Past events
Recurrent debates about strategy
There are recurrent debates in strategic studies that go back to Antiquity, before the word “strategy” even assumed its modern meanings.
They concern the role of chance, the role of higher...
Hitler’s fatal miscalculation
Dr Klaus Schmider describes his recent book, Hitler’s fatal miscalculation, as a military historian’s attempt to analyse the 20th Century’s most momentous and most idiosyncratic act of horizontal...
Why did Russia attack Ukraine and what are its geopolitical implications?
This ANU Public Lecture will examine why President Putin decided to invade Ukraine and what the implications are for international order, including the risk of a wider war in Europe and the...
2022 John Gee Memorial Lecture - The future of IAEA safeguards, and the future of global security
Please note the change of venue for this event. A reception will follow the lecture where refreshments will be served.
About the speakerMr Rafael Mariano Grossi is Director-General,...
Searching for supply: RAAF expansion and US Operational Aircraft, 1935-1941
When Japan attacked European and US possessions in the Asia-Pacific on 7-8 December 1941, the Australian government had more combat aircraft on order from American firms than Australian and...
‘Saving British face’: Operation Semut and the Borneo Campaign, 1945
Operation Semut, a secret operation launched by Special Operations Australia (SOA) into Sarawak in March 1945, was ostensibly to support the impending Australian landings at Labuan and around...
ANZUS and Taiwan: What are Australia’s obligations?
The likelihood of another Taiwan Strait crisis is increasing. Some argue that if the U.S. chose to defend Taiwan against a Chinese attack, then Australia would be obliged—under the ANZUS alliance—...
Alliances, Nuclear Weapons and Escalation
As great power competition intensifies, the role of deterrence and the potential for escalation have taken on renewed importance in the security calculations of Australia and other US allies. How...
The Taiwan Choice: Showdown in Asia
If Asia’s key flashpoint erupts, what will Australia do? The decision could reshape our future in Asia.
“If America goes to war with China over Taiwan, Washington will expect Australia to...
Not your parents' Cold War: Why this time is different and more dangerous
It is only natural that we see the ‘new Cold War’ through the lens of the old one. But how far is the new Cold War against China like the old one against the Soviet Union?
Today’s policies...
