The Iran war: Australia joins the “Coalescing of the Partly Willing”

by Marcus Hellyer and Michael Shoebridge | Mar 10, 2026 | Featured, Podcasts, Strategy & Capability

A less needy more capable Australia – recognising the new American reality for allies

by Michael Shoebridge | Mar 5, 2026 | Featured, Policy

It’s time to notice big changes in our world when it comes to how Australia equips its military and spends the $59 billion annual defence budget.  As ministers Marles and Conroy put the finishing touches to their brand new National Defence Strategy, they also...

Iran War: bad guys, rose petals and donuts – Trump tries for the Big Maduro

by Marcus Hellyer and Michael Shoebridge | Mar 4, 2026 | Featured, Podcasts, Policy, Strategy & Capability

Iran War: bad guys, rose petals and donuts – Trump | RSS.com Marcus and Michael reflect on their wisdom in modifying the Grumpies bunker to hold thousands of litres of diesel and 8 pallets of tinned tomatoes, as the war escalates in the Middle East. They set out...

History and Service tradition relevant to a modern military? Apparently they’re just costly and counterproductive….

by Michael Shoebridge | Feb 13, 2026 | Defence Budget, Policy

You know a family is in trouble when they start flogging off the furniture to fund their lifestyle.  First, it’s bits of the family silver and grandad’s stamp collection, then the holiday house. But as the trouble deepens, it’s mum’s jewels and then the family home....

Australia’s Defence budget: a sugar hit followed by a $2.6 billion cut. Take that, Mr Trump, sir!

by Marcus Hellyer and Michael Shoebridge | Feb 10, 2026 | Defence Budget, Featured, Podcasts

Australia’s defence budget update: a sugar hit fol | RSS.com The Grumpy Strategists pan for gold in 234 pages of dense, incoherent Government paperwork setting out the Albanese Government’s revised plans for our nation’s defence, and find some rather...