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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
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- 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
- 50 years later, are we any wiser? Australia’s search for regional security | Lowy Institute Australia's regional security approach has evolved over 50 years, balancing alliances, regional engagement, and strategic independence. Challenges persist with China’s rise, US reliance, and Pacific stability shaping future policy directions.
ELECTRONIC WARFARE: Electronic warfare (EW) disrupts, degrades, or manipulates enemy communications, radar, and sensors using jamming, deception, cyberattacks, and electromagnetic spectrum dominance.
- Australia’s Future MC-55A Peregrine Aircraft are Now Sporting RAAF Markings During New Tests - The Aviationist The Royal Australian Air Force's MC-55A Peregrine, based on the Gulfstream G550, has been spotted with RAAF markings during recent test flights, indicating progress in enhancing Australia's ISR and EW capabilities.
- Contemporary Conflicts Demonstrate Value of Unmanned Systems in Future Warfare | AFCEA International Recent conflicts in Ukraine, Israel, and the Red Sea highlight the critical role of unmanned systems, including robotics and electronic warfare, in modern military operations, underscoring their importance in future combat scenarios.
- Rafael Demonstrates Compatibility of EW Decoy Rockets with SRBOC and 130mm Launchers - Naval News Rafael has successfully tested its electronic warfare decoy rockets with standard 130mm launchers, confirming their compatibility and enhancing naval defense capabilities against missile threats.
- PLA releases electronic warfare ‘kill list’ for US carrier groups The People's Liberation Army has published a report detailing specific U.S. naval targets, including radars and sensors, designated for electronic attacks in potential future conflicts, reflecting China's strategic focus on electronic warfare.
- 10 to 45,000 feet: US subsonic drone gets new decoy to deceive enemies The U.S. Navy is integrating the ALE-55 electronic warfare towed decoy into the BQM-34S Firebee subsonic aerial target drone, enhancing its capability to simulate enemy aircraft and missiles for training purposes.
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.
- Understanding Cyber Effects in Modern Warfare - War on the Rocks This article delves into the impact of offensive cyber operations on warfare outcomes, debating whether they are revolutionary or overhyped. It emphasizes the need for analysts to assess where, when, and how such operations can influence conflicts.
- The Denazify Lie: Russia's Use of Extremist Narratives Against Ukraine | RAND RAND's report examines Russia's deployment of extremist, hate-driven narratives in its war against Ukraine. It analyzes how these narratives spread online, their reach, and potential to incite racially or ethnically motivated violent extremism.
- The Denazify Lie: Russia's Use of Extremist Narratives Against Ukraine | RAND The USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) is the first U.S. Navy destroyer to deploy an AI-powered system, Enterprise Remote Monitoring Version 4 (ERM v4). This system predicts maintenance needs, enhancing fleet readiness and reducing unexpected equipment failures.
- Philippines launches comic to counter China’s South China Sea claims The Philippines released a 40-page comic book titled "The Stories of Teacher Jun" to counter China's disinformation about South China Sea territorial disputes. It features a teacher explaining maritime issues to students, promoting the Philippine perspective.
- China’s Thickening Information Fog: Overcoming New Challenges in Analysis - CSI This report discusses the increasing complexity of China's information environment, highlighting challenges analysts face due to enhanced censorship, propaganda, and data manipulation. It suggests methods to navigate and interpret this evolving landscape.
- “This Piece Was Written by a Machine”: Intelligence Analysis, Synthesis, and Automation - CSI The article explores the integration of automation and artificial intelligence in intelligence analysis. It discusses the benefits and challenges of machine-generated insights, emphasizing the need for human oversight to ensure accuracy and relevance.
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.
- China Dominates Global Manufacturing China has solidified its position as the world's leading manufacturer, accounting for 31% of global manufacturing output in 2022. This dominance has fueled decades of export-oriented economic growth, undercutting foreign competitors and contributing to a growing appetite for tariffs in the United States and Europe.
- Political Legitimacy and the People's Liberation Army | RAND Chinese Navy Commissions First Type 054B Frigate A RAND report examines how shifts in the Chinese Communist Party's political legitimacy—from revolutionary charisma to economic prosperity and national populism—have influenced the People's Liberation Army's development and performance. The study also explores potential future scenarios and their implications for the PLA and U.S. Department of Defense.
- Chinese Navy Commissions First Type 054B Frigate The People's Liberation Army Navy has commissioned its first Type 054B frigate, the Luohe. This 5,000-ton-class warship features advancements in stealth technology, combat command systems, and integrated firepower control, enhancing China's naval capabilities.
- How much of the world really backs Beijing’s claim to Taiwan? | Lowy Institute Approximately 74% of countries, totaling 142, now support Beijing's position that Taiwan is part of China. This widespread adoption of Beijing's stance might constrain U.S.-led deterrence efforts in the region.
- China's new transport drone to make deliveries to remote regions - Global Times China's new-generation CH-YH1000 unmanned transport aircraft has completed a full-load taxiing test. Designed for delivering supplies to remote areas, it features an upward-flipping nose door and a belly hatch for emergency airdrops, pesticide spraying, or firefighting.
- What hidden meanings can be found in PLA Eastern Theater Command's Spring Festival posters? - Global Times The PLA Eastern Theater Command's Spring Festival posters, titled "Using force to achieve peace," emphasize the dual themes of military readiness and the pursuit of peace. The use of traditional Chinese characters alongside English reflects a blend of cultural pride and international communication.
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.
- Military trends to watch in 2025 | Lowy Institute Key developments include advancements in autonomous systems, hypersonic weapons, and cyber warfare capabilities. Nations are investing in modernisation and adapting strategies to address evolving global threats.
- A body blow to Putin’s “dirty fleet” | Lowy Institute Europe intensifies actions against Russia's sanction-evading oil trade, targeting the clandestine network of tankers transporting Russian oil illicitly.
- Navy shipbuilding plan would cost $1 trillion over the next 30 years The U.S. Navy's proposal to expand its fleet to 381 ships necessitates an average annual expenditure of $40 billion, doubling current shipbuilding budgets.
- Marine Corps missile truck first to be produced with off-road autonomy
- The Marine Corps' ROGUE Fires vehicle will feature self-driving capabilities, enhancing mobility and operational flexibility in challenging terrains.
- We Went With Marine F-35Bs As They Fought A Mock War From A Pacific Island Marine F-35B units conducted simulated combat operations from a Pacific island, demonstrating expeditionary capabilities and readiness for potential regional conflicts.
- Ukraine: How North Korean soldiers are operating in Russia’s war | CNN
- North Korean troops have been deployed to support Russian forces in Ukraine, engaging in direct combat and highlighting deepening military ties between Pyongyang and Moscow.
- Ukraine Discloses New Method To Defeat Russian Fiber-Optic-Controlled FPV Drones Ukrainian forces have developed techniques to counter Russian fiber-optic-controlled drones, utilising mobile radars to detect and neutralise these threats.
- 11 Baltic cables damaged in 15 months, pushing NATO to boost security A series of undersea cable damages in the Baltic Sea has prompted NATO to enhance surveillance and protective measures to secure critical infrastructure.
- How Would Iranian Nuclear Forces Be Deployed? | Small Wars Journal by Arizona State University Iran is advancing its missile capabilities, including space-launch vehicles, potentially enabling the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles for strategic deployment.
- Doomsday Clock moves closer to midnight than ever before - ABC News The Doomsday Clock has been set to 89 seconds to midnight, reflecting heightened global risks from nuclear tensions, climate change, and emerging technologies.
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