Skip to main content

National Security

Somber scene with soft natural light, honoring a renowned expert's life and legacy.

Australia Mourns Demise of Top Russia Expert Kyle Wilson

Australia is mourning the loss of Kyle Wilson, a renowned Russia expert who left an indelible mark on the country's diplomatic and intelligence landscape. With a career spanning over three decades, Wilson's legacy as a leading authority on Soviet and post-Soviet Russia will continue to inspire and inform.

Analyst 207
Rows of crates filled with military equipment and supplies in a storage facility.

US Weighs Munitions Stockpiles as Iran Fighting Pauses

President Donald Trump brushed off concerns about dwindling high-end munitions, confidently asserting that the US has a substantial stockpile, with Trump adding that he'd like to have even more. The US is actively restocking and ramping up production to replenish its arsenal.

Analyst 207
Military briefing room with table and chairs, Australian flag motif in background.

Australian Army Overhauls Professionalism Amid Great Power Competition

As Lieutenant General Simon Stuart steps down, he leaves behind a revitalized Australian Army, strengthened by a two-year review that aimed to boost professional discipline and accountability in the face of growing global competition. The review tackled key issues, including a decline in expertise and self-regulation, to prepare the army for the challenges of a rapidly changing world.

Analyst 207
Two officials in formal attire discuss an agreement in a conference room with a cityscape background.

Australia's Absence of Economic Security Minister Hampers Cooperation

As Japan's Minister for Science, Technology and Economic Security visits Australia, the two nations are set to strengthen their alliance with a quantum cooperation agreement, ensuring a reliable supply of critical minerals and propelling them to the forefront of technological innovation. This move comes at a time when global economic security is under scrutiny, and Australia's vacant Economic Security Minister position raises questions about its capacity for cooperation.

Analyst 207
Advanced landing barge East Engineering 403 dockside in daylight.

China's PLA Unveils Advanced Landing Barges in Strategic Photos

Get a first look at China's PLA's latest game-changer: the advanced landing barge, East Engineering 403, revealed in stunning strategic photos. This sleek vessel's name holds secrets about its fleet and function, decoded through PLAN naming conventions.

Analyst 207
US submarine docked at naval base with Australian coastline in background.

US Submarine Deployment Exposes Australia's War Planning Dilemma

Australia is set to host a powerful US submarine force at HMAS Stirling from 2027, raising crucial questions about how this combat squadron would be deployed in war and how it aligns with Australia's commitments. A US Submarine Rotational Force–West will be established, consisting of up to four attack submarines with supporting infrastructure and facilities.

Analyst 207
Soldiers in protective gear cautiously enter a dimly lit cave during CBRN operations.

Army Bolsters Readiness with CBRN Training Exercises

Soldiers from the 14th Brigade Engineer Battalion gear up for a high-stakes mission, navigating a cave to conduct crucial Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) operations as part of Rotation 25-11. This intense training exercise at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif., is just one example of how the Army is bolstering its readiness.

Analyst 207
Europol officers in a briefing room with a large screen displaying a Europe map.

Europol Targets 4,340 URLs in Crackdown on Violent Extremist Network 'The Com

Europol has launched a crackdown on the violent extremist network 'The Com', flagging 4,340 URLs for removal after detecting sinister content that promotes self-harm and exploitation of minors. The operation, involving nine countries, aims to protect vulnerable users from coded messages and emojis that can have devastating effects.

Analyst 207
Australian coastline with undersea cables and damaged lines, with an autonomous vehicle in the distance.

Australia's Defence Faces Urgent Test in Autonomous Systems Race

Australia's internet lifelines are under attack, with a growing number of subsea cable damages threatening the nation's digital infrastructure - and Defence Minister Richard Marles warns that the frequency and scale of these incidents is historically unprecedented. Roughly 99 percent of Australia's internet traffic relies on just 15 of these vulnerable cables.

Analyst 207
Australian-made drones sit on a table near a coastal monitoring station, with people working in the background and the…

Australia's Drone Policy Exposes National Security Gap

Australia's foreign minister, Penny Wong, has made a bold commitment to the Philippines, vowing to provide surveillance drones built in Australia and the US, shunning cheaper Chinese alternatives in favour of trusted tech. This move comes as Australia's own drone policy reveals a concerning gap in national security.

Analyst 207
Chinese Coast Guard personnel stand at attention on a vessel deck, holding rifles in a tight phalanx formation.

China Coast Guard Adopts Heavy Infantry Tactics for Naval Combat

The Chinese Coast Guard is ramping up its naval combat tactics by adopting a heavy infantry approach, essentially turning sea battles into land battles by using long pikes, tight ranks, and a wall of shields to hold ground. This phalanx-style strategy marks a significant shift in their doctrine and equipment.

Analyst 207
Naval officer stands near podium with maritime display in briefing room.

Germany Seeks More P-8 Aircraft to Counter Russian Naval Activity

Germany is ramping up its maritime patrol capabilities with an initial order of eight Boeing P-8A Poseidon aircraft, but its naval air command chief hints that this is just the beginning. The move is part of a broader effort to counter growing Russian naval activity, particularly in the High North, where concerns over undersea operations and attacks on critical cables are on the rise.

