Independent Strategic Analysis of Australia’s Global Interests

All posts by FDI Team

Good News and Challenges for the ANC as South Africa Heads into Election Season

Key Points President Cyril Ramaphosa has worked to distance his government from the scandals, corruption and mismanagement that characterised the tenure of his predecessor, Jacob Zuma. As el

China’s Agricultural Development Path is Unlikely to Combat Population Pressures and Dangerous Farming Practices

Background According to China’s latest policy statement, the country plans to expand its agricultural reforms, to bolster its rural economy in 2019. The statement, which comes at a time when China

What Will More Submarines Mean for South-East Asia?

Background There have been a number of recent developments in South-East Asia concerning submarine technology. On 18 February, Singapore launched the first of four Invincible-class submarines (Type 2

Food and Fuel Self-Sufficiency Policies Debated in Indonesian Presidential Race

Background Indonesia is about to receive its first payment as part of a US$1 billion forest preservation agreement, which it signed with Norway in 2010. When the deal was signed, most Indonesian emis

China in Central Asia: How to Contain India

Background A recent FDI examination of China’s build-up of its military forces in Tibet showed that the “3+1” project posed a potential problem for India’s security. It is quite likely that C

India and Pakistan: Pulwama and the Continuation of War by Other Means

Key Points Pakistan-based militants attacked a convoy of Indian police personnel in Kashmir, killing at least forty people. Prime Minister Modi is under much pressure to retaliate against Pa

Indonesia: Threats and Challenges to Domestic Security

21 February 2019 | Indonesia, Strategic Analysis Paper
Key Points The frequency of terrorist incidents has reached a plateau, but the growing influence of extremism will prove to be difficult to manage. Separatism, especially in West Papua, coul

China’s “3 + 1 Project”: Should India Worry?

Background China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is said to be upgrading a civilian airport in Lhasa in Tibet by constructing a new runway. China also plans to construct three new airports – a

Conflicts over Access to Land will Remain a Major Problem for the Nigerian Government

Background Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari was elected in 2015, promising to improve security, reduce corruption and rejuvenate the economy. At the time, Boko Haram, an Islamist group based in th

Offshore Gas Condensate Discovery Could be a “Game-Changer” for South Africa

Background The discovery of a large field of gas condensate (a light crude oil) off the southern coast of South Africa by French oil major Total, has been lauded as a potential ‘game-changer’ for

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