Defence
Japan wants a stronger military but where will it find the troops?
Already, on a newly commissioned navy frigate, the nurse doubles as dishwasher and cook.
- by Motoko Rich and Hikari Hida
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Behind the Headlines
A war raged outside and IS militants lurked in the darkness. Then our fellow Aussies turned on us
Heavy artillery was firing when two nervous American soldiers came to the tent with bad news. It’s a war zone story I’ve always itched to tell, and still infuriates me six years on.
- by Michael Bachelard
Australia sends personnel but no ship to counter Houthi threat
The Coalition has castigated Labor for not sending a warship to the region, with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton claiming the decision will be “welcomed by Hamas”.
- by Paul Sakkal
‘Press releases don’t shoot down drones’: Coalition criticises Labor on Red Sea response
The opposition says the government’s reaction to a “modest request” from the US to help to stop rebels attacking commercial ships is a weak one.
- by Paul Sakkal
US-led Red Sea taskforce to stop shipping attacks won’t include Australia
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has announced the creation of a global operation following a series of drone and missile attacks by Iran-aligned Houthi rebels.
- by Farrah Tomazin
US request for Red Sea warship not a specific callout to Australia, Albanese says
The federal government downplayed the United States’ request for help, but is yet to rule out sending a ship to the Middle East.
- by Olivia Ireland
Senior federal minister expresses new caution about US request for ships in Red Sea
Trade Minister Don Farrell said on Sunday that Australia’s navy focuses on its own activities in its own region in light of the US request for ships to the Red Sea.
- by Olivia Ireland
Marles rejects ‘fear-mongering’ over Greens’ nuclear waste AUKUS claims
The Greens claim new laws aimed at ensuring the safe operation of Australia’s AUKUS submarine program will open the door to receiving US and UK nuclear waste.
- by Lisa Visentin
‘China is a fatal distraction’: Former defence chief on the biggest threat facing Australia
Chris Barrie became the youngest person ever appointed to lead the Australian defence forces. Now he’s taken on an even tougher job.
- by Deborah Snow
‘Focused on our region’: Government wary of US Red Sea warship request
The federal government is considering a US request to send a Royal Australian Navy warship to dangerous waters in the Middle East.
- by Matthew Knott
Kerry Stokes capitulates in fight over costs of Roberts-Smith defamation battle
The move will prevent communications between the former soldier’s lawyers and his chief supporters at Seven from being made public.
- by Michaela Whitbourn and Bianca Hall