ARTICLES

27 Sep 2022

Girt by Sea, and by the Law of the Sea: Why UNCLOS Matters to Australia

Camille Goodman

As a nation which possesses the world’s third largest maritime domain, Australia has benefited tremendously from UNCLOS. Given that multilateralism has come under attack in recent years, the Convention will continue to be significant to middle powers like Australia.

26 Jul 2022

The U.S.-China Strategic Competition in the Pacific: Something ASEAN Needs to Watch

Daljit Singh

Beijing’s recent moves to establish security cooperation with Pacific Island states have riled the U.S. and Australia. ASEAN needs to watch the ongoing great power competition there closely to draw lessons for its own security.

ASEAN AUKUS Australia China Maritime Security Pacific Islands Quad Security U.S.

20 May 2022

Asia’s Regional Security Architecture: An Australian Perspective

Nick Bisley

This Long Read argues that ASEAN’s goal of remaining at the centre of regionalism in Asia is at risk. The Quad and AUKUS are centred around the US due to its paramount military power. Washington shares Australia’s interest in result-oriented security mechanisms, and has found sustaining long-term engagement with ASEAN difficult.

Australia Maritime Security Security

10 Dec 2021

Policymakers’ View

ASEAN and Australia: Advancing Our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

Will Nankervis

The new Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between ASEAN and Australia sends a strong signal of Australia’s commitment to ASEAN and support for the grouping’s central role in the Indo-Pacific. Australia is focused on working with ASEAN to deliver substance under the CSP, including through a new ‘Australia for ASEAN’ package of scholarships, joint projects and a digital transformation and future skills initiative.

ASEAN Australia Policymakers’ View

22 Oct 2021

Southeast Asian Responses to AUKUS: Arms Racing, Non-Proliferation and Regional Stability

William Choong|Ian Storey

AUKUS is a wake-up call to ASEAN that it needs to be more proactive on security issues and cannot take its centrality for granted.

ASEAN Unity AUKUS Australia China Quad South China Sea Southeast Asia U.S.

4 Oct 2021

The Quad and the Indo-Pacific: Going Slow to Go Further

William Choong

In recent years, the Quad has gained momentum in response to growing Chinese assertiveness. But a lower key strategy is advised to allay regional concerns that ASEAN’s centrality will be undermined by a minilateral arrangement helmed by external powers.

ASEAN Australia India Indo-Pacfic Japan Quad U.S. U.S. Foreign Policy

Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong

24 Feb 2021

The State of Southeast Asia Survey

Australia’s Gold, Silver and Bronze

Malcolm Cook

The latest State of Southeast Asia Survey should satiate Australia’s thirst for international recognition.

ASEAN Australia State of Southeast Asia Survey

15 Dec 2020

Policymakers' View

ASEAN-Australia Partnership Amid the Pandemic: Deepening Ties in Challenging Times

Will Nankervis

During the Covid-19 crisis, Australia has doubled down on its support for ASEAN centrality in the Indo-Pacific. The ASEAN-Australia partnership has emerged stronger than ever.

ASEAN Australia COVID-19 Policymakers’ View

2 Jul 2020

Australia’s 2020 Defence Strategic Update: Red Alert, Down Under

Malcolm Cook

Australia’s recently-released defence update may be the most consequential document in terms of Canberra’s defence relations with Southeast Asia. Australia is asking its Southeast Asia partners to do more, while offering them more in return.

ASEAN Australia Southeast Asia