This article examines Australia’s 2024 National Defence Strategy (NDS) within the context of evolving regional dynamics and global strategic competition. Emphasizing deterrence by denial, the NDS prioritizes capabilities aimed at thwarting aggression and safeguarding Australia’s
In the evolving strategic landscape of the Indo-Pacific, Australia’s National Defence Strategy (NDS) emerges as a comprehensive framework to address the region’s increasing security challenges. The NDS leverages a whole-of-government approach, integrating all elements of national power
The Indo-Pacific region stands at the forefront of global geopolitics, complete with unique opportunities and intricate challenges that demand a comprehensive and fresh global outlook while also prioritizing homeland defense. With increasing threats to the North American homeland ranging from cyber
The article discusses the growing challenges the United States faces in defending the homeland, particularly in the Arctic region. It highlights the importance of a strong defense alliance, such as the partnership between the United States and Canada through the North American Aerospace Defense
This article examines how the US Special Operations Command North (SOCNORTH) is tasked with defending the US homeland against the growing strategic competition with China. The article highlights how China’s hybrid warfare tactics—including cognitive warfare, cyberattacks, and economic
This article examines China’s strategic ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region through the lens of its “Zhōngguó” or “Middle Kingdom” dream of regaining its perceived historical dominance. It traces the deep roots of this aspiration in Chinese nationalism and the Chinese
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China’s military build-up and its wolf warrior diplomacy are reshaping Australian foreign and defense policies. In response, Australia has conceived grand strategies of balancing and engagement and embraced a new defense approach. However, this rethinking has somewhat neglected airpower,
Throughout the twentieth century, Australia stood as a steadfast ally of the United States and other liberal democracies, actively engaging in major conflicts and bolstering the global liberal order. Since 2008, faced with China’s growing assertiveness, Australia has shifted from a supporting
For more than two decades, Australia successfully balanced its economic ties with China, its most significant economic partner, and its security alliance with the United States, its core ally. That era has ended. As US–China tensions escalate, Canberra faces difficult choices between the two
This article scrutinizes the expanding role of deterrence in Australian strategic thought and defense policy, particularly since 2009. It explores how Australia has transitioned from a focus on territorial defense to adopting deterrence by denial as a central element of its national defense
This article aims to focus the attention of the Sri Lankan polity on devising a coherent strategy for the Indian Ocean region (IOR). It takes a decisive stance on the absence of an Indian Ocean–centric order, advocating for a unique code of conduct centered on the concept of a peace zone. This
The Indo-Pacific Region, a hotbed for geographical and hydro-climate disasters such as cyclones, tsunamis, floods, and typhoons, presents both direct and indirect threats to human and national security. This research seeks to bolster both forms of security by enhancing the management of these
This article discusses the economic and geopolitical implications of the US Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) from Sri Lanka’s perspective as an Indian Ocean littoral state. By examining the strategy behind the framework, evaluating its perceived economic benefits, and outlining the
This article examines the geopolitical dynamics in South Asia, focusing on Sri Lanka’s strategic position amid rising powers India and China. It explores how Sri Lanka’s domestic political environment and socioeconomic needs shape Colombo’s foreign policy engagements. The article
India responded to Sri Lanka’s 2022 economic crisis and sovereign default with USD 4 billion in financing facilities. This support enabled Sri Lanka to sustain essential imports and maintain sufficient foreign currency reserves to avoid defaulting on multilateral creditors. While India’s
The article, which sets the stage for the present thematic issue of the journal, examines the evolving use of the terms pacing threat and pacing challenge in the context of US defense strategy, particularly in relation to China. It traces the origins of these phrases, noting that they have been used
The prolonged engagement of the US military in desert climates has sidelined Arctic operational capabilities for two decades. As the Arctic emerges as an arena for strategic competition, this article contends that reinvigorating these capabilities through Alaska’s logistical infrastructure is
For US leaders and policy makers attempting to deter or punish asymmetric challenges from China, Russia, and other authoritarian states, information has been an underutilized tool. Beijing and Moscow react more negatively to information tools, especially those that challenge regime controls over
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In recent years, South Pacific leaders have advocated a “zone of peace” for the region, with their national security forces focusing on civil security to protect exclusive economic zones, conduct outreach, perform aeromedical evacuations, and deliver humanitarian aid. However, protecting
In the twenty-first century, effective security strategies demand more than sophisticated military might. Social and information technologies have transformed the character of conflict, compelling democracies to expand their defenses beyond traditional military domains. Adversaries now wield
This article examines the multifaceted implications of changing environmental conditions in the Arctic, particularly for US national security. It highlights both the challenges and opportunities these transformations present. As diminishing sea ice, altered wave dynamics, increased wind speeds, and
The US Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) is tasked with deterring and preparing for a potential conflict with China, while also facing a clear threat from North Korea (DPRK) against the American Pacific homeland. To address mounting cooperation among adversaries, the US should establish a
Despite the rapidly growing importance of the Arctic in economic, defense, and environmental sectors, the United States, though an Arctic nation, lacks meaningful defense capacity in the Arctic region. This article provides a brief history of the critical role that Alaska Natives played in the
