Wheat’s role in Russian naval power
World Naval Developments – September 2018
By Norman Friedman*
This year, as for the past two, Russia is the world’s largest wheat exporter. That recalls...
China’s interest in Manus island
By Malcolm Davis*
Chinese influence in the South Pacific is growing. Through ‘debt-trap diplomacy’, Beijing is extending a spur off its Maritime Silk Road that...
Would US nuclear submarines be a cheaper option?
By Marcus Hellyer*
The conversation about acquiring nuclear-powered submarines continues to bubble along. Some commentators who previously supported acquiring conventional submarines to replace the current...
Manus Island’s strategic importance
By James Goldrick*
The Admiralty Islands lie to the north of New Guinea and are part of Papua New Guinea. The largest island, Manus, possesses...
Climate change, Pacific’s biggest security threat
By Wesley Morgan*
When Pacific island leaders gathered in Nauru this month, they issued a security declaration affirming climate change as the “single greatest threat”...
Restoring Australia’s Pacific media presence
By Kevin McQuillan
The departure of ABC Managing Director Michelle Guthrie just two-and-a-half years into her five-year term reflects the board’s decision to seek "fresh...
McCain’s life and death: an Indian sailor’s musings
August this year marked the passing of former Prime Minister Vajpayee in India and Senator John McCain III in the United States. Their backgrounds...
MTO keeps seaborne trade lanes flowing during Kakadu
A five-member team of Australian and New Zealand Maritime Trade Operations (MTO) personnel provided a vital link to the commercial shipping industry during Kakadu...
ABC reports difficulties with sub project
The ABC is reporting that difficulties over waranties and technology transfers will most likely delay the $50 billion submarine project.
The full article is here.
The cost of defending Taiwan
By Malcolm Davis
Taiwan is a country under siege as it faces the prospect of eventual reunification with China, on China’s terms, and potentially as...