The compendium brings together articles published over the past 12 months, examining the most significant strategic, operational, technological and economic challenges facing Australia at a consequential moment in its history. The volume reflects the breadth of the challenges confronting Australia across five thematic parts: strategy and deterrence, regional security, Taiwan, capabilities and defence spending.

A compendium of analytical perspectives examining why the preservation of the status quo in the Taiwan Strait is so critical to Indo-Pacific peace and prosperity. The essays explore Taiwan’s economic centrality, its democratic identity and the strategic dynamics that shape its future. They also provide a framework for thinking about deterrence, resilience and preparedness.

Australians are spending more on music than ever before, but less is going to Australian artists. Policy support matters – Australia’s arts funding is among the lowest in the developed world. United States artists dominate Australian charts, but the example of Taiwan shows what better support for the arts can do.

This report explores Beijing’s growing use of military coercion against Taiwan, detailing events around Asia’s most volatile flashpoint. It examines how Beijing frames its claim to Taiwan, the coercive and military tools it increasingly wields, how Taipei is responding to mounting pressure, and how other governments are managing the growing risk of confrontation.

This report addresses the increasing strategic risks and geopolitical tensions surrounding the Taiwan Strait, which have direct and significant implications for Australia’s national security, economic stability and social cohesion. The Taiwan Strait is no longer a remote concern; it sits at the heart of Australia’s strategic conversations about its future in the Indo-Pacific region.