Publications

Twelve months ago the Australian government released its new Cyber Security Strategy. So, how well has it been implemented so far, particularly when it comes to 1) establishing a strong cyber defense; 2) assuming greater global responsibilities and influence; 3) promoting...chevron_right

This paper briefly examines the 22 March 2017 terrorist attack in London, primarily to determine what lessons Australia can learn from the assault. The text’s authors specifically review 1) the low-tech tactics used in the attack; 2) the ‘strategic messaging’ of the...chevron_right

This report provides a conceptual framework for the roles cybersecurity and information security techniques should play in modern-day elections. The text’s author use the 2016 US Presidential election as a case study to explore what they see as a new norm – election...chevron_right

This report examines border security in Europe and contends that irregular migration and terrorism have placed unprecedented pressures on the EU’s freedom of movement policies, which distinguish between internal and external borders. The text’s author specifically looks at...chevron_right

What insights might Australia draw from a recent MITRE Corporation report on how to establish a national unclassified cyber information sharing network in the United States? While grappling with this question, the text’s author also 1) reviews existing cyber...chevron_right

This report offers a comprehensive assessment of Australia’s Defense Budget for 2017-2018. After establishing the relevant strategic, economic, political and fiscal contexts, the text’s author goes on to explore 1) the funding promises made by the 2016 Defense White...chevron_right

This report 1) analyzes the report “Fractured Europe: The Schengen Area and European Border Security,” through Australian and ASEAN border security lens; 2) provides recommendations for Australian border security policymakers, based on the Schengen community’s...chevron_right

Who will ultimately dominate Sunni Islam in the Middle East and how effective will Shia Muslims and others be in preventing the unification of the Sunni Arab World? These questions will take decades of violent conflict to resolve, argues Einat Wilf...chevron_right

This report reviews the issues discussed at the 2nd Australia-Europe Counter-terrorism Dialogue, which took place in November 2016. The topics addressed here include 1) the factors that foster and create violent extremism, and what might be done to...chevron_right

This report contends that Australia faces an increasingly crowded and complex geopolitical environment in the South Pacific region. While the most important external powers in this part of the world have traditionally been Australia, New Zealand, the US and France, a number of new powers are becoming increasingly active, most notably...chevron_right

As the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) prepares to embark on major submarine and frigate shipbuilding programs, a question about the projected service lives of these systems becomes critical. Indeed, what’s preferable – a 30-year program with...chevron_right

This brief focuses on the February 2017 arrest of an ISIS sympathizer in Young, Australia. (The individual was reportedly trying to develop missile guidance systems and technologies that detect and jam military laser-guided munitions.) The text’s authors reviews...chevron_right

This report examines how Myanmar abandoned its nuclear research program and subsequently embraced key elements of the non-proliferation regime. The report’s author specifically provides 1) a historical review of Myanmar’s troubled past with nuclear nonproliferation, including its relationship with North Korea; 2) an analysis of the government’s 2011 ‘change of heart’, and eventual...chevron_right

This report reviews the dialogue Australian and US stakeholders conducted in late 2016 on cybersecurity issues and how to manage them more effectively. The specific topics that are addressed include 1) general cybersecurity cooperation in the Asia-Pacific; 2) the fight against cybercrime in the region; and 3) how to advance secure digital economies. To facilitate further...chevron_right

This report looks at 112 cases where individuals were caught up in ISIS-inspired terrorist plans or offenses in the United States. After sifting through the data, the text’s authors arrived at counterintuitive conclusions – i.e., the terrorist wannabes were...chevron_right