Peter Martin, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University
In the first year of the pandemic, Australians were given a glimpse of a truth so unnerving that economists and politicians normally keep it to themselves.
On the face of the announcements made so far, the deal complies with international law, despite accusations to the contrary from China and other critics.
The first AUKUS-class submarine will be delivered in the 2040s. We may only get about a decade of use before adversaries can easily detect the new boats.
The Australian government has been careful not to over-hype the progress, talking about “stabilising” the relationship, rather than using stronger language
A Collins class submarine in a training exercise off the coast of the Northern Territory.
Aaron Bunch/AAP
The long-awaited plan for Australia to get nuclear-powered submarines is expected next month, as are recommendations from a major strategic review into our defence force.
Researchers discovered five new species of black corals, including this Hexapathes bikofskii growing out of a nautilus shell more than 2,500 feet (760 meters) below the surface.
Jeremy Horowitz
Black corals provide critical habitat for many creatures that live in the dark, often barren, deep sea, and researchers are learning more about these rare corals with every dive.
Researchers used an old theory on vibrating plane wings to study how fish swim so well. They were able to double the swimming efficiency of their robotic fish over a range of speeds.
The perception in France of a reversal of strategy is in fact a coherent move for Australia, in line with 200 years of Australian diplomatic tradition – for better or worse.
Pride of the fleet: the submarine, HMS Triumph, in 1940 after being rebuilt.
Imperial War Museum archive
The French submarine deal offered Australia a way to diversify its international partners beyond its traditional allies, the US and UK. Now, this relationship is in tatters.
Nuclear submarines are powered by a miniature onboard fission reactor. They can go for decades without refuelling, making them faster, stealthier and much more expensive than conventional submarines.
Indonesian defence planners need to assume the worst-case scenario of future weapon system accidents and account for the whole acquisition lifecycle in weapon system procurements.
Internal waves can create pretty cloud shapes in the sky, as well as making life unpleasant for passengers on aeroplanes. And in the oceans they can be a deadly hazard to submarines.
The difficult defence portfolio has had a swift turnover of ministers in recent decades. But with great challenges come great opportunities for Peter Dutton.