Analyst 207
US Navy ship transits Strait of Hormuz with commercial vessels and tankers under a clear daytime sky.

US Naval Operations in Strait of Hormuz Show Resilience Amid Escalating Tensions

Despite ongoing threats from Iranian forces, US naval operations in the Strait of Hormuz are proving resilient, with no US ships or aircraft lost and steady progress in putting pressure on Iran's economy. Traffic continues to flow through the strait, a testament to the effectiveness of the US effort.

Analyst 207
Damaged oil tankers with signs of fire in calm Red Sea waters under a clear sky.

Houthis Target Saudi Oil Tankers in Red Sea

The Houthis have launched a daring attack on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, striking them with a combination of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones, and sparking a massive fire on both vessels. The bold move has reportedly forced nearby ships to retreat, with one tanker confirming it was hit by an unknown projectile off the coast of Saudi Arabia.

Analyst 207
Diplomats from Indo-Pacific nations gather in a conference room with a regional map behind them.

EU urged to speak out against China's Indo-Pacific aggression

The Solomon Islands' prime minister hit the nail on the head, saying "This is not something a friend does," as over a dozen Indo-Pacific governments, including Pacific island nations, united to condemn China's recent ballistic missile test launch. The test, which Beijing downplayed as "routine," sparked alarm across the region, with leaders like Australia's prime minister warning it undermined stability.

Analyst 207
Military aircraft, including an electronic warfare plane, sit on tarmac at RAF Fairford air base.

Iran Threatens UK Air Base After US Bombers Launch Strikes

Iran has issued a stark warning to a UK air base, threatening it as a legitimate target if used to launch attacks on Iranian territory, after US bombers took off from the base to carry out strikes. The base, RAF Fairford in England, has also recently welcomed electronic warfare aircraft, heightening tensions.

Analyst 207
Data centres clustered in a metropolitan area with modern buildings and urban infrastructure.

Australia's AI Data Centres Should Shift North

Australia's reliance on AI data centres in Sydney and Melbourne poses a significant geographic risk, with the country's infrastructure vulnerable to disruption due to its concentrated capacity. Shifting data centres north could be a strategic move to mitigate this risk and ensure national security.

Analyst 207
China Coast Guard vessel patrols near Yonaguni Island with Japan Coast Guard vessel in distance.

China Coast Guard Asserts Jurisdiction in Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone

China's Coast Guard is flexing its muscles in Japanese waters, asserting its jurisdiction in a bold move that's sending ripples through the region. A Chinese vessel was spotted patrolling Japan's exclusive economic zone south of Yonaguni Island, sparking a tense exchange with Japanese authorities.

Analyst 207
Camouflaged military vehicles on a winding mountain road with snow-capped peaks in the background.

Indian Army Deploys Integrated Battle Groups to Bolster China Border Defense

The Indian Army has taken a major leap in bolstering its China border defense by deploying Integrated Battle Groups, a strategic move that enables a swift and powerful response to emerging threats. This game-changing deployment, led by the Eastern Command’s 17 Mountain Strike Corps, marks a significant shift towards modernizing the country's defense capabilities.

Analyst 207
General Dan Caine seated at a formal hearing with committee members and a podium in the background, with a blurred laptop…

Ukrainian F-16 Achieves First Air-To-Air Kill Against Russian Fighter

In a major milestone, a Ukrainian F-16 fighter jet scored its first air-to-air kill against a Russian fighter, marking a significant boost to Ukraine's expanding military capabilities. This breakthrough achievement was confirmed by Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, before the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Analyst 207
Islanders walk along a serene Pacific coastline with a military ship visible on the horizon, conveying a sense of subtle…

Japan, Australia forge Pacific pact to counter China's growing assertiveness

In a bold move, China fired a ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean, prompting Australia to swiftly condemn the launch as a "provocative act" just hours after strengthening ties with Fiji. The test sparked concern among Pacific leaders, who urged global superpowers to respect the region and avoid threatening behaviour.

Analyst 207
Witness testifies before House Intelligence Committee in dimly lit hearing room.

US Spies Warn Congress of China's AI Tech Heist

US intelligence agencies are on high alert, warning Congress that China's relentless pursuit of cutting-edge AI technology poses a significant threat to national security. The country's intelligence community is playing catch-up, lagging behind foreign efforts to acquire advanced AI tech.

Analyst 207

China Coast Guard Bolsters Replenishment at Sea Capabilities

The China Coast Guard is stepping up its game with a strategic upgrade: the ability to replenish its ships at sea, keeping them on station for longer and bolstering its presence in the South China Sea. Two 5,000-ton tankers, hulls 5502 and 5602, are already on the job, supporting patrols in the region.

Analyst 207
US naval ship underway near busy shipping lane with commercial vessels on the horizon.

US Naval Posture Shifts Amid Iranian Blockade

CENTCOM has launched a sustained campaign of nighttime precision strikes against Iranian military targets, dealing a significant blow to their capabilities. The renewed maritime blockade has already seen seven commercial vessels redirected and one disabled in a bold show of force.

Analyst 207