China's aircraft carrier Liaoning operates beyond the Second Island Chain, marking a significant expansion of its naval capabilities and raising concerns over increased military reach into the Western Pacific

India adopts a doctrine of calibrated military retaliation against cross-border terrorism, challenging Pakistan's nuclear deterrence and signalling a shift towards proactive defence measures without triggering full-scale war.

Australia’s approach is through security and institutional partnerships; New Zealand via diplomatic ties and visa waivers. NZ faces diplomatic tensions with Kiribati and Cook Islands. The Pacific Island Forum could be a potential mediating body.

The aircraft completed eighty-nine missions without losing any crew. Its Memorial return reconnects Australians with a powerful symbol of resilience and sacrifice—its preservation ensures new generations experience living reminders of history and collective memory.

The USAF recently conducted an exercise in which AI was used to recommend targets to speed up military decision-making and reduce cognitive load on humans. It found human judgement was complementary to what was machine-generated.

On June 5, 2025, Ukraine executed “Operation Spiderweb”. Using low-cost, AI-enabled drones smuggled into Russian airbases via covert methods, more than 40 Russian aircraft were reportedly damaged or destroyed, exposing vulnerabilities in Russia’s air-defence systems.

Gregory Poling contends China’s coercive actions in the South China Sea—once effective—now fail to intimidate ASEAN states. Pushback has grown via diplomacy, modernization, and alliances; shifting the regional strategic balance

The cost of redeveloping PNG’s Lombrum Naval Base has inflated to AUD 500 million, exceeding initial budgets. The upgrades—intended to enhance regional maritime capability—now raise concerns about financial oversight and long-term sustainability.

The US drone crashed after a critical propeller ring failed—highlighting risks of mechanical fatigue and the challenges of preventing early component wear in advanced unmanned systems. The drone hadn’t reached its scheduled overhaul time.

“Study Mode” aims to shift students from passive chatbot use toward more interactive, question-driven learning while addressing concerns about rising academic dishonesty. Recent studies suggest increased use of AI may lead to shallower understanding.