Search


Military Coercion is on the Rise and Australia is Vulnerable
Jennifer Parker | 30 November 2025 *Originally Published in the Australian Financial Review on 28 November 2025 We have forgotten what it feels like to face the visceral prospect of attack. Countries that cannot resist coercion will struggle to defend their interests. Image: A Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft conducts an aerial display as part of the RAAF Richmond Air Show 2025. Defence Images. Rumours suggest another Chinese naval task group may be he


Debating defence spending is prudence, not warmongering
19 November 2025 | Jennifer Parker *Originally Published in the Sydney Morning Herald on 17 November 2025 Image: Soldiers from Australia’s Special Operations Engineer Regiment, alongside partners from the US conduct deliberate pre-mission rehearsals in preparation for the next phase of Exercise Talisman Sabre 25, ensuring precision, cohesion, and mission readiness. Defence Images. It is not warmongering to discuss how a changing world may affect Australia’s way of life, just


Beyond AUKUS: The maritime strategy Australia needs
4 November 2025 | Jennifer Parker *Originally published in the Lowy's The Interpreter 4 November 2025 Image: Grappling with how to defend a continent spanning 7.7 million square kilometres can seem overwhelming (Jake Badior/Defence.gov.au) There is growing concern about the shifting geopolitical environment, the increasing use of military force to settle disputes, and what this means for Australia’s future security and prosperity. Grappling with how to defend a continent span


Australia must not grow desensitised to China’s reckless actions
21 October 2025 | Jennifer Parker *Originally published in the Australian Financial Review on 21 October 2025 Image: Philippine Military resupply mission was hit with a water canon from a Chinese Coast Guard cutter. Philippine Military Photo The White House meeting between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Donald Trump produced a string of positives. Chief among them is Trump’s ringing endorsement of AUKUS and his first public commitment to sell nuclear-powered


Why this defence treaty with a Pacific neighbour matters just as much as submarines
15 September 2025 | Jennifer Parker *Originally published in the Sydney Morning Herald on 15 September 2025 Image: Papua New Guinea...