Australia’s defence planning offers a valuable model for NZ’s defence plan modernisation. Warning time assessments should include economic and trade risks, noting geography affects South Pacific security. Would a joint New Zealand-Australia amphibious force increase capability?

NATO’s Secretary General has urged Europeans to increase defence spending—stating that Russian President Vladimir Putin may target other European regions—and called for a ‘wartime mindset’ due to Russia's hostile actions against NATO allies.

The term ‘brain rot’ reflects the deterioration of a person's mental state due to overconsumption of trivial online content. Its usage increased dramatically from the previous year, with the term first being recorded in 1854.

New research estimates Neanderthal-Homo sapiens mixing occurred 49,000-45,000 years ago, with Neanderthal genes shaping modern human skin pigmentation, immunity, and metabolism. Interbreeding likely occurred in the Middle East, with modern humans having 1-2% Neanderthal DNA.

The new strategy has been developed to counter uncrewed systems threats, focusing on five pillars: understanding trends, disrupting networks, protecting assets, delivering quick solutions, and integrating counter-drone capabilities in future force designs.

Australia needs to rebuild refining capacity, local manufacturing, and investing in critical industries like advanced manufacturing, shipbuilding, and alternative fuel sources to enhance resilience. The COVID-19 pandemic and fuel dependency exposed these risks.

Economic sanctions often fail to change the policies of authoritarian regimes. Sanctions can reduce food consumption and quality of life—while elites often remain insulated—and sanctions can foster nationalist solidarity.

Following Syria's 2011 uprising, Bashar al-Assad, the country’s dictator, allied with Iran, strengthening ties to Shia Muslim-majority regions. With Syria’s collapse, this alliance weakens, leaving Iran facing destabilisation and growing Chinese influence.

Part of the Integrated Investment Program, eight Landing Craft Heavy vessels will be built from 2026 in WA to support littoral manoeuvre, long-range strike, troop deployment, logistics, and disaster relief. Self-defence weapons and military communications included.

A costly stealth warship is being made much more effective by being fitted with a shipborne highly manoeuvrable hypersonic missile system (Mach 5 speeds) that enhances long-range strike capabilities.