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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

...renewed US focus on the Quad, but it was my intention to try and focus more on the underlying structures and forces that drive alliances and strategic minilaterals as applied to the Quad, so hopefully my analysis and recommendations still stack up. @nscanu.bsky.social @aspi-org.bsky.social

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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

...to its abortive initial attempts at formation, and through the current activities and evolutions of Quad 2.0 to some possible emergent futures – including the risk of it disintegrating once again. Of course, almost inevitably, as soon as I'd submitted my final draft we started to see...

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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

My chapter is entitled "The Quad: A strategic minilateral in search of an enduring role" and, as the name suggests, provides a structured examination of the Quad's experience of evolution, stagnation, and collapse: from its earliest antecedents in disaster relief coordination...

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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

In a very exciting personal milestone, my first book chapter was published today in "Strategy and Airpower in the East and South China Sea: China, the United States, and Great Power Rivalry", part of the Cass Military Studies series from Routledge. www.taylorfrancis.com/books/edit/1...

taylorfrancis.com

Strategy and Airpower in the East and South China Sea | China, the Uni

This book examines the role of airpower in the great power rivalry between the United States (US) and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in the East and South

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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 · 26/07/2026

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.

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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

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".

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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

It's also interesting to see John Healey appointed as Chancellor, too, which you would think increases the likelihood of increased expenditure for defence. www.sbs.com.au/news/article...

sbs.com.au

'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.

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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

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.

sbs.com.au

'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.

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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

My key point: as tactically effective as the US bombing campaign has been, I don't see it significantly moving the dial on Iranian resolve or on bringing the conflict to an enduring, sustainable state of peace, particularly considering how the first months of the campaign played out.

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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

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...

youtube.com

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

YouTube video by ABC News In-depth

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Reposted by David M. Andrews

Richard Dunley @redunley.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

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/

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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

At the same time, our level of defence investment is clearly not commensurate with the responsibilities we've now formalised with respect to PNG and Fiji - as well as the existing commitments to NZ and the US - and there could be more to come if the Ocean of Peace alliance expands.

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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

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?

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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

We may not be a large community, but if you're interested in national security governance and the policymaking pipeline in Australia, I suggest you give it a listen. www.csis.org/podcasts/asi...

csis.org

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.

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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

I found it particularly valuable to hear the comparison of their experiences in different systems, as well as for the peek behind the curtain of how the think tank ecosystem operates in Australia and the US.

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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

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.

csis.org

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.

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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

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!"

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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

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

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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

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

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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Aly's conclusion is similar to that which @redunley.bsky.social reached in his thread from earlier today: bsky.app/profile/redu...

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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

A third piece I commend is this in @thediplomat.com from Biyon Sony Joseph, who emphasises the ways that the Quad is evolving "that are less visible, more functional, and potentially more durable." The layers of engagement, interoperability & policy coordination. thediplomat.com/2026/04/the-...

thediplomat.com

The Quad Isn’t Dead. It’s Just Moved Out of the Spotlight.

Yes, high-level summits are on hiatus. But the group continues to function in ways that are less visible, more functional, and potentially more durable.

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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 · 22/05/2026

I also have a book chapter on the Quad under review at the moment, dealing with very similar themes, so it's good to see some renewed discussion of how to make the Quad work for all members and in the face of so much upheaval in the international order.

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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

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.

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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

For me, the main contributing factors to keep in mind are the defensive responses to Russian and Chinese aggression, as well as countries across Europe refilling their arsenals after providing support to Ukraine, but likewise the downstream effects of the US war against Iran.

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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

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...

youtube.com

Why the world is spending more on weapons than ever before

YouTube video by The Newsmakers

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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

Inevitably there's a lot more that could've been said about two pretty lengthy documents and all their implications, but hopefully it raises a few interesting points or different perspectives for you as we look ahead to the implementation of this next phase of National Defence.

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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

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...

shows.acast.com

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

A podcast by the ANU National Security College

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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

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...

pm.gov.au

Appointment of new Secretary of the Department of Defence

I am pleased to announce I intend to recommend to the Governor-General that she appoint Ms Meghan Quinn PSM as Secretary of the Department of Defence.This is a historic appointment with Ms Quinn becom...

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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

It lays out the historical & strategic context of the treaty, as well as exploring the legal implications of the parties' commitment to consult on matters of "common security" & in response to "adverse challenges to common security" interests. anzsilperspective.com/the-jakarta-...

anzsilperspective.com

The Jakarta Treaty, “Common Security”, and International Law | ANZSIL Perspective

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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

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

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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 · 18/04/2026

"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 🫢

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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

Much more could be said, but that's my rough first reaction for what it's worth. Further thoughts on the specifics of NDS 2026 to come. www.defence.gov.au/about/strate...

defence.gov.au

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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

I appreciate that these are largely questions for other parts of the gov't and bureaucracy to take the lead on, and the May budget will give a good indication of where we're travelling overall. But at the same time, while defence might not be seen a vote winner, it doesn't exist in a vacuum either.

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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

Frustrations around housing & secure jobs, shaped by productivity, inflation, immigration: these forces are driving greater political polarisation & putting social cohesion under strain. Defence exists in that context, not just the international picture of strategic competition & deterrence.

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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

The case can absolutely be, and has been, made for more spending on defence now - NDS26 itself makes that case, as did NDS24 & DSR23 - but there's no shortage of things gov't could spend $ on across lots of portfolios. My qn is how do we square that with the other challenges Australia is facing.

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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

It doesn't mean the government isn't held to account or we ignore where they could've done more or better/differently but nor can we overlook the unfolding inflationary impacts of the Hormuz closure & existing widespread socio-economic pressures when talking about even further increases in defence $

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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

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...

youtube.com

Australia unveils historic defence spending boost | 7NEWS

YouTube video by 7NEWS Australia

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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

Haha true! The perils of character limited posts...and where would any defence organisation be without acronyms? 😉

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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

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

youtube.com

Australia announces first female army chief

YouTube video by SBS News

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David M. Andrews @davidmandrews.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

Maritime capability has become a key relationship and engagement driver for Australian defence policy of late (i.e. AUKUS and Mogami FFGs), so the new CDF is perhaps a sign of how things might look in the upcoming second National Defence Strategy, reportedly due to be released on Thursday.

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