by Marcus Hellyer | May 28, 2024 | Defence Budget, Policy, Strategy & Capability
These questions are based on the information contained in the 2024 National Defence Statement (NDS), 2024 Integrated Investment Program (IIP) and 2024-25 Defence portfolio budget statements (PBS). Note: In this essay, ‘this year’ refers to the 2024-25 budget year....
by Michael Shoebridge | Apr 24, 2023 | China, Defence Budget, Strategy & Capability, Uncategorized
While there’s only a single paragraph devoted to it down on page 23, it’s clear that the Defence Strategic Review and the billions of dollars the government will spend on Defence over the next ten years is all about grappling with Chinese power in the Indo Pacific....
by Graeme Dobell | Jul 9, 2026 | Featured, Policy
When Australia had something like a monoculture, it rested on a firm foundation. Trouble was, that foundation was racist, even if that old culture wasn’t truly mono, whatever its monotony. You have to dig deep to find any mention of a “monoculture” in the politics of...
by Michael Shoebridge | Jul 7, 2026 | China, Featured, South Pacific, Strategy & Capability
Right now, unfortunately, Australia is writing security cheques for itself and the South Pacific it can’t cash. That’s the real message behind two major security developments in the Pacific this week. On the day that Australian diplomats were celebrating getting...
by Michael Shoebridge | Jul 2, 2026 | Featured, Policy, Strategy & Capability
So, Minister Pat Conroy has released the Australian government’s “new” 2026 Defence Industry Development Strategy, after giving us the highly unsuccessful 2024 version.Unfortunately, the 2026 strategy is a rehash of the 2024 approach, which Mr Conroy has...
by Ewen Levick | Jul 1, 2026 | AUKUS, Defence Budget, Featured, Policy, Strategy & Capability
In a recent article, I argued that whilst nuclear-powered submarines are powerful platforms, there are many important things they can’t do, like shoot down drones or remove sea mines (which Iran used to close the strait of Hormuz). SSNs are extremely expensive tools...
by Graeme Dobell | Jun 29, 2026 | Featured, Policy
The mail arrives, yet the world spins awry. The global rules-based order, which has underpinned Australia’s security and prosperity for decades, is in transition. The end state is difficult to predict. While there will be elements of continuity, the coming decade will...
by Ewen Levick | Jun 22, 2026 | AUKUS, Defence Budget, Featured, Strategy & Capability
Three months ago, I asked how many American nuclear-powered submarines it would take to open the Strait of Hormuz. For the record, the US has around 52. Some called this question ridiculous. It seems the point flew over their heads. Of course the question is...
by Marcus Hellyer and Michael Shoebridge | Jun 21, 2026 | AUKUS, China, Featured, Podcasts, Policy
Unaccountable rises: A Defence leadership Trifecta | RSS.com Marcus and Michael each pick their three stand out takeaways from Australian Defence officials testimony about delivery and performance to the Parliament. It’s hard to pick winners in a field like...
by Graeme Dobell and Marcus Hellyer | Jun 15, 2026 | China, Featured, Indo Pacific, Podcasts, Policy, Strategy & Capability
America in Asia: a very different Hegesth to 2025 | RSS.com In Grumpy Strategists episode 74, Marcus talks to SAA’s man in Singapore, Graeme Dobell, about the dynamics and developments on show at the annual Defence ministers’ gathering in Singapore’s...
by Graeme Dobell | Jun 9, 2026 | China, Featured, Indo Pacific, Policy, Strategy & Capability
“The situation of our time Surrounds us like a baffling crime. There lies the body half-undressed, Until the mystery is solved And under lock and key the cause That makes a nonsense of our laws.” W.H.Auden, January 1, 1940 A mystery of our time is what the United...
by Graeme Dobell | Jun 5, 2026 | China, Featured, Indo Pacific
“The Asia-Pacific can no longer be classified as fully at peace.” from IISS’ Asia-Pacific Regional Security Assessment 2026 That Asia is no longer fully at peace is the first sentence in the annual security report by the International...
