My toddler (all toddlers?) is like an anime character. Sprints everywhere or collapses in a huff. Goes feral for food. Emotes his sentences wildly or delivers quiet monlogues to himself. He's never seen Naruto but did actually do the run for a while.

After a long period of radio/meeting silence, it's good to see some energy back in the Quad. No meetings at the Ministerial or Leader level for a year, and now possibly three FMMs of one variety or another in ~8 months if, as Marco Rubio has suggested, "we will meet again later this year".

I spoke to SBS News yesterday about the potential impacts for AUKUS of the appointment of Andy Burnham as UK PM. In short: I see no reason to doubt that the UK remains fully invested in AUKUS, both for strategic and domestic political/industrial reasons.

'Ceases to be a nuclear power': The high-stakes deal the new UK PM inherits

Andy Burnham has inherited a major AUKUS commitment with Australia. Whether Britain can deliver it is another question.

sbs.com.au

I made my @news.abc.net.au "730" debut last night, discussing the recent breakdown in the US-Iran ceasefire. It was an honour to be part of Australia's premier political analysis program & contribute in some small measure. @nscanu.bsky.social @aspi-org.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PeF...

Trump's strategy on Iran leaves the world in limbo | 7.30

YouTube video by ABC News In-depth

youtube.com

The 2026 Public Attitudes towards the ADF survey by the War Studies Research Group at UNSW Canberra has just been released. It follows up & expands on the 2025 survey assessing what the public think of Defence & the ADF. Here are a few highlights. www.unsw.edu.au/content/dam/... 1/

I know I'm predisposed to be interested in the new Australia-Fiji alliance, but it really strikes me as a remarkable development in the context of security agreements, middle powers, and Australian foreign policy. Where else has a middle power pursued such an extensive vision of regional security?

ABC News Australia@news.abc.net.au · last mo.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese poised to sign major new treaty with Fiji

Today I caught up on this episode of The Asia Chessboard from May with Mike Green & Justin Bassi @aspi-org.bsky.social reflecting on their previous careers as senior government advisors and now as the heads of two of Australia's largest national security think tanks.

Grand Strategy Down Under | The Asia Chessboard | CSIS Podcasts

Mike sits down with Justin Bassi to examine Australia’s latest 2026 National Defence Strategy and what it reveals about Canberra’s evolving strategic outlook.

csis.org

3yo has (not inaccurately) announced "Rugby is daddy's favourite sport! I want to watch rugby!" and then proceeds to shout "Come on, rugby!" at the highlights package. Big 'Rob Lowe at the Superbowl wearing an NFL logo hat' energy. Next step: "He's been doing it all day, sir!"

Just drove past a pretty sizeable One Nation street stall in Lane Cove, of all places. Wild times...

My 3yr old at 930pm last night, still not going to sleep: "Who's that Pokemon?...SQUIRTLE!"

I highly recommend Waleed Aly's most recent column addressing the politics of AUKUS, including the reaction to the updated optimal pathway, people’s inquiry & the reasons why its origins still loom over today’s debates. The conclusion stood out to me especially.

A very good article here by India's former Foreign Secretary, Vijay Gokhale, making the case for a reassessment of the Quad. Looking forward to seeing what happens at the Foreign Ministers' Meeting next week: the first in a year after two FMM in the first six months of Trump's term.

Carnegie India@carnegieindia.bsky.social · 3mo ago

"With U.S now increasingly disinterested in the quadrilateral grouping, does it serve India’s interests to hang on? As Trump & Xi summit today, New Delhi must take a hard call." ✍️Vijay Gokhale in The Times of India. buff.ly/AM53PGS

Last night I joined TRT World on "The Newsmakers" to discuss the causes and consequences of the recent uptick in global military expenditure, as reported by @sipri.org. @nscanu.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BXw...

Why the world is spending more on weapons than ever before

YouTube video by The Newsmakers

youtube.com

Back on the #NatSecPod for the first time since handing over the reins ~6 months ago, but this time I'm there as a guest! This week's episode of the @nscanu.bsky.social podcast is all about the 2026 National Defence Strategy. Have a listen here for the full chat 👇 shows.acast.com/the-national...

2026 National Defence Strategy: evolution, not revolution | The National Security Podcast

A podcast by the ANU National Security College

shows.acast.com

Good to see the announcement of a new Secretary of Defence: Meghan Quinn PSM, the current Secretary of the Department of Industry, Science, and Resources. Coming from DISR is notable to me, given the industrial dimensions of "National Defence" in NDS26. www.pm.gov.au/media/appoin...

