Group items tagged

Sydney Morning Herald article: Australia has committed to tightening defence co-operation with Japan as American-led efforts to widen and tighten alliances in the face of a rising China are drawing new controversy.

Minister of Defence speaking in the US on the importance of Australian and American defence links with India, China, Indonesia, Japan and South Korea

Explains the reasons behind the Five Power Defence Arrangement, Australia's role and the future of the Arrangement

The FPDA, conceived as a consultative framework for the joint defence of Malaysia and Singapore, has proved to be an effective psychological deterrent. It has evolved into an area defence system that continues to be relevant and beneficial to the region.

Australian Minister for Defence talks about the Asia Pacific Century and the benefits for Chine

Current operations that the Australian Defence Force are involved in

Sydney Morning Herald article: The shift of global economic weight and strategic competition to the Indo-Pacific region means it is essential the Australian Defence Force's military force is focused on engagement to our north in both the south Pacific and south-east Asia.

Scroll down to section on 'security and defence'.

Vijay Naidu of the University of the South Pacific argues that the Australian Defence White Paper 2009 "does not successfully incorporate Australia's foreign and economic policies in its immediate neighbourhood as a possible source of instability and security risk.

An interview with Australian ambassador Kim Beazley to the US is presented. Beazley mentions that the Indo-Pacific region bring together Indian Ocean and Asia Pacific in terms of politics and economy. She adds that Five Power Defence Arrangement (FPDA) provides Australia's faith and commitment to the Asia-Pacific region. She believes that Australia plays an important role in providing regional cooperation in the Indian Ocean regional zone.