APSNet 10 November 2008

1. Navy Chief Sinks Rudd Fears of Arms Race
2. Australian Input into US War Strategy
3. UN Vote: Rudd Breaks with Howard on Israel
4. Indonesia: VP Denies Talk of Split between Mulyani, SBY
5. Japan Eyes Own Early Warning Satellite
6. Myanmar says Daewoo Will Continue Exploration
7. Climate Change: Issues/Challenges Facing the Region
8. China: What Sort of Great Power Will It Be?

1. Navy Chief Sinks Rudd Fears of Arms Race, John Kerin, AFR*, 2008-11-10

Navy Chief Vice-Admiral Russell Crane has rejected Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s characterisation of the region as being in the grip of an arms race, suggesting China and India are involved in “a normal modernisation of their weapons arsenal.”
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• Submarines Stay at Core of Defence, Patrick Walters, Australian, 2008-10-07
• Submarines in Australia’s Future Maritime Defence – Chief of Navy Perspective, Vice Admiral Russ Crane, SIA Conference, Defence Department, 2008-11-07

2. Australian Input into US War Strategy, Daniel Flitton, Age, 2008-11-08

Top US General David Petraeus has ordered a classified review to look at war plans in both Afghanistan and Iraq. The Age believes that four Australians have joined the team, with at least two analysts drawn from the Defence Intelligence Organisation. Sources have said that the incoming deputy commander of ISAF in Afghanistan, British Royal Marines Major-General Jim Dutton, visited Canberra this week for high-level talks with Australian counterparts.

3. UN Vote: Rudd Breaks with Howard on Israel, Phillip Hudson, SMH, 2008-11-10

Australia has switched its position to vote against Israel on two resolutions at the United Nations, ending the Howard government’s unswerving alignment with the United States and raising concern from the Jewish community.

4. VP Denies Talk of Split between Mulyani, SBY, Adianto P. Simamora, Jakarta Post, 2008-11-08

Vice President Jusuf Kalla has strongly denied speculation that Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati had threatened to resign over a debacle involving a coal company owned by the Bakrie family, the nation’s richest and most politically wired. Mulyani was protesting moves by Yudhoyono, Kalla and Sofyan in overturning her decision to end a one-month trading suspension in PT Bumi Resources, the crown jewel of the Bakrie conglomerate.

5. Japan Eyes Own Early Warning Satellite, Martin Sieff, UPI*, 2008-11-05

The Japanese government is slowly moving towards a decision to launch its own early warning ballistic missile defense satellite. The Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper said it had received access to a draft plan for ballistic missile defense drawn up by the secretariat of the Japanese government’s headquarters for space development strategy.
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6. Myanmar says Daewoo Will Continue Exploration, AP, IHT, 2008-11-09

Daewoo International Corp has completed its oil and gas exploration in contested waters in the Bay of Bengal and will drill elsewhere, Myanmar state-controlled media said, disputing Bangladesh’s claim that the company backed out after it complained about the activities. Tension flared between the two countries when Bangladesh accused Myanmar of sending several ships – apparently for prospecting – into a contested area believed to contain hydrocarbon reserves.

7. Climate Change: Issues/Challenges Facing the Region, Michael Somare, Distinguished Speaker Series, Lowy, 2008-11-07 (154KB, PDF)

Sir Michael Somare calls for a global paradigm shift to transform the way the world values a healthy and functioning natural environment. “Pacific Island countries have identified climate change adaptation and mitigation as requiring special attention. While we contribute less to the pollution that affects climate change, we have a disproportionate responsibility to outlay huge resources to adapt and mitigate climate change effects on our countries.” he said.

8. China: What Sort of Great Power Will It Be? Rod Lyon and Christine Leah, ASPI, 2008-11-07

This report examines the current debate over what sort of great power China is likely to become. It explores the possibility of a future bilateral strategic partnership between Australia and China, and identifies the issues that would be important to Canberra. It urges a ‘clearer strategic relationship with China’ and an effort to identify the future ‘grand bargains’ that could underpin stability in a dynamic Asian security environment.

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 For further information, please contact the editors, Jane Mullett, Arabella Imhoff.

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Richard Tanter,
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