Transforming the US Military: Implications for the Asia-Pacific

Defence transformation has major implications for the future course of US military and security policy, particularly to the Asia-Pacific region.  Australia should continue to monitor developments closely whilst reacting cautiously.

This report was authored by Richard Bitzinger, an expert in defence transformation, with commentary provided by ASPI’s Mark Thomson.

Your Defence Dollar: The 2006-07 Defence Budget

From a defence perspective, this year’s federal Budget was the most important in half a decade. Your  Defence Dollar, prepared by Mark Thomson, aims to inform discussion and scrutiny of the Defence budget and the policy choices it entails.

Strategic Insights 26 – Securing the transnational movement of trade and people in the era of global terrorism

Former Commissioner US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Robert Bonner spoke at a National Security Policy seminar in Canberra which was co-hosted by ASPI and Unisys on Wednesday, 24 May 2006.

This Insight paper is a transcript of his presentation in which he described the evolution of the US strategy to safeguard homeland security.

The Cost of Defence: ASPI Defence Budget Brief 2006-2007

This document has been written to give readers greater access to the complex workings of the defence budget and to promote informed debate on defence budget issues.

Your Defence Dollar: The 2005-06 Defence Budget

This year’s federal budget was about laying the foundations for sustained prosperity in the Australia in the face of an ageing population.  So, more than ever, its important that every defence dollar is spent to best effect.  With this in mind, this report, prepared by Mark Thomson, aims to inform discussion and scrutiny of the Defence budget and the policy choices it entails.

Strategic Insights 17 – A Shift in Focus? Australia and stability in East Asia

This paper tracks some of the key recent changes in Australian perspectives on East Asian stability and offers broad recommendations for future policy towards the region.

It is authored by Dr Robert Ayson, Director of Studies at The Australian National University’s (ANU) Graduate Studies in Strategy and Defence program.

Representative Views: Mass and elite opinion on Australian security

Authored by Professor Ian McAllister, of the Political Science Program at the Australian National University (ANU), the report gives Australians the opportunity to compare public and ‘elite’ opinion on a range of defence and security questions.

It draws on Australia’s most comprehensive and informative study of social attitudes: The Australian Candidate Study (ACS) and the Australian Election Study (AES).

The Cost of Defence: ASPI Defence Budget Brief 2005-06

This report interested readers greater access to the complex workings of the Defence Budget and promotes informed debate on Defence budget issues.

Section_3_final_1.pdf – PDF (176.0 KB)

Section_4_final_1.pdf – PDF (205.6 KB)

Section_5_final_1.pdf – PDF (207.2 KB)

Section_6_final_1.pdf – PDF (208.7 KB)

Section_7_final_1.pdf – PDF (330.9 KB)

Section_8_final_1.pdf – PDF (295.6 KB)

Section_9_final_1.pdf – PDF (243.7 KB)

Section_2_final_1.pdf – PDF (610.8 KB)

War and Profit: Doing business on the battlefield

The past fifteen years have seen a rapid growth in private sector firms supporting military operations.  More recently, the ADF has employed the private sector to varying degrees in East Timor, Bougainville, Afghanistan and Iraq. 

The paper, prepared by Mark Thomson, puts forward four recommendations on how the ADF could work with the private sector.

View the Legal Opinion on the status of non-combatants and contractors under international humanitarian law and Australian law prepared by Professor Donald R Rothwell.

Strategic Insights 8 – Capability of First Resort? Australia’s Future Amphibious Requirement

This paper looks at the future of the ADF’s amphibious capability in the light of the government decision to purchase two large 24-27,000 ton amphibious vessels to replace HMAS Manoora, Kanimbla and Tobruk. The paper aims to highlight the issues and options that need to be considered by the government.