Let’s be clear: China would call America’s bluff in the South China Sea
By Hugh White*
It seems to be widely agreed that Washington’s current policy of well-worn talking points and low-key FONOPS in the South China Sea...
Making sense of the known unknowns in South China Sea
By Ely Ratner*
I'd like to thank Hugh White for his continued thoughtfulness and collegiality in our ongoing exchange on the South China Sea. ...
Australia, US and NZ military co-operation augurs well
By Greg Colton
LAST month a combined force from five allied nations, including a fleet of 33 warships and submarines, over 200 aircraft and more than 33,000 military personnel, defeated an ‘enemy force’ in 20 locations across northern Australia. The enemy, of course, was an imaginary one and the battle was a military exercise, Talisman Sabre 17, but its successful conclusion raises some interesting questions about future co-operation between the US, Australia and New Zealand. A possible scenario for the USS Fitzgerald collision
By Matthew Harper*
How could USS Fitzgerald allow itself to be hit by ACX Crystal in open water, in clear weather conditions and in relatively light traffic? I am as stunned as both experienced mariners and the average person alike and will not claim to know the answer. I hope that some mitigating factor comes to light, but I am afraid that it will be a relatively simple answer, human error. Repsol suspends oil project in disputed sea off Vietnam
SPANISH oil giant Repsol said it has suspended a multi-million-dollar oil exploration project in an area of the South China Sea off Vietnam claimed...
World naval developments July 2017
By Norman Friedman*
IN July the North Koreans finally launched their long-expected intercontinental ballistic missile. Instead of setting a normal long-range trajectory, they chose to loft their missiles, so that they fell fairly close to Korea – though probably not within range of recovery. Those watching had to guess how far the missiles could have flown. New memorial to recognise lost submariners
A major milestone in the history of Australian submarines and those who served in them will be recognised in a special ceremony on Sydney...






