Chris Barrie – The Conversation

Incoming Australian Defence Force Chief David Johnston. Lukas Coch/AAP

April 10, 2024

With only two years on the contract, incoming Australian Defence Force Chief David Johnston has a lot of work to do

Chris Barrie, Australian National University

Vice Admiral David Johnston comes into the leadership role with a lot of experience and a good reputation, but many challenges await him.

Climate change is expected to increase the severity of natural disasters in the Asia-Pacific region, straining Australia’s ability to respond through humanitarian missions and fuelling more climate migration. Vlad Sokhin/UNICEF handout

October 7, 2019

Climate change poses a ‘direct threat’ to Australia’s national security. It must be a political priority

Chris Barrie, Australian National University

A Senate report recommended several measures the government should take to prepare for climate-fuelled migration, natural disasters and conflicts. The response so far has been underwhelming.

As part of Australia’s naval upgrade, construction of 12 future submarines will start around 2022-23. Brendan Esposito/AAP

October 17, 2018

Australia’s naval upgrade may not be enough to keep pace in a fast‑changing region

Chris Barrie, Australian National University

Compared to China’s naval ambitions, we seem slow-moving and complacent and lack the agility to keep up with the times.

South Korea’s subtly calibrated risk aversion in the face of outrageous North Korean aggression has kept the two countries from war. EPA/KCNA

July 12, 2017

Is the world really sleepwalking to war? Systems thinking can provide an answer

Roger Bradbury, Australian National University; Chris Barrie, Australian National University, and Dmitry Brizhinev, Australian National University

An aggressive posture is one thing – but doing something about it is another, as countries factor in the costs and risks of aggression.

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