When bushfires break out anywhere across Australia, a new national bushfire defence force – like army reservists – could be deployed.
AAP/DFES Lewis van Bommel
There is a real risk a national inquiry could get bogged down in politics, or not lead to real change. But we need more federal action on bushfires. Our old approaches are broken.
The EU and NATO: aligned but not always together.
Nedelcu Paul Petru/Shutterstock
Why the EU and NATO have struggled to cooperate fully.
Climate change is expected to increase the severity of natural disasters in the Asia-Pacific region, straining Australia’s ability to respond through humanitarian missions and fuelling more climate migration.
Vlad Sokhin/UNICEF handout
A Senate report recommended several measures the government should take to prepare for climate-fuelled migration, natural disasters and conflicts. The response so far has been underwhelming.
Australia has committed to joining the US and the UK in a mission to protect oil ships in the Strait of Hormuz. But why is the Strait the source of so much tension between the US and Iran?
Public support may be shifting in favour of nuclear energy in Australia, but there remains significant opposition to nuclear weapons.
Sean Davey/AAP
Developing nuclear weapons requires technological and industrial capabilities that Australia simply does not have at the moment. The political will may be lacking, too.
Julie Bishop and Marise Payne have risen to the top in foreign affairs, but their successes may be masking more systemic issues preventing women from advancement.
William West/AAP
A new report has found a major gender gap persists in Australia’s diplomatic, defence and intelligence fields. Australia needs good ideas, and we cannot assume they will all come from the same place.
Morrison announced a compromise position that recognises West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital but does not move Australia’s embassy there until a peace settlement determines Jerusalem’s final status.
In a speech titled “After the Midterms”
Fullilove warns Australia may need to increase its defence spending beyond the present commitment and urges the government to reverse some of its cuts to aid.
As part of Australia’s naval upgrade, construction of 12 future submarines will start around 2022-23.
Brendan Esposito/AAP
Trump’s assault on the global trade system could be just a prelude to his next moves.
In this June 2018 photo, an Israeli tractor works to extinguish a fire started by a kite with an incendiary device launched from Gaza in a wheat field near the Israel/Gaza border.
(AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov)
Incendiary kites and balloons have joined artillery rockets in Gaza’s arsenal. They bleed Israel’s finances more than its people.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo onboard the Indonesian Navy ship KRI Imam Bonjol during a visit to the waters of Natuna Islands, Riau Islands, Indonesia, 23 June 2016.
Agus Suparto/EPA
Let’s launch Australian satellites on Australian rockets from Australian sites, and operate them from Australian facilities.
The ADF’s powers to search, seize and control movement at the scene of an incident will be simplified, expanded and made clearer.
Australian Department of Defence
The bill makes it easier for states and territories to seek help from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to respond to terrorist and other violent occurrences.
Virtual reality is helping train counter-terrorism officers.
Josh LeCappelain/US Deparment of Defense
Virtual reality, augmented reality and serious games can help train people to respond to terrorism and kidnappings.
Canadian Lt. Gen. Pierre St-Amand is seen on Parliament Hill in September 2017 where he appeared as a witness at a House of Commons national defence committee. The deputy commander of NORAD said North American defence needs to evolve to meet modern threats.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick