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Nicola Smith

@niccijsmith.bsky.social
2.3K followers 1.2K following 262 posts

Foreign affairs and defence correspondent at the Australian Financial Review. Previously in 🇰🇷, 🇹🇼,🇮🇳for the Telegraph and Sunday Times

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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 9h
Australia has emerged as the third-largest target globally for North Korean hackers and ranks 11th overall for the volume and frequency of state-sponsored and criminal cyber intrusions hitting both the public and private sectors, says a new Microsoft report www.afr.com/politics/fed...
afr.com
Australia among top three targets for North Korean hackers
Home Affairs has urged all Australians to improve their cyber hygiene by managing privacy settings, upgrading software and using multi-factor authentication.
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
How is Australia navigating what’s been repeatedly described as the most complex and threatening strategic environment since the end of World War II? The Australian Financial Review spoke to the nation’s top defence leadership to find out. Story below: www.afr.com/policy/forei...
afr.com
‘My job is to assume things get worse,’ says our new defence chief
War is the father of innovation. But how well prepared is Australia to fight a war amid the revolution of AI?
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
The nation’s cyber intelligence chief has warned that training artificial intelligence models on home soil is critical to safeguard national security, but Anthropic says its investment in Australia hinges on the government’s decisions on copyright. www.afr.com/politics/fed...
afr.com
Spy warning traps Labor in AI bind
Labor is caught in a bind as Anthropic warns that the nation will miss out on a significant portion of its planned investment unless copyright laws are changed.
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
National security fears were a driving force behind Anthony Albanese’s pivot to a more interventionist approach to artificial intelligence, and cyber experts and the opposition warn that Australia must redouble its efforts to master the technology www.afr.com/politics/fed...
afr.com
National security concerns drove Labor’s pivot on AI
As the technology increasingly encroaches on defence capabilities, cyber experts and the opposition warn that Australia must redouble its efforts to master it.
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
Even as Beijing’s launch of a nuclear-capable missile shocked the Pacific, experts warn Australia must keep fighting to retain its upper hand in soft power diplomacy www.afr.com/politics/fed...
afr.com
Missiles and charm offensives: Australia’s urgent Pacific test
Even as Beijing’s launch of a nuclear-capable missile shocked the Pacific, experts warn Australia must fight to retain its upper hand in soft power diplomacy.
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Australia, New Zealand and Japan have denounced China’s test launch of a long-range ballistic missile carrying a dummy warhead from a nuclear-powered submarine into the Pacific, with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong describing it as destabilising for the region www.afr.com/politics/fed...
afr.com
Australia rebukes China as sub launches ballistic missile in Pacific
Chinese state media on Monday confirmed its navy successfully test-launched a strategic missile from a nuclear submarine.
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Restaurant have predicted an industry bloodbath and warned of a sharp increase in menu prices as the besieged hospitality sector struggles to pay for a 4.75 per cent award wage rise on top of existing economic pressures and the fallout from the Middle East war. www.afr.com/politics/fed...
afr.com
Prices to rise in restaurant ‘bloodbath’ as wage hike hits
Restaurant owners, the construction industry and childcare providers warn they cannot absorb higher wage costs on top of existing economic pressures.
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Data centres in Australia say the introduction of tougher penalties and tighter supply chain checks by the govt to beef up national security obligations could deter AI investment, but experts say they must do more to protect critical national assets www.afr.com/politics/fed...
afr.com
National security for data centres a ‘risk to investment’
Operators say tighter controls may deter investors, but their protests have been rebuffed amid rising geopolitical and cybersecurity tensions.
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
Perks for top Canberra bureaucrats, including business-class flights, generous relocation fees and airport lounge access, may be curbed and wages frozen under the biggest remuneration review in 15 years of the highest rungs of Australia’s public service. www.afr.com/politics/fed...
afr.com
‘Don’t think they should be paid more than PM’: Bureaucrats face cuts
Public sector executives face potential salary freezes and cuts to business-class benefits in the biggest evaluation in 15 years.
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
“Twenty of the Epstein survivors recently released a statement saying that information about them was included in the latest file release, “while the men who abused us remain hidden and protected”” www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Never forget Epstein’s little helpers – the powerful men who knew about his crimes, and helped him out anyway | Marina Hyde
I’m sorry, but this is not just a political scandal. Time to refocus on the horrific mistreatment of women and girls, and the role of these ghouls, says Guardian columnist Marina Hyde
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
High-profile business leaders have raised more than $200,000 within 24 hrs to fund a national campaign for a federal inquiry into the Bondi shooting, as the PM signalled he may backflip and trigger the probe under the weight of public pressure. www.afr.com/politics/fed...
afr.com
PM signals royal commission U-turn as public pressure grows
The prime minister has declined to rule out a federal royal commission into the Bondi attacks in the face of mounting public pressure.
