

This Policy Analysis, authored by Andrew Davies, examines China's latest paper in its series of biennial Defence White Paper.

While still guarded in many respects, the White Paper exhibits greater transparency than some of its predecessors, something the West has been requesting. But more tra...

Australia claims jurisdiction over more of the earth than any other country—around 27.2 million square kilometres or 5% of the planet, ahead of Russia and the US. Of this, our maritime domain is around 4% of the planet’s oceans. This Strategy, authored by Sam Bateman and Anthony Bergin,...

This Policy Analysis, authored by Rod Lyon and Kellie Kayser, assesses how much change we are seeing in US strategic policy under the new administration in Washington.

President Obama has already begun a campaign to ‘renew’ American global leadership after the Bush years. He has been expl...

Since its inception, the internet has been used by terrorist groups around the world to disseminate propaganda and tradecraft materials. But as the internet has evolved in recent years, it is being used more and more as a...

North Korea, marginalised as an issue in recent years by a host of other problems, looks likely to return to the forefront of international concern in 2009. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has already noted that North Korea might be sliding—much earlier than expected&...

The Almanac, authored by Raspal Khosa, is a unique publication that brings together a wealth of information across the full-range of Defence activity in a single, easy-to-use reference source. It is an up-to-date, fact-filled resource that places otherwise difficult to find Defence information at the reader’s ...

The 1.5 Track Security Dialogue is an initiative of ASPI and the Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA). It aims to assist the two governments to address and explore, through frank and sustained exchanges, their respective policy approaches and options on global, regional and local security issues.

Pa...

This report of an Independent Task Force examines the contribution that business can make to Australian disaster management. The Task Force makes a number of important recommendations to integrate the private sector into our disaster response capabilities.

Task Force members were Anthony Bergin, Alex Candetti,...

This report examines the utility of employing cost-benefit analysis for measuring national counter-terrorism expenditures. In a period of global financial turmoil and economic uncertainty, governments need better metrics and more rigorous assessment tools for national security planning.

The report, authored by...

Armed forces around the world are making increasing use of part-time personnel to sustain operational deployments and to deliver levels of capability beyond those possible with their full-time forces.

The report, written by Andrew Davies and Hugh Smith, argues that some changes could help the ADF Reserve forc...

This Policy Analysis, authored by Rod Lyon and Christine Leah, examines the current debate over what sort of great power China is likely to become.  It looks at Chinese grand strategy, use of force, leadership style and domestic behaviour to gain a better understanding of China’s future role as a strategi...

This Policy Analysis, authored by Anthony Bergin, discusses the new Asia Pacific Civil-Military Centre of Excellence which will open in Queanbeyan in November. It will focus on bringing a range of agencies together to develop practical contributions to stabilisation, reconstruction and peacekeeping. The Centre ...

Australia and Papua New Guinea have a close relationship. A change in government in Australia and the recent re-election of Sir Michael Somare provide an opportunity for reassessment and readjustment to restore a more productive interaction between the two countries.

This report, written by Ronald May, conside...

Australia is one of the US’s closest allies, and its interest in America’s role in the world is both direct and immediate. Regardless of who wins the election,the US is not about to disengage from the world. Still, there are possibilities for important shifts in US strategic behaviour.

‘Alte...

This paper traces the public’s changing views of the main issues relating to defence and security over an extended period. Authored by Professor Ian McAllister, it identifies three key views of the public on defence and security. ASPI contributors include Carl Ungerer, Rod Lyon and Andrew Davies.

T...

Indonesia has changed markedly in the recent past and has become a more democratic and pluralist country.

The report, authored by Professor Andrew MacIntyre and Dr Douglas E Ramage, urges Australia to understand the new stable landscape of Indonesia. It makes a number of specific policy recommendations includi...

The paper, authored by Raspal Khosa, argues that Australia’s security interests are tied to the success of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission. The paper advances three key recommendations on how to increase the effectiveness of Australia’s commitment at little additional cost. Fir...