Why Moriarty is a good choice for Defence Secretary

Professor John Blaxland shares his thoughts on why he thinks Greg Moriarty is a good choice for Secretary of the Department of Defence.

How popular culture gets Australian spy work wrong

The cloak-and-dagger exploits of characters like James Bond and Jason Bourne have shaped our cultural idea of spy work. But these films, made mostly in the US and UK, have little to do with the reality of Australian intelligence.

Berlin attack: security intelligence has limits in preventing truck-borne terror

The Christmas market truck assault in Berlin, which has left 12 dead and dozens injured, is a disturbing echo of the truck-borne attack on Bastille Day celebrants on the Nice promenade in July.

Between the Lines with Tom Switzer: Interview with Peter Dean- US-Australia security treaty under Donald Trump

This year marked the 65th anniversary of the security treaty between Australia and the US. It was also the 50th anniversary of the first presidential visit to Australia: LBJ on the eve of the 1966 federal election. But in the wake of the Donald Trump election is it time to cut the strings and go it alone? A new book looks at Australian perspectives and policy choices, the US role in Asia and the Pacific and the future challenges that our most important relationship may face.

Afraid new world

The election of President Trump brings more uncertainty than direction. His election campaign was in broad strokes, and his radical propositions may yet prove to be merely opening gambits for negotiations. Where foreign policy was concerned, the Middle East received far more attention than Asia.

A global role smashed by US voters

Now we know. For 20 years Australians have been happy to assume that America had the strength and resolve to remain the world's leading power. In particular, our leaders have assured us that we can rely on America's power and judgment to manage China's rise, to keep Asia stable and Australia safe. But now we know that America is not the country we thought it was.