In a small foray into inter-disciplinary co-publication, I have a piece out today with @anzsil.org on the Australia-Indonesia Treaty on Common Security ("the Jakarta Treaty") alongside my @nscanu.bsky.social friend and colleague @irelandpiper.bsky.social

Did our first touristy thing in Jakarta today (only took us four months) and got occasionally bailed up by school kids for photos / vox pops with the bule including a grilling on what culture means to Aussies for some high schoolers' sociology class!

"The Fat Controller" is a dangerous phrase for toddlers to pronounce if they're not really hitting their T's as my charming progeny may or may not be doing 🫢

I'm taking the weekend to properly re-read & reflect on the new 2026 National Defence Strategy, but @aspi-org.bsky.social Mike's comments 👇 are the only acknowledgment I've seen of the broader politico-economic circumstances that these decisions have occurred within. www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7eZ...

Australia unveils historic defence spending boost | 7NEWS

YouTube video by 7NEWS Australia

youtube.com

I'm grateful for the opportunity to contribute to two stories from SBS News yesterday on Australia's next steps in manufacturing & exporting long-range guided munitions, as well as some brief comments on the Defence leadership announcements. youtube.com/watch?v=P3IywHlk2z8&themeRefresh=1

Australia announces first female army chief

YouTube video by SBS News

youtube.com

Congratulations to all the new appointees as CDF, CN, and CA - VADM Mark Hammond, RADM Matt Buckley, and LTGEN Susan Coyle. There's a clear maritime flavour, with a second successive Navy CDF, as well as strong continuity from the Joint world into the services given CA's time as CJC.

Look, I know, dealing with the big topics here, but as much as I love marmalade...kaya is this close to pipping it as my top breakfast toast spread 🤏

"What looks to be the worst oil crisis in history, accelerating the rise of the far right, presaging a(nother) global recession and mass food shortages in the global south, you say?"

Great news for Pacific rugby and Australia's ongoing role in the region. Wildly disproportionate funding going to one sporting code is not the way to go, so I'm glad to see the government listening to Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga and acting accordingly. www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-...

Pacific leaders lobby Australia for rugby cash splash after NRL deal

The $150 million sports diplomacy deal is being sought by Fiji, Tonga and Samoa as the Albanese government bankrolls rugby league in the region to counter China.

smh.com.au

Today marked the third Australia-New Zealand Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultations (ANZMIN 2+2) alongside separate ForMin and DefMin Meetings as the allies celebrate the 75th anniversary of the ANZUS Treaty. A few highlights to follow in this thread 🧵👇

Recommended listening: this discussion between @ruthgamble.bsky.social @nickbisley.bsky.social @danielflitton.bsky.social for La Trobe Asia to launch Nick's new book "Asian Crucible: Globalization, Geopolitics and the Contest for the Future". open.spotify.com/episode/5xdi...

Book Launch: Asian Crucible: Globalization, Geopolitics and the Contest for the Future

open.spotify.com

I've been reflecting a lot over the last week on Australia's decision to contribute forces to defending UAE and other Gulf states from Iran's drone and ballistic missile attacks and the assertion that Australia is therefore 'at war' and a 'party to the conflict'.

I'm praying for friends in my old homes of Jordan and Kuwait, for all people across the Middle East, and longing for the day when the words of Psalm 46 will be fulfilled. "He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire."

Another pair of articles on this topic which I highly recommend, in this case both from the @lowyinstitute.bsky.social www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre... www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre... @connorpobrien.bsky.social @quahsayjye.bsky.social

Mark Carney is wrong about the rules-based order

Declaring the system a fiction ignores real achievements and only makes it easier for big powers to demand their way.

lowyinstitute.org

David M. Andrews@davidmandrews.bsky.social · 7mo ago

I've expanded on my reasons why in my blog, but in short, there's a major disconnect between between the diagnosis of the problem and the proposed solutions which are...what middle powers are already doing? Have a read and let me know what you think! davidmandrews.com/2026/01/22/c...

On this topic, and for similar concerns articulated at greater length and in more comprehensive and compelling terms, I would also strongly recommend @limdarrenj.bsky.social most recent episode of "Australia in the World", especially pt.2 from 9.00-16.30. www.podbean.com/pw/pbblog-wr...

David M. Andrews@davidmandrews.bsky.social · 7mo ago

I've expanded on my reasons why in my blog, but in short, there's a major disconnect between between the diagnosis of the problem and the proposed solutions which are...what middle powers are already doing? Have a read and let me know what you think! davidmandrews.com/2026/01/22/c...