Afghanistan
The new form of “total war” which Beijing has begun is more comprehensive and amorphous than any strategic engagement seen thus far in history. And Beijing has learned from history: direct military engagement is, of necessity, a very secondary component. This is a war which Pres.
ECONOMICS & BUSINESS
HARDWARE, WEAPONRY & TECHNOLOGY
Australia
GOVERNANCE & ELECTIONS
CULTURE, PSYCHOLOGY & MEDIA
“[T]he only thing we have to fear is fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.” — Inaugural address of US Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt, March 4, 1933.
SECURITY, UNREST & WAR
Is the US only now starting to regain some of an element of strategic military impetus after the peaking of its capabilities and prestige became evident with the Clinton War against Serbia in 1999? The war spurred Beijing and Moscow into reviewing their defenses.
GOVERNANCE & ELECTIONS
Oman will remain a pillar of stability because of Qaboos’ legacy, but he will be profoundly missed.
STRATEGY & INTELLIGENCE
Uzbekistan is emerging as the “strategic surprise player”, galvanizing the Silk Road and Central Asia.
SOVEREIGNTY
Many Australians believe that their nation is caught in a wedge between the People’s Republic of China, its biggest trading partner, and the United States, its security ally and biggest investor. But is it? And what are the choices now open to sovereign states as the new global architecture emerges?
STRATEGIC PHILOSOPHY
SOVEREIGNTY
A new strategic framework is possible in which the US could regain some leverage in the Balkans and Eastern Mediterranean. And it could see a resolution of the Kosovo problem which has dogged US credibility in the region since 2008.