With the Defence Review Now Done, Questions Still Remain
Commentary
Australia faces the most dangerous and uncertain region since the Second World War. This is the stark conclusion of the Defence Strategic Review which was released on the eve of ANZAC Day.
The conclusion is not new: co-author, Sir Angus Houston, 75, the former Chief of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), said previously that it is the most dangerous era in his lifetime.
“China’s military build-up is now the largest and most ambitious of any country since the end of the Second World War,” wrote the authors.
“This has occurred alongside significant economic development, benefitting many countries in the Indo-Pacific, including Australia. This build-up is occurring without transparency or reassurance to the Indo-Pacific region of China’s strategic intent….