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
Australia’s millennial Comms minister Anika Wells faces a defining moment as she tried to land the world’s first social media ban for under-16s. Ensuring the ban works from December 10 will be a major political test www.afr.com/politics/fed...
afr.com
Anika Wells faces her ‘defining moment’
In bringing home Labor’s world-first social media ban, the Millennial mum and minister’s meteoric political rise encounters its sternest test yet.
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
Our latest on the Chinese flotilla that may be heading from the Philippine Sea towards Australia. Trajectory still unclear but Defence are monitoring. New images from Starboard Maritime Intelligence reveal more details of size and composition of the fleet www.afr.com/politics/fed...
afr.com
First images of Chinese flotilla reveal assault ship
A maritime surveillance company says images of a Chinese flotilla being monitored by Defence indicated a significant projection of naval power.
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
The Australian govt sat for nearly a year on a plan to introduce a national 000 watchdog, which would have forced Optus to immediately alert authorities of outages, but is now expected to rush legislation for the critical safeguard within a month www.afr.com/politics/fed...
afr.com
Government failed to act on plans for Triple Zero watchdog
The Albanese government sat on a plan to introduce a Triple Zero guardian for nearly a year but is now expected to rush out legislation within the next month.
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 30/09/2025
The Albanese government’s response to the Optus Triple Zero outages is coming under fire @jennywiggins.bsky.social www.afr.com/politics/fed...
afr.com
Government’s handling of Optus failures under question
The Albanese government’s strategy to fix Optus has come under fire as a third review is announced, to be done by a US consulting group paid for by the telco.
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 29/09/2025
Ukrainian ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko said Kyiv was “ready to share” unique skills it has developed in deploying and counteracting unmanned systems that have played a pivotal role in its war with Russia since Moscow invaded in February 2022. www.afr.com/politics/fed...
afr.com
Ukraine offers drone tech and battlefield expertise to Australia
The war-ravaged country has reached out to help Australia keep pace with the changing face of modern warfare.
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
The recognition of Palestinian statehood is a “very significant step” but Australia must do more to help end the conflict in Gaza, says Chris Sidoti, the author of a United Nations independent expert report alleging Israel is committing genocide. www.afr.com/politics/fed...
afr.com
Australia must do more to end Gaza war says author of ‘genocide’ report
Chris Sidoti, author of an independent UN probe alleging Israel is guilty of genocide, has urged Australia to step up efforts to end the Gaza war
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
The Albanese government is on track to sign a significant new mutual defence treaty with neighbouring Papua New Guinea to boost security ties www.afr.com/politics/fed...
afr.com
Australia set to sign ambitious defence treaty with Papua New Guinea
The deal comes amid concern over Beijing’s growing influence in the Pacific, and is timed to coincide with Anthony Albanese’s visit to Port Moresby this week.
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 01/09/2025
The Australian government has vowed to strengthen the rules covering agreements between state, territory and local governments and universities with overseas authorities to block proposals of high risk to national security www.afr.com/politics/fed...
afr.com
Government pledges stronger action to counter foreign influence
Labor has pledged more targeted action to counter interference in state and territory governments, as well as universities.
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 12/08/2025
Loving Brisbane and the Glasshouse mountains in #Queensland on our latest #Australia tour
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 11/08/2025
The “language of sacrifice” is no longer part of political discourse said former Uk national security adviser Lord Mark Sedwill. “That kind of sentiment is absent in modern politics, but I think it’s going to have to come back.” thenightly.com.au/politics/aus...
thenightly.com.au
Welfare or warfare: Western nations warned on tough choice
Top UK security expert Lord Mark Sedwill has urged honest public discourse on defence budgets and sacrifice.
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 11/08/2025
Unfortunately this is not surprising given the dangerous moves Chinese coastguard ships have been staging in the South China Sea. Hopefully everyone is safe and well - China rams own warship while chasing Philippine vessel www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
China rams own warship while chasing Philippine vessel
The crash in the disputed Scarborough Shoal rendered a Chinese warship "unseaworthy", Manila said.
