Strategic Spotter Blog
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LHDs risk our Indonesia relations
For decades now, Australia has managed to remain the dominant military power south of China and east of India without provoking any major Indonesian response.
Has Asia’s power balance really shifted?
As China rises, how far and how fast is Asia's power balance shifting?
Why the South China Sea matters
I was somewhat surprised to read Brendan Taylor's matter-of-fact statement that the South China Sea isn't really a vital interest for any of Asia's great powers, except perhaps for China.
Asia-Pacific theatre Putin’s new stage
Earlier this month, Vladimir Putin scored a clear victory in the first round of presidential elections, securing more than 63 per cent of the Russian vote.
We’ve lost the battle for hearts and minds
The murder of 16 Afghan civilians by a lone US soldier in Afghanistan this week is a tragic incident, which destroys the fundamental principles upon which this population-centric war is being fought.
R2P and Syria: Avoiding collateral damage
We are in danger of drawing the wrong conclusions from the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Syria.
Stephen Smith’s Super Hornet itch
I have said that the Super Hornet is an obvious option so far as any filling of a gap in capability is concerned.
Timor-Leste: Everybody needs good neighbours
Early in 2010, Afghan President Hamid Karzai was sitting in Kabul with some diplomats who had served in Indonesia and Timor-Leste.
On Kevin as Foreign Minister
by Graeme Dobell Before the political firestorm consumes every ounce of oxygen in Canberra, let’s consider Kevin Rudd’s foreign policy performance. As Foreign Minister, his work rate was prodigious. The ambition nearly as high. The self-confidence and the sense of conviction never flagged. The intensity was undoubted; only the ultimate intent was [...]
Afghan a game of Russian roulette
THE US-led International Security Assistance Force has set a deadline to conclude the campaign in Afghanistan.
