Looking for a fair wind: Reflections on Australia’s maritime security
Jocelyn Chey

Looking for a fair wind: Reflections on Australia’s maritime security

Australians may miss out on opportunities to reinforce our regional security if they are over-concerned about Chinese aggression in the South Pacific and do not take the opportunity of engaging in regional dialogue to resolve common problems.

Recent articles in Defence

Submarines are not instruments of peace: A Quaker’s response to Australia’s strategic obsession
David O'Halloran

Submarines are not instruments of peace: A Quaker’s response to Australia’s strategic obsession

Rear Admiral Peter Briggs’ recent defence of submarines offers a polished, strategic case for Australia’s continued investment in this kind of military hardware – especially nuclear-powered ones.

AUKUS turning point – Sydney Morning Herald calls for review
The Sydney Morning Herald

AUKUS turning point – Sydney Morning Herald calls for review

Since the AUKUS deal was signed in 2021 Pearls and Irritations has led a high-profile debate on the $368 billion deal, questioning whether it serves our interests. This week we saw a significant turning point. An editorial in the Sydney Morning Herald calls on the Australian Government to follow the UK lead, and launch an inquiry into the deal. Below is the full text of the editorial.

To Australia’s 'realists': Gnothi seauton (Know yourself)
Michael McKinley

To Australia’s 'realists': Gnothi seauton (Know yourself)

In international relations, realism is a theory that views world politics as a competition among self-interested states vying for power and security within an anarchic global system, emphasising national interests and the potential for conflict.

AUKUS on track? No, Australia needs Plan B now
Peter Briggs

AUKUS on track? No, Australia needs Plan B now

Last Monday’s AUKUS Security forum at the National Press Club heard arguments of those seeking to support the status quo. It was argued that criticism undermines AUKUS and risks turning the possibility that the US will not be able to spare Virginia class SSNs for sale to Australia from an ‘if’ to certainty.

AUKUS – the bucktooth cousin hidden in election blather
Kym Davey

AUKUS – the bucktooth cousin hidden in election blather

In French, buck teeth are called dents à l'anglaise, literally English teeth. Stay with me. The connection to the old dart, France, and the dishonourable origins of AUKUS will be revealed.

Keating says Trump’s tariffs mean death knell for NATO and ANZUS
Paul Keating

Keating says Trump’s tariffs mean death knell for NATO and ANZUS

Former Australian prime minister Paul Keating says Donald Trump’s neo-Monroeism has made it clear that America now calls only the Western hemisphere home.

In every China-US war game scenario I've seen, America has lost
Chris Barrie

In every China-US war game scenario I've seen, America has lost

Global security alliances are in turmoil, and Australia needs to critically rethink its defence and foreign affairs policies.

Time to split from sugar daddy
Richard Hil

Time to split from sugar daddy

Last week, I listened to Stuart Rees and Sue Wareham, two regular contributors to P&I, discuss kindness and cruelty in public policy.

The Sisyphean task of the Royal Australian Navy to maintain and operate the submarine capability
Hans J. Ohff

The Sisyphean task of the Royal Australian Navy to maintain and operate the submarine capability

How will the Royal Australian Navy, the federal government, and the Australian defence industrial base support three submarine classes concurrently: the Collins Class life of type extension (LOTE), the Virginia class sustainment support, and the design and construction of the AUKUS Class nuclear-powered submarines? My assessment, this is an insoluble task.

Time to call it. The US doesn't give a stuff for us
John Queripel

Time to call it. The US doesn't give a stuff for us

Despite 80 years of Australian unwavering loyalty, as expected the US, our closest ally, is now screwing us on tariffs, with a hefty 25% tariff placed on Australian steel and aluminium exports.

Why does Australia need submarines?
Peter Briggs

Why does Australia need submarines?

Why submarines? The submarine’s most fundamental, key feature is its stealth. A well-handled, submarine is able to operate without causing fuss, in areas where we do not control the sea or air and gain access to areas denied to more overt platforms, such as ships, aircraft and unmanned aircraft.

AUKUS: Many chickens but no subs
Richard Cullen

AUKUS: Many chickens but no subs

John Menadue recently argued convincingly that the “AUKUS chickens were coming home to roost already”. Shortly thereafter, the Guardian helpfully reported that a “Trump pick for the Pentagon says selling submarines to Australia would be ‘crazy’ if Taiwan tensions flare”.



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