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 22/06/2025
Stunning #Canberra sunset tonight
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 21/06/2025
Great insights from Ely Ratner in @thenightly.bsky.social on #Aukus and the onus on Australia to invest more on deterrence and to engage in tough conversations on strategic challenges in the Indo-Pacific thenightly.com.au/politics/exc...
thenightly.com.au
AUKUS is ‘too big to fail’, says ex-Pentagon official
Former senior Pentagon official Ely Ratner believes the pact will go ahead but the review raises tough questions.
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 20/06/2025
My @thenightly.bsky.social take on why Albanese should attend the NATO summit at a time of escalating global instability: The Prime Minister should not miss chance to be heard by peers, regardless of whether Donald Trump attends. thenightly.com.au/politics/aus...
thenightly.com.au
Go NATO: Why PM should attend regardless of Donald Trump
NICOLA SMITH: The Prime Minister should not miss chance to be heard by peers, regardless of whether Donald Trump attends.
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
The @thenightly.bsky.social interviewed Middle East expert Kylie Moore-Gilbert on the prospects for regime change in Iran thenightly.com.au/politics/aus...
thenightly.com.au
Regime change with no alternative would risk road to ruin
Rushing to overthrow Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei could lead to chaos instead of peace.
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 17/06/2025
“The AUKUS partnership between Australia, the UK and the US is our most strategically significant new agreement in a generation.” - UK Indo-Pacific Minister Catherine West exclusive oped in The Nightly thenightly.com.au/opinion/cath...
thenightly.com.au
What the UK and Australia can achieve when we stand together
CATHERINE WEST: Our relationship with Australia will go from strength to strength to build a free and open Indo-Pacific.
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 14/06/2025
No need to panic about Pentagon review of Aukus say experts. But calls still rising for Australia to up its defence spending thenightly.com.au/politics/aus...
thenightly.com.au
Keep calm and Pentagon will stay on course in AUKUS pact
NICOLA SMITH: Australian experts have played down the AUKUS review but warned Anthony Albanese to increase defence spending
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
Our @thenightly.bsky.social interview with Education Minister Jason Clare on the fight against bullying & toxic social media algorithms and his second term overhaul of the education sector from early childcare to universities thenightly.com.au/politics/aus...
thenightly.com.au
Education Minister on the Adolescence scene that haunts him
‘I think every dad would see themselves in that scene and hope and pray that that is never them.’
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles is expected to meet US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth this weekend at Asia’s top security summit in Singapore amid regional uncertainty about Washington’s economic and military commitment to the Indo-Pacific thenightly.com.au/politics/sha...
thenightly.com.au
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
“If the authorities don’t fix this mess immediately, people will pay with their lives,” writes a Newark air traffic controller: www.thetimes.com/us/news-toda...
thetimes.com
I was alone on shift when Newark air traffic control went dark
Newark airport: An anonymous worker has been signed off with trauma leave since the power went out and she sat there, alone, unable to see the planes. It’s only a matter of time before tragedy strikes...
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
Pacific must not become a ‘military zone’ amid rise of China, New Zealand’s deputy PM warns www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...
theguardian.com
Pacific must not become a ‘military zone’ amid rise of China, New Zealand’s deputy PM warns
In an interview with the Guardian, Winston Peters says the world faces the ‘most uncertain time’ in 80 years ahead of talks with Australia's foreign minister
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
Australia joins 22 nations to demand Israel allow aid into Gaza, stating ‘the population faces starvation’ in joint statement www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...
theguardian.com
Australia demands Israel allow aid into Gaza, stating ‘the population faces starvation’ in joint statement
‘Palestinian territory must not be reduced nor subjected to any demographic change,’ joint statement declares after Israel announces military expansion
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 03/05/2025
An emotional Anthony Albanese takes to the stage at the ALP election watch party in Sydney to thank his family, team and the nation. “Today the Australian people have voted for Australian values.”
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 03/05/2025
Anthony Albanese has made history as the first prime minister in 21 years to clinch consecutive polls, storming home with a landslide majority win in Saturday’s Federal election. thenightly.com.au/politics/fed...
thenightly.com.au
Albo makes history with shock landslide election win
Anthony Albanese has made history as the first prime minister in 21 years to clinch consecutive polls, storming home with a landslide win in Saturday’s Federal election.
