Many leaders believe that employees do their best work when they are free to manage themselves; but responsibility without sufficient direction is not empowerment—it sets both managers and their teams up for failure.

The beer honours a pact between lifelong friends, preserving their bond for future generations. The beer was to be shared upon their return, but never was—one of the men died on the Thai-Burma railway.

France leverages its overseas territories, including Les TAAF, to assert strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific, enhancing its role as a resident power and aligning with partners like Australia to uphold regional stability.

The Philippines and India completed their first joint naval drills in the South China Sea, including manoeuvring, communications, and air-defence operations. The exercise underscores expanding maritime cooperation outside US sphere.

A Chinese cyberattack targeted the US National Nuclear Security Administration, exposing vulnerabilities in nuclear infrastructure. The attack underscores the need for strict cyber hygiene, access control, and incident response readiness

The APS is fostering a ‘speak up’ culture using the ‘4Cs’ behavioural framework—compassion, curiosity, candour, courage—to embed psychological and psychosocial safety across agencies, enabling mental wellbeing and organisational integrity.

Rapid artificial island expansion has transformed contested reefs into strategic hubs, reshaping regional dynamics and heightening tensions over vital sea-lanes. Some bases can host nuclear-capable bombers. Massive coral reef destruction caused by island constructions.

Living with someone who is frequently moody creates long term emotional strain, fosters unpredictability and resentment, and can normalize unhealthy emotional responses fuelled by factors like stress, health conditions, or coercive control.

Airborne autonomy offers speed, persistence and safer missions—transforming seaborne operations by combining advanced technology with existing systems to extend reach, reduce costs and strengthen decision-making in increasingly contested environments.

Some of our greatest strengths emerge in unexpected places. This article encourages reflection on talents developed outside your formal role—and how they can unlock creativity, meaning, and better leadership in professional settings.