Centre of Gravity series
Australia and the challenges of weapons of mass destruction
Australia, like all nations, has an over-riding national interest in the development and enforcement of robust international regimes that restrict the creation, deployment and export of weapons of mass destruction.
The ANZUS Alliance in an Ascending Asia
The Alliance between the United States and Australia (ANZUS) is currently thriving; but no alliance should ever be taken for granted, especially during periods of major structural change such as that now transpiring in Asia. This paper presents a candid audit of ANZUS, comparing and contrasting United States and Australian expectations of the Alliance.
Asia’s Strategic Challenge: Manoeuvring between the US and China
This paper by Singapore’s Ambassador-at-large Bilahari Kausikan was the inaugural Shedden Lecture in Strategy and Defence. It artfully describes the tension regional countries face and advocates a posture of flexibility and independence.
Unlocking the Japan-ROK Relationship: The Key is National Identity
In 2015 the Japan-ROK relationship seems at near rock-bottom. This presents fundamental challenges to the US rebalance strategy and threatens to undermine the security and stability US allies rely on. This new COG paper by two of America’s leading Asia scholars is drawn from their newly released book on the relationship.
A Strategy towards Indonesia
This special Centre of Gravity paper features three contributions on Indonesia and its changing relationship with Australia and the world. Evelyn Goh, Greg Fealy and Ristian Atriandi Supriyanto examine the changes in Indonesian foreign policy under President Joko Widodo and pressing challenges such as terrorism and maritime security cooperation.
The A Word: An Accomodationist strategy for US-China relations
Many predictions have been made that the United States and China will find themselves in competition or even direct conflict. Yet this is not pre-ordained and both sides need to be careful not to talk themselves into a hostile relationship.
Escalation in Northeast Asia: A strategic challenge for Australia
Even if the leaders of China and Japan can lessen the significant political tensions between North Asia’s two biggest powers, the East China Sea dispute could still spark a bilateral war which might also bring in the United States. Robert Ayson and Desmond Ball examine the possible escalation of conflict between China and Japan and the implications for Australia and the US.
Defence Diplomacy: Is the game worth the candle?
Few Defence topics have been as prominent or invested with as much optimism in recent years as defence diplomacy. This special Centre of Gravity paper has been created to explore the issue and help guide policymakers. It features contributions from 6 authors including Brendan Taylor, John Blaxland, Hugh White, Nick Bisley, Peter Leahy and See Seng Tan.
The Geopolitical Implications of Russia's Invasion of the Ukraine
Russia's invasion of Ukraine's Crimea territory in March 2014 has raised serious questions about the end of the post Cold War era. the spectacle of Russian troops ignoring the sovereignty of Ukraine's borders and annexing Crimea has taken us back to a world long forgotten - particularly in Europe.
What the next Defence White Paper should do about the budget
Sir Arthur Tange’s maxim is simple and prophetic. For many its wisdom was clearly evident at the release of the last Australian Defence White Paper in 2013; a document that skimmed over budget issues in less than two pages. Yet Tange’s adage also applies in reverse – funding without a strategy is not strategy.