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 19/04/2025
Beautiful #Canberra
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 19/04/2025
‘If I die, I want a loud death’: Fatima Hassouna - Gaza photojournalist killed by Israeli airstrike www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
theguardian.com
‘If I die, I want a loud death’: Gaza photojournalist killed by Israeli airstrike
Fatima Hassouna, who had been documenting war in Gaza for 18 months and was subject of new documentary, killed along with 10 members of her family
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
Australian election’s deficit of honest answers, while campaign spin remains in surplus | The Nightly thenightly.com.au/politics/fed...
thenightly.com.au
Election campaign has deficit in honesty and surplus in spin
NICOLA SMITH: Dodging tough questions has become a hallmark of this election campaign. And it’s the voters who lose out in the end.
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Reposted by Nicola Smith
Mark Harrison @mhar4.bsky.social · 11/04/2025
Australian Signals Directorate with an advisory on malware targeting Uyghur, Taiwanese and Tibetan groups and civil society actors. www.cyber.gov.au/about-us/vie...
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 29/03/2025
First full day of campaigning in the Australian PM’s re-election bid thenightly.com.au/app-login?p=...
thenightly.com.au
PM makes Medicare, ‘Buy Australian’ pitch on QLD tour
Mr Albanese made the bold move of taking his fight straight to an urgent care centre in Peter Dutton’s Brisbane seat of Dickson.
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 29/03/2025
“The earthquake could not have hit at a worse time for Myanmar, where one third of the population are already in need of humanitarian assistance after four bloody years of war” www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2...
telegraph.co.uk
Myanmar earthquake death toll passes 1,000 as rescuers search with bare hands
Race against time to find survivors, with the death toll expected to rise still further
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 22/03/2025
Lovely morning on Lake Burley Griffin #Canberra
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
Former Hong Kong legislator Ted Hui targeted by anonymous fake leaflets allegedly posted from Macau to Adelaide mosques, using his photoshopped pic and stating he is “siding with Israel” against “Islamic terrorism” thenightly.com.au/politics/aus...
thenightly.com.au
Fake pamphlet campaign targeting exile raised with China
An outspoken Hong Kong exile living in Australia has been targeted by anonymous leaflets allegedly posted to mosques in Adelaide and accusing him of ‘siding with Israel’ against ‘Islamic terrorism’.
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 15/03/2025
“Australia needs to recognise that for right now … our great and powerful friend is not a friend.” One from earlier this week.. thenightly.com.au/politics/aus...
thenightly.com.au
Australia urged to play long game amid harsh Trump universe
NICOLA SMITH: Today’s America is nobody’s friend and there is no blueprint on how to mend relations or navigate this new Donald Trump world.
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Reposted by Nicola Smith
Steve Herman @newsguy.bsky.social · 15/03/2025
Statement from the director of the Voice of America (who has been placed on administrative leave).
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Reposted by Nicola Smith
Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
Philippines former senator Leila De Lima says "Duterte now has to answer for his actions, not in the court of public opinion but before the rule of law. This is how justice should work—those in power must be held to the same standards as everyone else.” newsinfo.inquirer.net/2042783/dute...
newsinfo.inquirer.net
Duterte must answer not to me, but to the victims, the world – De Lima
MANILA, Philippines — After standing up before the courts due to the cases filed against her, former Sen. Leila de Lima said it is now time for former President Rodrigo Duterte to face his share
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
"This is a big, long-awaited day for justice," Randy delos Santos, the uncle of a teenager killed by police during an anti-drug operation in August 2017 in the Manila metropolis said. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03...
abc.net.au
'Crime against humanity': Former Philippine president arrested
Rodrigo Duterte is arrested at Manila's International Airport after an arrest warrant was issued by the International Criminal Court.
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 08/03/2025
“[Starmer] welcomed prime minister Albanese’s commitment to consider contributing to a coalition of the willing for Ukraine and looked forward to the Chiefs of Defence meeting in Paris on Tuesday.” www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2...
telegraph.co.uk
Australia is ‘considering’ joining Starmer’s ‘coalition of the willing’, UK says
Anthony Albanese discusses ‘potential peacekeeping’ as Britain and France lead group of countries to bring ‘lasting peace’ to Ukraine
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Nicola Smith @niccijsmith.bsky.social · 08/03/2025
Thanks to Jennifer Parker and Ray Powell for their insights on Chinese Coast Guard ops and the conversation Australia needs to have about whether to create its own Coast Guard to boost national security editions.thenightly.com.au/ccidist-ws/t...
editions.thenightly.com.au
Inside the China Coast Guard’s stealthy maritime expansion
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