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David M. Andrews

@davidmandrews.bsky.social
790 followers 993 following 262 posts

✍️🎙🎧 on defence, international security, foreign policy, alliances, and the politics of national security | fmr. ANU NSC, Australian Department of Defence | Ps 46 | 🇦🇺 in 🇮🇩

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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
It's now "website official" - I've joined @latrobe.edu.au Centre for Global Security as an Adjunct Research Fellow, in addition to my existing roles and affiliations. It's a great pleasure to be back at La Trobe again alongside this very impressive array of boffins (respectfully).
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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Great to meet @fmalufti.bsky.social of CSIS Indonesia & @jatosint.bsky.social this afternoon! It's a fantastic source for everything happening in Indonesian defence. For those in JKT (or passing through) working on defence, security, and foreign policy topics, let me know - I'd love to connect 🇦🇺🤝🇮🇩
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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Some reflections from me on the last part of the discussion from the latest "Australia in the World" with @limdarrenj.bsky.social @stephendziedzic.bsky.social concerning alliances, the nature of broader security ties and commitments, and informal / quasi-formal partnerships.
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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
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.
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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
Another considered perspective from one of India's leading international security experts, C Raja Mohan, who offers these thoughts as part of a wider analysis of India's need for a "first principles" foreign policy reset. indianexpress.com/article/opin...
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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
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!
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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
"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?"
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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
The bilateral alliance is acknowledged as having a regional dimension, "inextricably linked with the security of the broader Pacific region." This will be enacted through increased regional force interoperability and support for combined ops, activities, and maritime activities.
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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
Relatedly, this includes pursuing co-development, production, and sustainment; and focusing on the increased shared logistics, sustainment, and training opportunities that come from common operating platforms.
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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
Importantly, the allies have committed to "operate and exercise as a more integrated Anzac force" and "employ common and complementary capabilities...including strike...autonomous systems, maritime and air platforms and equipment, and land systems".
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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
Anzac 2035 includes increased force posture cooperation as well as the establishment of a bilateral Force Posture Working Group "to develop recommendations to advance force posture cooperation."
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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
My favourite little security framework, the Five Power Defence Arrangements, appropriately rates a mention, as well as NATO IP4 and Five Eyes.
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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
Further points in the Joint Statement on China's actions in the South China Sea and with regard to Taiwan and Xinjiang.
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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
Sticking with the Joint Statement, there were a few interesting snippets in the context of recent PLA-N maritime activities near Australia and in the Southwest Pacific.
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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
DefMins Marles & Collins also released the Anzac 2035 Vision Statement to operationalise Closer Defence Relations, encompassing force posture activities; combined ops & exercises; force preparedness, resilience, and defence industry integration; and Pacific security initiatives.
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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Phase 1 of the books have arrived, and interim desk is set up. Starting to feel more settled into Jakarta. 🇦🇺🇮🇩
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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
A lovely penultimate afternoon in Sydney at Greenwich Baths, but even more importantly given my birding proclivities, we were graced by an osprey gliding over the harbour bays - my first ever sighting in the wild 🤩
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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 30/12/2025
Teach them young, the ways of Age of Empires 2. "Mandaten...Fisk...Gaderer."
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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 24/12/2025
Happy Christmas, all! ✝️
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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
The final stage of packing up the house ahead of the move to Indonesia: getting my Warhammer minis ready to travel. Stay strong, brothers - for the Lion! 🫣🤞
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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
In what may be my last in-person engagement on staff @nscanu.bsky.social, it feels fitting that it's for our 15th anniversary celebrations: joining @rorymedcalf.bsky.social, current & former colleagues; students; exec ed alums to reflect on all that's been built in that time & looking ahead to 2040.
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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
Always a delight to be back on Monocle Radio, this time with Vincent McAviney to discuss the new Australia-Indonesia security treaty, the prospects of an Indo-Pacific NATO, and Australian defence spending. My segment starts at 32:00
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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 02/11/2025
What a joy to begin the week, and my last month working in Canberra (for now), at the Australian National Prayer Breakfast hearing my friend @johnpauldickson.bsky.social teaching from Romans 12:11-18. Conviction and compassion. Zeal united with grace, empathy, and joy. Rejoice in hope.
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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
Picking up on this point from Rory Medcalf, I've also been struck by the very explicit "interests-forward" framing of the alliance that Labor has set out over the last year. It's a real shift, not only from the Abbott/Hockey era, but I'd say Howard/Downer, too.
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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 05/02/2025
This is the kind of direct - and accurate - headline writing that these circumstances require. Don't obfuscate, don't euphemise.
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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 20/01/2025
The true duality of LinkedIn - have you considered that you might simultaneously be suited to a position as either a relatively junior analyst or a Commonwealth department head? 🤔😂
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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
A bit slow on the uptake on my part, but it was a privilege to be interviewed for this recent article in Tempo about the future role of Indonesia in the Indo-Pacific and US-China relations in Southeast Asia. www.tempo.co/internasiona...
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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
There was much more said, including parliamentary vs. presidential systems, the make-up of the Australian and US bureaucracies, the APS's unique expertise and advisory functions, and a few prominent individuals' cases...including @dieworkwear.bsky.social
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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 12/10/2024
Hello there, national institutions! #CBR
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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 20/07/2024
The little fella's first chance to watch a Wallabies game live - nice to have one during the day! 🦘🏉
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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 21/05/2024
A defence/espionage adventure novel by a first-time Aussie author who's also a fellow ANU SDSC Masters graduate? This deserves a read!
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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 19/04/2024
4. Five Eyes is not specified as an "intelligence-sharing partnership" (a common way of describing it in the past), possibly suggesting the broader, evolving concept of FVEY is being embraced by this government too?
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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 19/04/2024
3. This is the only mention of the Quad in the NDS (§7.30). Seems much more central in DFAT characterisations of Australia's foreign policy.
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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 19/04/2024
Some minor points of interest from the National Defence Strategy: 1. A timely reminder that NZ is, other than the US, Australia's only formal treaty ally. 2. My fave underappreciated security institution, the Five Power Defence Arrangements, gets front billing in the Southeast Asia section.
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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 31/03/2024
"Thine be the glory, risen, conqu'ring Son; endless is the vict'ry Thou o’er death hast won."
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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 29/03/2024
"God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through him. So let us bring the needs of the whole world to the foot of the cross of Christ."
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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 12/03/2024
Secondly, on Australia-China ties, must China be either "a complex relationship to be managed" or "a threat to be confronted"? Would not the dominant framing of "complex" also include the prospect of threat?
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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 12/03/2024
Interestingly, a subsequent question on the defence budget notes that half of respondents believe its share of spending is right. That doesn't strike me as a particular condemnation of defence priorities.
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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 12/03/2024
My biggest frustration is that the two most consequential questions are shaped by false dichotomies. First, must Australia be either "primarily a US ally" or an "independent middle power with influence in the Asia-Pacific"?
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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 05/03/2024
When in Australian capitals, one must visit the State Library and squint against the grandeur...
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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 04/03/2024
It has been a great privilege to participate in the maritime cooperation track of the 2024 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit. Congratulations to the whole organising team on a fantastic event! Read more about the Special Summit here: aseanaustralia.pmc.gov.au
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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 27/01/2024
Percy is here to make sure I keep writing - blocking any attempts to move my chair away from the desk with his powerful snooze attack.
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