Zen and the Art of Defence investment: big numbers for everyone – Episode 70

by Marcus Hellyer and Michael Shoebridge | May 1, 2026 | Featured, Podcasts, Strategy & Capability

Zen and the Art of Defence investment: big numbers | RSS.com A Zen temple helps Marcus seek balance between the contradictions in Australia’s defence Strategy, while Michael struggles with a noisy kettle in the bunker. Australia’s new Defence Secretary...

Australia’s brand new, but old, Defence plan: a strategy of denial – that the world has changed

by Marcus Hellyer and Michael Shoebridge | Apr 17, 2026 | AUKUS, Defence Budget, Featured, Podcasts, Policy, Strategy & Capability

The Grumpy Strategists cover Australia’s new defen | RSS.com The Grumpy Strategists respond to Australia’s defence minister, Richard Marles, discussing and releasing the ‘new’ 2026 Defence Strategy and investment plan. Marcus sees the spirit of...

Australia’s National Defence Strategy: Canberra is yet to have its Carney moment

by Marcus Hellyer | Apr 17, 2026 | Defence Budget, Featured, Policy, Strategy & Capability, Uncategorized

There’s something very familiar about the Albanese government’s new 2026 National Defence Strategy, launched yesterday by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles. It continues the trajectory first set out in the previous Coalition government’s 2020...

The 2026 National Defence Strategy & investment plan: The world has changed – but Australia’s defence plans haven’t

by Michael Shoebridge | Apr 16, 2026 | Defence Budget, Featured, Indo Pacific, Policy, Strategy & Capability

Having read the 215 pages of the Australian Government’s revised strategy and investment plan, two things stand out as particularly important.  The first is the almost complete absence of engagement with the changed America that is now our major ally. ...

Trump’s FY27 budget: $1.5 trillion for the Pentagon, $33bn for the State Department. Peace through missiles?

by Marcus Hellyer | Apr 10, 2026 | AUKUS, China, Defence Budget, Featured, Policy, Strategy & Capability

Since my planned birdwatching trip to western New South Wales was cancelled due the current fuel crisis temporary supply uncertainties caused by unpatriotic Australians panic buying and I didn’t want to spend Easter solely doomscrolling conducting deep research into...