Alliance between Australia–United Kingdom–United States (AUKUS)
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Oceania
Australia plans major defense overhaul to deter CCP military buildup
The Associated Press Australia must raise defense spending, make its own munitions and develop long-range missiles to counter the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) military buildup, according to a government-commissioned report released in late-April 2023. The Defense Strategic Review supports the partnership among Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, known as AUKUS, which in March 2023 announced an agreement…
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Global Commons
Collective dialogue, action critical to addressing global challenges
FORUM Staff A commitment to multilateralism never has been more important as nations increasingly collaborate based on like-minded values and governmental systems to tackle universal challenges such as climate change, pandemics and emerging technologies. The United Nations’ International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace on April 24, 2023, focuses on positive exchanges and accomplishments among nations despite their differences.…
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Partnerships
AUKUS submarine deal promotes regional stability, counters Chinese influence
FORUM Staff An arrangement for Australia to acquire conventionally armed, nuclear-power submarines (SSN) through a trilateral alliance with the United Kingdom and the United States will uphold the highest non-proliferation standard and deliver on a commitment to enhance deterrence and promote stability in the Indo-Pacific, the White House announced in March 2023. New details of the deal emerged following an…
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Key Issues
Showcase of military technology in 2022 displays commitment to innovation in year ahead
FORUM Staff From the debut of the United States’ B-21 Raider stealth bomber to cross-domain trainings on multinational levels, Indo-Pacific nations in 2022 showcased their commitments to military technology advances and articulated plans to expand innovation in the year ahead. One of the biggest announcements came from the U.S., which introduced the B-21 Raider, pictured, in December. It marked the…
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Key Issues
An Indo-Pacific view: 5 key issues to watch in 2023
FORUM Staff A year that erupted with seismic events — one geological, the other geopolitical — rumbled to its close with war still raging in Europe but also with the forging of partnerships for peace in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. Just weeks after an underwater volcano in the Pacific Ocean’s Ring of Fire spewed an immense cloud of ash and…
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Features
Rising Relationships
Dr. Alfred Oehlers Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies The past year saw much media coverage of newer strategic partnerships in the Indo-Pacific. The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad — whose members are Australia, India, Japan and the United States — continued to figure prominently, with September 2021 witnessing further maturation of this forum with the first Quad…
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Conflicts - Tensions
A Unified Multidomain Solution
INDIAN ARMY MAJ. GEN. (RET.) S B ASTHANA During a conversation with United States President Joe Biden, Chinese Communist Party (CCP) General Secretary Xi Jinping attempted to create the impression that a bipolar world order exists. Xi’s aggressive posturing during that November 2021 virtual summit was likely rejuvenated by his unchallenged mandate in the sixth plenary session of the CCP’s…
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Key Issues
Australia Foreign Minister: AUKUS pact won’t create nuclear-armed Australia
FORUM Staff Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has made it clear that a security pact known as AUKUS with the United Kingdom and the United States will not result in a nuclear-armed Australia. “We are not a nuclear power. There are nuclear powers in the region, but Australia is not one of them,” Wong said in late June 2022, according…
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Key Issues
Australia, neighbors encourage unity on Pacific matters
The Associated Press Australia’s foreign minister urged Pacific Island neighbors to focus on their shared challenges of global strategic competition, climate change and COVID-19, after the Micronesian state of Kiribati split from the 18-nation Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in a blow to regional harmony. Foreign Minister Penny Wong, speaking in Suva, Fiji, ahead of a PIF leaders’ summit in mid-July…
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