Asia Society Australia’s Post

Over the past 24 months, the Sahel region has experienced a series of military coups, accompanied by increasingly authoritarian military rule. The rapid surge of the violent extremist threat, coupled with the dangerous involvement of new foreign actors, make the region one that deserves great attention. In order to critically assess opportunities for peace, security, and economic development in the Sahel, we convened a bipartisan Senior Study Group made up of former high-level U.S., African, and European officials; prominent academics and researchers; and leading foreign policy analysts and experts. Read their final report and recommendations here: https://lnkd.in/emgmqkri

🚨 Announcement: Featured in Foreign Affairs! 🚨 Months of intensive work tracking and analyzing Hamas's propaganda have been featured in Foreign Affairs. At University of Chicago Project on Security and Threats, I have meticulously examined the Arabic propaganda produced by Hamas and its military wing, the Qassam Brigades. Leading this research has been both challenging and rewarding. This recognition underscores the importance of our work in understanding propaganda in conflict zones. Stay tuned for the full report. #Research #ForeignAffairs #PropagandaAnalysis #SecurityStudies #UniversityofChicago

In Andrew Selth’s recent Asialink piece, he delves into the pivotal role of military manpower for Myanmar's Junta. Over the past three months, ethnic insurgents have notched substantial victories, altering the dynamics of the civil war and challenging the junta's power. The Tatmadaw, grappling with geographical hurdles and dwindling personnel, faces a critical juncture. The Three Brotherhood Alliance's strategic exploitation has resulted in the capture of key bases. This ongoing conflict marks the junta's most formidable test since seizing power. While speculation about the junta's future abounds, the situation remains dynamic, promising further challenges before a resolution. Read more: https://ow.ly/ektN50Qg9Cr #MyanmarConflict #MilitaryDynamics #JuntaChallenges

Some thoughts and context regarding the #coup in #Niger: ♦ Echoing Delina Goxho: we should not overestimate external actors' i influence in Niger's internal affairs (Western or non-Western). https://lnkd.in/ei3nj8fA ♦ So far, the CNSP have explicitly asked for non interference from All external actors - not just x or y. ♦ All security forces in the region have received #SecurityForceAssistance from several different partners - it is no scoop to say that x has been trained by y. ♦ We can definitely trace who has trained whom, but trying to attribute 𝘥𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 between training and coup is pointless. ♦ Noteworthy is that the coup plotters in the photo represent 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀: Air Force, Army, Gendarme, National Guard and Presidential Guard - at least the perception they want to give is that this is a broad-based movement ♦ Also interesting is that the attacks against the security forces mentioned by the Coup instigator and the new Head of the CNSP: General Tchiani 𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩𝙡𝙮 𝙩𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙄𝙨𝙨𝙤𝙛𝙤𝙪 ♦ For more on the coup in #Niger: - https://lnkd.in/ejbSHXnV - https://lnkd.in/ez-hiMeQ - https://lnkd.in/eDMnH6DT - https://lnkd.in/eTXdMa8Q (30 min =>) ♦ For the #civil-military context and Security Force Assistance: - https://lnkd.in/ev992bM5 - https://lnkd.in/dJjwPAN - https://lnkd.in/ed5baQh4 - https://lnkd.in/eSs5cSTV #niger #coup #security #Africa EGMONT - Royal Institute for International Relations FBA (Folke Bernadotte Academy) Peace Research Institute

*Emergency webinar* - Join us for a webinar on Wednesday looking at an intensifying insurgency against the ruling military junta in Myanmar. Since an initial offensive began in the north of Shan state on 27 October, groups in other regions have launched their own operations, including in Rakhine and Karen states. The military seems overstretched and has made little progress in recapturing lost territory. In light of these developments, the complete collapse of its rule appears to be a reasonably likely scenario in 2024. Register for the webinar here: https://lnkd.in/eRRuG6Rz #myanmar #geopolitics #securityintelligence

🗎 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗣𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 by Nina Wilén & #PaulDWilliams “𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗲𝘀: 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀” International Affairs @EGMONT - Royal Institute for International Relations 1️⃣ A small number of troop-contributing countries adapted their armed forces to perform the military tasks required for peacekeeping making participation in peace operations a top-tier priority 2️⃣ The main drivers for states to build ‘peacekeeping armies’ are political, economic and institutional motives. This suggests that they are more likely to be developed by weaker and poorer states 3️⃣ The required investments and the perceived benefits mean that ‘peacekeeping armies’ have strong incentives to extend the duration of peace operations for their own benefit #peacekeepingarmies 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 👉 bit.ly/44RVMAE

Military Analysis on Russia-UK In this insightful video, Maj Gen S B Asthana (Veteran), Board Member of BHARAT NEWS, provides a comprehensive military analysis of the Russia-Ukraine War as of May 2024. Drawing from his extensive experience and expertise, Maj Gen Asthana delves into the strategic developments, key battles, an d geopolitical implications of the ongoing conflict. Gain a deeper understanding of the military tactics employed by both sides, the impact on global security, and the potential future scenarios in this detailed analysis. Tune in to BHARAT NEWS for an expert perspective on one of the most significant conflicts of our time, and stay informed with accurate and up-to-date information from a trusted military professional. #RussiaUkraineWar #MilitaryAnalysis #MajGenSBAsthana #Geopolitics #GlobalSecurity #WarUpdate #Russia #Ukraine #ConflictAnalysis #MilitaryStrategy #BharatMedia #BharatFM #BharatTV #BharatNews #DefenseExpert #WarNews #MilitaryInsights #StrategicAnalysis #GlobalConflict #DefenseAnalysis

Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs Volume 7 Number 1, Jan-Feb 2024: "Can Thailand’s Military Evolve?: Moving Beyond Domestic Interference, Institutional Corruption, and Personal Gain" by Mark S. Cogan Read: https://ow.ly/Bzoa50QBbx9 Full Journal: https://ow.ly/Hf4j50QBbxf This article critically assesses efforts to implement security-sector reforms and foster a military aligned with its intended purpose, examining three distinct eras in Thailand’s military development. It extrapolates insights from each era to the context of a new semi-democratic Pheu Thai-led government. #JIPA #IndoPacific #Strategy #Democracy #Thailand #USAF #Defense #Security #Geopolitics #Thailand Air University Air University Press Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs

What are the factors behind the Niger military government's decision to cut military ties with the U.S and what security implications does this present? Fidel Owusu, joins me in this week's episode to explore this important subject.

Studying #MilitaryHistory is crucial for national strategic and security studies, but India's declassification policy poses a challenge. Anit Mukherjee and defence experts discuss the challenges in the 17th edition of the CSEP Foreign Policy & Security Tiffin Talk. The discussion focused on the importance of studying India’s military history and the instrumental utility behind it to derive lessons and inform policy-making. The discussion focused on the utility of studying India’s military history and the importance of learning from outcomes of previous military campaigns. It also addressed the challenges surrounding declassification of military records in India and the pressing need for a streamlined procedure. The discussion ended with participants assessing solutions to preserve India’s military history and identifying methods through which India’s military history can inform and improve policy making. Read the summary of the discussion at the link below. https://lnkd.in/dYvTi_ww