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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
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
If there’s a war in the Pacific, who defends Australia?
29 August 2025 | Jennifer Parker *Originally published in the Sydney Morning Herald on 29 August 2025 Image: HMAS Sydney transits as part...
AUKUS: Building confidence in Australia’s submarine pathway
14 July 2025 | Jennifer Parker *Originally published in Lowy's Interpreter on 14 July 2025 Image: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for...
NATO’s 5% of GDP defence target ramps up pressure on Australia to spend vastly more
27 June 25 | Jennifer Parker *Originally published in the Conversation on 27 June 2025. Image: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP, meets with Minister of National Defence of Canada David McGuinty at the 2025 NATO Leaders’ Summit. (Defence Images) After lobbying by US President Donald Trump, NATO leaders have promised to boost annual defence spending to 5% of their countries’ gross domestic product (GDP) by 2035. A NATO statement releas
Would Iran Blockade the Strait of Hormuz?
25 June 25 | Jennifer Parker *Originally published in the Sydney Morning Herald on 24 June 2025 Image: Strait of Hormuz. Google Maps In...
US strikes on Iran warn adversaries, re-establish deterrence
22 June 2025 | Jennifer Parker *Originally published in the Australian 22 June 2025 Image: US State Department. US press conference...
Trump’s AUKUS review is routine, not a harbinger of collapse
13 June 2025 | Jennifer Parker *Originally published in the Sydney Morning Herald on 12 June 2025 Image: Deputy Prime Minister and...
To strengthen defence, Canberra and London must turn good will into actual capability
8 May 2025 | Jennifer Parker *Originally published in Leading Britain's Conversation on 8 May 2025 Image: Defence Minister Richard Marles...
Why AUKUS remains the right strategy for the future defence of Australia
24 April 2025 | Jennifer Parker *Originally published in The Conversation Image: United States Navy Virginia-class submarine USS...
Fewer ‘rat catchers’ risk Defence paralysis
22 April 2025 | Jennifer Parker *Originally published in the Australian Financial Review on 22 April 2025 as part of their election...
Yes, women do belong in frontline combat roles
15 April 2025 | Jennifer Parker *Originally published in the Australian on 15 April 2025 Image: Image of RAAF Â Corporal Samantha Mead...
Australia’s plan for acquiring nuclear-submarines is on track
2 April 2025 | Jennifer Parker *Originally published in the Australian Financial Review on 2 April 2025 Rather than repeatedly...
Defence spending – A question of capability
24 March 2025 | Jennifer Parker Image: Royal Australian Navy Minehunter Coastal HMAS Diamantina anchors in the Derwent River in support of the 186th Royal Hobart Regatta. (Defence Images) The Australian government has said, and frequently reiterated that we are facing our most ‘ complex and challenging  strategic environment since World War II—diplomatic language for a region where conflict is increasingly likely, though not inevitable. That means Australia could soon need th
If we panic about these Chinese ships, Xi wins the propaganda war
27 February | Jennifer Parker *Originally published in the Sydney Morning Herald on 27 February 2025 Image: People’s Liberation Army-Navy...
China’s expedition shows Australia must become a maritime power
23 February 2025 | Jennifer Parker *Originally published in the Australian Financial Review on 23 February 2025 Image: Defence Images ...
Why attack missile boats can’t replace major warships
13 February | Jennifer Parker * Originally published in ASPI's The Strategist on 12 February 2025 Image of HMAS Hobart: Daniel...
The US should be concerned about the Panama Canal
3 February 2025 | Jennifer Parker *Originally published in the Australian on 3 February 2025 Image: Image of Miraflores Locks on the...
The Next Government Needs a Bolder Plan for Maritime Defence
06 January 2025 | Jennifer parker *Originally published in The Australian on 6 January 2025 Image: HMAS Stalwart replenishing HMAS...
China's Push for Closer Defence Ties Is Unrealistic Without Behaviour Change
30 November 2024 | Jennifer Parker *Originally published in the Australian Financial Review on 30 November 2024 While the relationship...