Australia is currently experiencing the greatest period of strategic uncertainty since World War Two. With conflict in the Middle East, Russia’s illegal war on Ukraine, and increasingly coercive influence behaviour from China in the Indo-Pacific region, the strategic stability that underpinned Indo-Pacific security and prosperity has eroded. 

The Australian Strategic Policy Institute is pleased to announce that Abraham M. Denmark, Senior Advisor at The Asia Group, and former Senior Advisor to the US Secretary of Defense for AUKUS, will join us for a discussion exploring the strategic relevance of AUKUS, why the trilateral partnership was founded and how it is tracking, and its role in deterrence and strategic stability in the Indo-Pacific.

In his previous role as Senior Advisor to US Secretary of Defense, Abe led and coordinated the Department of Defense’s efforts to develop and implement the AUKUS partnership with Australia and the United Kingdom, and was a key architect of the Optimal Pathway for Australia to acquire conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines. Abe has extensive regional experience and has been in senior policy positions in the Pentagon responsible for the US' regional relationships. 

This event will feature a fireside chat with Bec Shrimpton, ASPI’s Director of Defence Strategy and National Security. Together, they will look at the fundamental ‘why’ of AUKUS, its key benefits and risks. The conversation will extend to regional security dynamics and evolving architecture, situating the Australia-United States alliance, AUKUS and other vital regional relationships and arrangements within the context of current geopolitics. 

Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in a Q&A session, providing a chance to explore these topics further. For those attending in person, light refreshments will be provided during a networking reception after the event.

Click here to register online.