The North American Arctic presents unique geographical, social, political, economic, and military conditions that constitute significant drivers of vulnerability. This article examines key vulnerabilities in Alaska and the Canadian Arctic and how they interact, providing opportunities for China and
This article examines experiences implementing a Women, Peace, and Security strategy in diverse cultural contexts, focusing on underutilized tools for promoting gender equity. It explores opportunities for Mexican and Latin American women in regional defense and security. Emphasizing cultural
Guam and the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)—constituent parts of the United States—sit in such proximity to the Asian coast that the CNMI shares a maritime border with Japan. Stretching between them and Hawai’i are three independent countries—Palau, the
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Over the past three years, Australia has shifted its foreign and defense policy in the Indo-Pacific region from a liberal engagement approach to a more ambitious neorealist stance, significantly increasing its interaction with the United States. Despite these changes, Australia remains economically
This article examines the healthcare crisis in Sri Lanka, which has been exacerbated by the country’s economic downturn in 2022. Prior to the crisis, Sri Lanka had enjoyed a robust healthcare system and good health indicators. However, the current situation has led to shortages of essential
The Indo-Pacific region grapples with increasing volatility due to geopolitical tensions among major powers and the multifaceted impacts of climate change. In this context, both military and civilian stakeholders require comprehensive biodiversity data urgently. This article explores how
As China escalates its assertive tactics in the South China Sea, the United States must take bolder action to support its regional allies and partners, starting with the Philippines. This article argues that the United States should begin directly escorting Philippine vessels within their exclusive
Mexico holds a crucial position as one of the foremost trading partners and economic powerhouses for the United States in Central and Southern America. Given its proximity to the United States and its unwavering alliance from a security standpoint, Mexico plays a pivotal role in US foreign policy
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Book Review: China–US Competition: Impact on Small and Middle Powers’ Strategic Choices, ed. Simona A. Grano and David Wei Feng Huang. Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan, 2023, 351 pp. Reviewed by Hoang Hien Thuong.
Book Review: Airpower Pioneers: From Billy Mitchell to David Deptula, ed. John Andreas Olsen. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 2022, 431 pp. Reviewed by Air Vice Marshal Arjun Subramaniam, Indian Air Force, Retired.
Book Review: Nine Dash Line: Deciphering the South China Sea Conundrum, by Pooja Bhatt. New Delhi: K W Publishers Pvt Ltd, 2020. Reviewed by Aamir Khan.
This book review critically examines three recent speculative fiction novels that depict a hypothetical war between the United States and China: Ghost Fleet, 2034, and White Sun War. The author explores the role of these novels in stimulating strategic thinking and policy discussions
Book Review: Red Dragon Flanker: China’s Prolific ‘Flanker’ Family, by Andreas Rupprecht. Houston: Harpia Publishing, 2022. 253 pp.
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Traditionally, power is measured by states’ ability to coerce using hard power; however, the diffusion of power largely due to increased interdependence and advanced technology development has rendered these traditional sources of power less effective in achieving desired outcomes. Today, it
First, this article discusses openness and selective US interests in an openness strategy. Second, recognizing that power comes from many sources, this article discusses leveraging the diplomatic, information, economic, then military (DIME) instruments of power to address China’s rise and
A selective engagement strategy in East Asia requires diplomatic and economic cooperation and confrontation, as well as information and military competition. This article will provide a background on China’s growing influence in East Asia, outline a grand strategy of selective engagement, and
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Recently, Indo-Pacific states have found themselves embroiled in a competition between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the United States for influence. Particularly concerning is the notable increase in military cooperation between long-standing US partner Singapore and the PRC. This
This article examines, first, Military-Civil Fusion’s origins and organizational framework, along with its execution today under President Xi Jinping. The analysis documents key economic and political interactions among MCF’s various stakeholders. Additionally, the article uses as an
This article provides a recommended definition of lawfare, contrasts the United States’ and China’s use of lawfare in the South China Sea, and discusses potential options for the United States’ strategic legitimization and operationalization of lawfare.
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This paper provides an original contribution to the literature of economic coercion, based on empirical analysis of signaling from China to the United States from late 2012 to late 2022, President Xi Jinping’s first two terms. I argue that Xi has expressed more assertive economic coercion
Various spacepower theorists, such as John Klein, Everett Dolman, Namrata Goswami, Peter Garretson, and Brent Ziarnick, write about the similarities between the maritime domain and outer space. However, much of their literature focuses on great power competition between countries like the United
The United States military has executed 33 stability operations as opposed to 16 combat operations since 1898. The stabilization activities were frequently ineffective and regularly left occupied countries in a worse condition after US forces left than prior to arrival. Several underlying problems
The 2020 Irregular Warfare Annex to the National Defense Strategy acknowledges that the US military historically repeats a “boom-and-bust” cycle in its institutional competency for irregular warfare. The annex charges special operations forces to avoid the mistakes of the past by
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