Both sides are refusing to acknowledge that we will soon be faced with some very difficult strategic foreign policy challenges, writes Ben Eltham in Online Opinion.

How can we transform the risk of breakdown into an opportunity for renewal? Thomas Homer-Dixon explores the possibilities for positive change in this extract from ‘The Upside of Down: Catastrophe, Creativity, and the Renewal of Civilization’.

We need to look beyond the economic argument for enriching uranium, argues Marko Beljac, and consider the implications for nuclear non-proliferation and regional stability

Australia’s defence policy think tank is serving tax-payers poorly. It’s time for a strategic rethink, argues Ben Eltham.

Recognition of culture, stronger regional relationships and leadership by example can make Australia’s engagement in the Pacific more effective, writes Michael Dillon.

Before the federal government arms up for the recolonisation of the region, it should take a look at the new proposal for a United Nations Emergency Peace Service, write Annie Herro and Stuart Rees.

This week saw a minor flare-up in Australian defence politics, with the release of a video of Australian troops misbehaving in Iraq.

Apart from demonstrating yet again the power of user-generated media websites like YouTube to become powerful news sources in their own right, the episode also showed how hard it is going to be for Prime Minister John Howard to meet his target of 2,600 extra troops for the Australian Army.

A new generation of multicultural policies focused on getting rid of the ‘ethnic ceiling’ is needed to ensure the success of the next round of skilled migration, writes Klaas Woldring