ASPI Publications

Special Report Issue 16 - Public opinion in Australia towards defence, security and terrorism

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

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.

The paper builds on previous ASPI publications Attitude Matters: Public opinion in Australia towards defence and security and Representative Views: Mass and elite opinion on Australian security also authored by Ian McAllister.

An all-hazards approach to national security: Preparing for and responding to threats to Australian agriculture by Carl Ungerer

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

This Policy Analysis, authored by Carl Ungerer, examines current threats to the Australian agricultural sector from either a deliberate or accidental disease outbreak.

Nuclear disarmament and its limits by Rod Lyon

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

This Policy Analysis,authored by Dr Rod Lyon, explores the broad issue of nuclear weapons and their role in the international security environment.

Strategic Insight 42 - Asian military trends and their implications for Australia

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Australia's military capability edge in the Asian region has been facilitated by a relative economic advantage that is now eroding. Asian militaries are now expanding and acquiring sophisticated capabilities. This paper, authored by Andrew Davies, examines the drivers of this trend and looks at the implications for Australia.

Tangled webs: Security architectures in Asia

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The report, authored by William Tow, presents a broad overview of regional security architectures and a guide for Australian policy makers on how to advance Australia’s national interest in the coming years. The suggestions include how Australia’s engagement with Asia must continue to mesh with its engagement with the US and a number of steps the government could take as it seeks to pursue its vision of an Asia–Pacific community by 2020.

Man-Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS): Countering the Terrorist Threat

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

This report, a product of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, was prepared in collaboration with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. Andrew Davies was the project manager for ASPI. It is available on the DFAT website.

Neighbourhood watch: The evolving terrorist threat in Southeast Asia

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The regional terrorist threat remains high on the list of Australia's national security priorities. It is time to take stock of the regional security environment and to ask how the Southeast Asian terrorist threat might evolve in the future. This report, authored by Peter Chalk and Carl Ungerer, analyses the changing nature of religious militancy and sets out a framework for understanding the forces and trends that are driving jihadist extremism in the region. A number of policy recommendations are made on the appropriate next steps in Australia's regional counter-terrorism strategy.

The publication was launched at Parliament House by The Hon Mr Robert McClelland MP. For information on the launch including the speech click here.

Strategic Insights 41 - Policing our ocean domain: Establishing an Australian coast guard

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The paper, authored by Derek Woolner, calls for the establishment of a new statutory authority, the Australian Coast Guard, out of the current Border Protection Command that is directly responsible to a Minister for the assessment of intelligence, planning and implementation of operations and future improvements to maritime border security.

The Cost of Defence: ASPI Defence budget brief 2008-2009

Thu, 29 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

This report, prepared by Mark Thomson, gives interested readers greater access to the complex workings of the Defence Budget and promotes informed debate on Defence budget issues.

Seeing Indonesia as a normal country: Implications for Australia

Tue, 27 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

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 including:

• a new approach to engagement with the military
• a geographic shift within the country of our development assistance programs
• a renewed and emphasis on supporting economic growth, poverty reduction and enhancing governance at the national and sub-national levels.

Indonesia in 2008 is a stable, competitive electoral democracy playing a constructive role in the regional and broader international community.

The publication was launched at Parliament House by The Hon Stephen Smith MP. For information on the launch including the speech click here.