Tag Archive for: Defence Policy

Sir Lawrence Freedman on the delusions that plague war planners

Wars are easy to start, hard to end and are often launched with political goals that are loftier than the planning and capabilities that are committed. In today’s episode, Sir Lawrence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies at King’s College London, talks about the “short war fallacy” and why strategists keep planning for quick victories when long and costly conflicts are demonstrably the norm.

Lawrence discusses Putin’s misjudged invasion of Ukraine, the way forward—and significant obstacles—for Kyiv, Moscow and Washington, other long conflicts around the globe including those in Africa and what Xi Jinping might be thinking about Taiwan.

He explains how mass remains a key factor in warfare, and the ways in which new technology and old realities converge to create layers in modern warfighting. He caps off with some thoughts on nuclear strategy and the recent flareup between India and Pakistan.

You can read Lawrence’s recent Foreign Affairs Article, “The Age of Forever Wars: Why Minister Strategy No Longer Delivers Victory”.

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And read his substack here.

AUKUS, industry and public support with Sophia Gaston and Eric Chewning

In this episode of Stop the World, we bring you the final interview from our special series recorded from the sidelines of the ASPI Defence Conference ‘JoiningFORCES’. And today it’s all about AUKUS.

ASPI’s Director of The Sydney Dialogue, Dr. Alex Caples, is joined by Sophia Gaston, Head of Foreign Policy at Policy Exchange, and Eric Chewning, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Development at HII.

Alex, Sophia and Eric reflect on the progress that has been made on AUKUS, the role of industry in ensuring AUKUS succeeds, and the ongoing challenges such as workforce. The conversation also focuses on political and public support for AUKUS, which has been made even more timely by this week’s UK election, and the looming presidential and congressional elections in the United States.

Mentioned in this episode: The AUKUS goal: balancing power in the region, by Justin Bassi

Guests:

⁠Alex Caples⁠

⁠Sophia Gaston⁠

⁠Eric Chewning

Defence innovation and investment with Heather Richman and Linda Lourie

This week on Stop the World, we bring you a special episode from the sidelines of the ASPI Defence Conference ‘JoiningFORCES’. In this first episode of a short series, ASPI’s Director of Defence Strategy and National Security, Bec Shrimpton, speaks to defence innovation and investment experts Heather Richman and Linda Lourie.

They discuss defence innovation and opportunities for the government to work with the private sector to achieve national security outcomes. They also consider how the investment landscape has changed in the United States, including increased willingness from entrepreneurs to invest in national security.

About the guests:

Heather Richman is founder of the Defense Investor Network in the US, and has held a wide array of roles at the intersection of national security, technology, and investment—including at Stanford University and on Capitol Hill.

Linda Lourie is a Principal with WestExec Advisors. She is also a Principal with the Washington Circle Advisory Group, LLC, and a Member of the U.S. Export-Import Bank’s Advisory Subcommittee on Strategic Competition with the People’s Republic of China. Linda has previously held senior roles in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and in the Defense Innovation Unit.

Bec is Director Defence Strategy and National Security at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. Bec has over 20 years experience in policy, operational and corporate roles in the Australian Department of Defence and DFAT. She has served as senior adviser Major Powers to Australia’s Foreign Minister, and led trade and investment in the defence and space sectors in Austrade.

Unpacking Australia’s new defence strategy

This week on Stop the World, Senior ASPI Analyst Euan Graham is joined by retired Major General Andrew Bottrell AO, who was previously Head of Land Systems at Defence, alongside ASPI’s Director of Defence Strategy & National Security Bec Shrimpton to discuss the newly released National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Program.

What is a National Defence Strategy and an Integrated Investment Program and why do we need them? Euan, Andrew and Bec explain the rationale behind the NDS and IIP and share their immediate responses to the two documents – what impressed them and where they see the risks and challenges as the Government looks to implement them.

Mentioned in this episode:
ASPI report: Regional security and Pacific partnerships: Recuriting Pacific Islanders into the Australian Defence Force
National Defence Strategy
Integrated Investment Program

Guests:
Euan Graham
Major General (Ret’d) Andrew Bottrell AO
Bec Shrimpton

Tag Archive for: Defence Policy

International Women’s Day 2025: Women in Conflict, Protest and Diplomacy

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1000 Days: Reflections on Russia’s war on Ukraine and the path forward

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JoiningFORCES: The 2024 ASPI Defence Conference

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ASPI DC: In Conversation with Dr Arzan Tarapore

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Women in Defence and Security Network Speed Mentoring

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Disruption and Deterrence: The 2023 ASPI Conference

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ASPI WDSN Women in National Security Networking

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Tag Archive for: Defence Policy

Policy in the Pub

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May Policy in the Pub

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Policy in the Pub – March 2024

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Fireside chat with Pat Conroy and Bec Shrimpton

On 6 December 2023, Bec Shrimpton, ASPI’s Director of Defence Strategy and National Security participated in AMCHAM’s ‘Meet the Minister: Business Luncheon’ featuring the Hon Pat Conroy MP, Minister for Defence Industry and Minister for International Development and the Pacific.

After the Minister delivered his address at the event, Bec and Minister Conroy sat down for a fireside chat. The discussion covered a diverse range of topics including AUKUS, the upcoming Defence Industry Development Strategy and the role of Australian sovereign industry capability within it, how Australian industry can better access Defence grants and contracts, the improvements needed to achieve greater agility, certainty and performance in defence acquisition, as well as defence innovation. The Minister took a range of questions and also discussed Australia’s unique engagement advantages and responsibilities in the Pacific, including the importance of sports diplomacy.

Defence Industrial Capability Plan launched

The Hon Christopher Pyne, Minister for Defence Industry, today launched the new Defence Industrial Capability plan.

The plan outlines the opportunities for Australian industry to engage with the Government and strengthen Australia’s defence capabilities through the development of native industrial capability, infrastructure and innovation. 

A video of the launch can be viewed here.

Australia’s cyberspace policy

Australia is renewing its push for new rules governing how nations deal with each other in cyberspace.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has launched the government’s three-year International Cyber Engagement Strategy.

In this video, Beverley O’Connor of ABC’s “The World” program speaks to Fergus Hanson, head of the International Cyber Policy Centre at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. 

http://www.abc.net.au/news/programs/the-world/2017-10-04/australia-cyberspace-policy/9016844