Asia and Pacific

Beijing’s pursuit of missile defense and anti-satellite systems call into question how justified its hostility to the defensive measures of its rivals are, while raising concerns over Chinese intentions.

A definitive judgment of the aftermath of Sri Lankan cannot yet be reached. At best, all that can be determined at present is that the post-civil war settlement in country has had mixed results, and has left it with an unclear future.

North Korea’s nuclear and missile weapons programs have drawn considerable attention, yet they mask critical military vulnerabilities. To meet the threat posed by North Korea, the US and its allies should expand and modernize their surveillance and precision strike systems.

The LDP will use Japan’s October parliamentary election result as a mandate for its policies, but the election may have been more about the failures of the opposition. Without a capable alternative, the LDP will continue to win elections – almost regardless of its own successes in office.

The Diplomat magazine has carried analysis by HSC senior fellow Rowan Allport on the possible role of the Australian military in a new Korean War

Washington and its partners must support Thailand and Myanmar in their economic and political development. If the US does not take a more positive and proactive stance, it risks ceding the opportunity to China.

The US, Japan, and South Korea would greatly benefit from Washington, Tokyo, and Seoul taking a more direct approach to constraining Pyongyang. Only by relying less on Beijing can progress hoped to be made in forcing policy changes in North Korea.

China’s announced increase in its defense budget for 2017, only seven percent growth compared to double-digit increases over much of the last two decades, attests to the shifting landscape in Chinese defense strategy and force structure. It also reflects the domestic challenges the country faces.

The Xi Administration has presided over many policy changes while at the same time overseeing a major turnover throughout the Party and government. All the work that has gone into the last five years, and in some respects even longer, can be cemented with a successful 19th Party Congress.

That there is a need to rebuild the US Navy is disputed by few in the mainstream. Initially at least, readiness needs to be prioritised by beginning to clear the many years of deferred maintenance that have undermined the fleet. But in the longer run, building up both numbers and capabilities matter.