BLUF

Australia’s strategic environment is shaped by regional power shifts, economic interdependence, and security challenges. Key factors include US-China tensions, Indo-Pacific stability, defence alliances, and climate-related security risks impacting national resilience and military strategy.

ARTICLES

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED:

  • Political Legitimacy and the People's Liberation Army | RAND     The RAND report examines how the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) evolving political legitimacy—from revolutionary charisma to economic prosperity and national populism—has influenced the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) development and performance. It explores potential future legitimacy scenarios and their implications for the PLA and U.S. Department of Defense.
  • Ukraine: How North Korean soldiers are operating in Russia’s war | CNN     North Korea has deployed approximately 11,000 soldiers to support Russia in its war against Ukraine. These troops, primarily from elite special operations units, are disguised as Russian soldiers and carry fake IDs. Despite facing heavy casualties, they have demonstrated high levels of training, discipline, and motivation, providing them with practical combat experience against Western weaponry.
  •  First Friend - Malcolm Knox -- Allen & Unwin - 9781761470431 - Allen & Unwin - Australia:  A darkly comedic thriller set in Stalinist Russia, where a father struggles to protect his family amid political paranoia. A gripping satire on survival, loyalty, and the absurdity of totalitarian rule.

AUSTRALIA:     Australia's strategic position provides access to Indo-Pacific trade routes, supports regional security, and strengthens alliances, particularly with the US. Its vast resources and stable governance enhance global economic and diplomatic influence.    500 years later, are we any wiser? Australia’s search for regional security | Lowy Institute

ELECTRONIC WARFARE:     Electronic warfare (EW) disrupts, degrades, or manipulates enemy communications, radar, and sensors using jamming, deception, cyberattacks, and electromagnetic spectrum dominance.

INFORMATION WARFARE/CYBER:     Information warfare integrates cyber operations, psychological tactics, and disinformation to manipulate perceptions and disrupt adversaries. Cyber warfare targets critical infrastructure, intelligence systems, and communications to weaken state capabilities and erode public trust.

CHINA: China's military strategy emphasizes regional dominance, asymmetric warfare, and technological advancement. The PLA prioritizes cyber, space, and naval capabilities while preparing for potential conflicts over Taiwan and South China Sea sovereignty.

REST OF THE WORLD: Australia’s security, economy, and global influence depend on staying informed. Adapting to geopolitical shifts, technological advances, and regional developments ensures strategic resilience, economic competitiveness, and effective diplomacy in an interconnected world.

MENTAL/PHYSICAL

READ WEB PAGE: Logical Fallacies/Critical Thinking - Thou shalt not commit logical fallacies    A comprehensive guide to identifying and avoiding logical fallacies. Essential for critical thinking, debate, and evaluating arguments, it helps users recognise flawed reasoning and improve their analytical skills in discussions.

 WATCH  The Death of Stalin (2017):     A dark political satire depicting the chaos following Stalin’s sudden death in 1953. Soviet leaders scramble for power amid paranoia, betrayal, and absurdity. Blending history with comedy, the film offers a sharp critique of totalitarianism.

LISTEN:  Dual Use Deception: How Technology Shapes Cooperation in International Relations - War on the Rocks:  A discussion on how dual-use technologies influence global diplomacy. Jane Vaynman and Tristan Volpe analyse their award-winning research on technology’s role in shaping international cooperation.

LISTEN: 10 Conflicts to Watch – Foreign Policy: Comfort Ero, CEO of the International Crisis Group, details the 2025 global conflict outlook. From Sudan to Ukraine, she explores why crises persist and potential solutions for global stability.

 LISTEN: I Spy - An FP Podcast: A gripping espionage story detailing Mossad’s failed assassination attempt on Hamas leader Khaled Mashal in Jordan. The mission’s failure had significant political and intelligence consequences.

LISTEN: Brain implants, agentic AI and answers on dark matter: what to expect from science in 2025 – podcast: Experts discuss upcoming breakthroughs in AI, neuroscience, and physics, exploring brain implants, autonomous AI, and dark matter’s mysteries, shaping scientific advancements in 2025.

LISTEN AUDIO BOOK: Judgement at Tokyo: World War II on Trial and the Making of Modern Asia - Pan Macmillan Australia