National security
Updated
Pacific diplomacy
Australia fires Tomahawk missile for first time, spends $140m to China-proof Nauru
Faced with challenges in the Indo-Pacific, Australia revealed it test-fired a Tomahawk missile recently as it ramps up its long-range strike capability.
- by Matthew Knott
Latest
‘The fear is palpable’: Australian women and children trapped in Syria afraid for their lives
Australia has had five years to repatriate dozens of women and children who went to Syria under Islamic State.
- by Michael Bachelard
Exclusive
Pacific diplomacy
PNG minister says $600m NRL deal ‘nothing to do with China’
PNG’s foreign minister said its government had set aside more than $38 million to begin building facilities and a deal could be announced as early as next week.
- by Chris Barrett
The Philippines VP publicly threatens to have the president assassinated
Sara Duterte says she hired an assassin in case she herself is killed, in a brazen public statement she warned was not a joke.
- by Jim Gomez
Reconsider AUKUS, say former Labor foreign ministers
The government is insisting Kevin Rudd will stay on as Australia’s ambassador to Washington despite his past criticism of Donald Trump.
- by David Crowe
‘Seditious T-shirt’ enough to send Chu to jail for up to 10 years
In Hong Kong, where almost 300 people including Australian Gordon Ng have been arrested on national security grounds since the introduction of draconian security laws in 2020, wearing the wrong T-shirt can land you in jail.
- by Lisa Visentin
Exclusive
AUKUS
White House pushes for AUKUS to move to ‘pillar two’ weapons focus
The US National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan, revealed in an interview that he wanted to see “two or three signature projects” before Joe Biden leaves office.
- by Peter Hartcher
Exclusive
US Votes 2024
US national security adviser reveals new plan for Australia to help curb Chinese dominance
In an exclusive interview inside the White House, Jake Sullivan revealed details of a new scheme he ranks as a top priority for the Biden administration.
- by Peter Hartcher
Updated
Immigration
Spy chief spells out dealbreakers for Gaza refugees
ASIO director-general Mike Burgess says “people have chosen to distort” comments he made about Palestinians fleeing Gaza last month.
- by Olivia Ireland and Matthew Knott
Analysis
Analysis
ASIO boss caught in political crossfire over Gaza refugees
ASIO boss Mike Burgess has found himself ensnared in the political dispute over security screening of refugees.
- by Deborah Snow
‘My fault’: Tearful Israeli military intelligence head leaves post
Major General Aharon Haliva said the failures of October 7 would haunt him for the rest of his life.
- by Emily Rose