Australia's naval defence without AUKUS pillar one
The AUKUS nuclear submarines are not going to be delivered on time and may never arrive. Delaying the decision for a better alternative risks Australia’s future submarine capability.
6 May 2026
Australia’s resilience is inseparable from Asia
Australia is anchored in Asia, yet elements of our defence posture continue to assume a different centre of gravity. This makes it difficult to reconcile long-term strategic planning with the region Australia relies on for its economic security and wellbeing.
1 May 2026
Rethinking Australia’s place in the world in an era of fracture
As part of our Foreign Policy Rethink series, Joseph Camilleri sets out the case for breaking with a militarised, US-aligned mindset and building a more independent, cooperative approach to security and global engagement.
30 April 2026
Multiculturalism should shape Australia’s foreign policy
In the latest of our Foreign Policy Rethink series, Jocelyn Chey argues that Australia’s foreign policy must better reflect its multicultural society and leverage its diversity in international engagement.
30 April 2026
Australia risks weakening itself by overcorrecting on China
Australia’s economic relationship with China remains strong, but growing restrictions on investment and research risk undermining long-term economic and national security.
29 April 2026
Recapturing the decency dimension of Australian foreign policy
In the latest of our Foreign Policy Rethink series, Gareth Evans argues that Australia’s foreign policy must give greater weight to being, and being seen as, a good international citizen.
29 April 2026
Australia can’t have self-reliant defence and nuclear submarines
In the latest in our Foreign Policy Rethink series, Mike Gilligan argues that Australia’s renewed focus on defence self-reliance is incompatible with its deepening commitment to AUKUS and nuclear submarines.
28 April 2026
Australia's foreign policy needs renovation, not demolition
In the latest of our Foreign Policy Rethink series, Peter Varghese outlines how alliance, region and multilateralism must be recalibrated for a more contested and uncertain global order.
27 April 2026
Any sane foreign policy would put climate risks, not China, at centre stage
Australia’s defence and foreign policy settings are focused on geopolitical rivalry, while far greater systemic risks – especially climate disruption – receive little strategic attention.
26 April 2026
Geography doesn’t change, but minds can
In the latest in our Foreign Policy Rethink series, Mark Beeson takes a look at Australia’s long-standing alignment with the United States and argues it is increasingly out of step with shifting global realities and regional dynamics.
25 April 2026
The return of great power relations: limits to middle power diplomacy – Part 4
As part of the Foreign Policy Rethink series, Geoff Raby sets out how middle powers can navigate a world of competing orders – and why a more independent, cooperative strategy is needed.
24 April 2026
The return of great power relations: Xi Jinping’s global dream – Part 3
In the third part of his piece for the Foreign Policy Rethink series, Geoff Raby examines how middle powers can navigate a world of competing great powers – and why Australia’s current approach is becoming more vulnerable.
23 April 2026
The return of great power relations: a world of bounded orders – Part 2
In the second part of his piece for the Foreign Policy Rethink series, Geoff Raby examines how China is constructing a competing global order and reshaping the institutions that underpin international relations.
