By Andrew Smith Development of Australia’s Defence White Paper 2015, formally announced in April, has been under way for over four months. It is worth taking stock of the process thus far. In announcing the White Paper, Prime Minister Tony…
By Kriti Sapra Not only is the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), a jihadist group which seeks to establish an Islamic caliphate in parts of Iraq and Syria, making waves in the Middle East, increasingly it is worrying…
Who is he? Lt. Gen. Gregorio Catapang Jr., 55, is the newly appointed Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), replacing General Emmanuel Bautista who served for 18 months – the longest term of any chief…
By Nigel Cory Malaysia’s counter-terrorism record is commendable. The country has never had a terrorist attack on its home soil akin to the deadly 2002 Bali bombings in neighboring Indonesia. This success is mostly due to hard work and cooperation…
By Zachary Abuza King Bhumipol Ayulyadej on July 22 endorsed the interim charter submitted by National Commission on Peace and Order (NCPO) chief Gen. Prayuth Chan-Ocha. The terse interim charter has come under significant fire for allowing the junta to…
By Thomas Jandl China’s peaceful rise is over. Beijing’s recent aggressive behavior in the oceans to its south and east give the lie to the previously cultivated narrative. China’s claims to vast stretches of open water are not grounded in…
Who is he? Mark William Lippert is currently the special assistant to the Secretary of Defense Charles Hagel. Immediately prior to his current position, Mr. Lippert served as the assistant secretary of defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs (2012-2013).…
By Michael Montesano In Part I of this blog published on June 13, 2014, the author argued that it is not for the United States to intervene in Thai affairs to determine the future of Thailand. He writes that the…
Who is he? Ajit Doval is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s newly appointed national security advisor. A long-time intelligence operative and highly-decorated police officer, he formerly served as director of the Intelligence Bureau, India’s primary internal intelligence agency. Mr. Doval takes…
By Michael Montesano The operations of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) junta since its seizure of power in Thailand on May 22 have taken both foreign observers and many Thais aback, in both their tone and their…
