In memory of the Marshall Plan – a primer for Gen Z
The attack on Pearl Harbour led to an enormous volume of United States resources being committed to the war against Nazi Germany.
Recent articles in Defence
9 May 2025
Danger: Global security is now in the hands of Trump, Rubio and Hegseth
The United States is a national security state. Over the past half-century, it has unnecessarily conducted “forever wars” in Vietnam (1960s-1970s), Iraq (2000s-the present), Afghanistan (2000s-2020), and now possibly in Yemen.
9 May 2025
Four World War II myths: Ignoring China, downplaying Russia’s role
As the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II approaches in 2025, the vital contributions of China and Russia remain largely overlooked by the West, just as they have always been.
7 May 2025
Brave new world
As Australia’s newly elected government seeks to navigate the shoals of President Donald Trump’s new world after the election on 3 May, it will behove us to think beyond our tariff concerns and AUKUS and focus on Southeast Asia.
6 May 2025
Kate Grenville’s questions about our 5000 war memorials
Now that Anzac Day is done and dusted for another year, it’s time to look at Australia’s continuing war obsession from a different angle. The late distinguished historian, Ken Inglis, estimated there are between 4000 and 5000 war memorials in Australia. They are in large cities, suburbs, regional towns and villages, and on crossroads where villages once stood.
5 May 2025
Sustaining hope when war is normalised
What follows is a link to my talk given on 24 April at the Canberra gathering of the Medical Association for the Prevention of War.
2 May 2025
No, it is not time for Australia to acquire its own nuclear weapons
Clive Hamilton’s proposal that Australia should consider acquiring nuclear weapons relies on several flawed assumptions. The biggest of these is the myth that nuclear weapons make us — or anybody — safer.
29 April 2025
Only a third of Australians support increasing defence spending: new research
National security issues have been a constant feature of this federal election campaign.
27 April 2025
If I were defence minister...
On becoming Australia’s new defence minister, I will advise cabinet at its first meeting that our nation is at a perilous, strategic crossroad.
27 April 2025
A minority Labor Government's policy agenda – Part 1
A minority Labor Government is widely seen as a likely outcome in the forthcoming election.
26 April 2025
The myth of the US good cop
As Donald Trump destroys the old world order a new myth is taking hold: before Trump, it is said, America benevolently provided the defence for the Western world, policing rogue states and promoting international free trade.
25 April 2025
Anzac voices – voices of warning
A shade over 110 years since the Gallipoli landings, Anzac Day is a day of mourning for many. Respect is due. And more. If we listen to the original Anzac voices, we may recognise voices of warning – relevant today.
25 April 2025
ANZAC Day: Honour the dead, spurn the myths and militarism
ANZAC Day is an occasion to honour those who died fighting for Australia.
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