Asia Pacific Defence Reporter

APDR

Your go-to source for cutting-edge security insights in the region

  • 20 minutes 5 seconds
    Episode 128

    This episode marks the 4th anniversary of Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine, which shows no sign of ending. Australia is providing some help - but not nearly enough. 


    The international environment remains chaotic - and we pose the difficult question: if Australian governments are incapable of introducing a digital passenger arrival card, what hope is there that we will ever be able to build a nuclear-powered submarine?


    Donald $Trump's tariff war with the world continues and Australia has now been hit with a 15% rate, which of course will be met with earnest expressions of concern rather than a meaningful response. If you think Trump's aim of acquiring Greenland is over, think again

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    23 February 2026, 11:00 pm
  • 20 minutes 1 second
    Episode 127

    Before we get to the Singapore air show, some more words about US isolationism and a country that seems to be fracturing.

    Something that Australian politicians seem to be sadly unaware of. 

    There was pushback against the latest report from the US Congressional Research Service - a very authoritative group - that once again raised the possibility of Australia not receiving any Virginia class submarines.

    This was in the form of a heated response from Defence Minister Marles, that everything is perfect - but where is the evidence for that?

    The project will receive an injection of an additional $600 million this year, meaning that the path to reaching 2.3% of GDP will be even slower than previously believed.

    From the air show, some good news about the growth path for Apache helicopters and also a reminder that NH90 helicopters - the parent design of the scrapped Taipan fleet- remain in great demand.

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    9 February 2026, 11:00 pm
  • 19 minutes 43 seconds
    Episode 126
    For some variety we start with a few words about China's President Xi Jinping undertaking a further purge of the military leaving him in sole command. In the short term this might make an invasion of Taiwan less likely - but in the medium term the situation could be more dangerous. In the US, chaos continues on both the foreign policy and domestic fronts. A question for Australian politicians and national security figures: if US officials, including the President, lie so blatantly to their own people, why should we believe anything that they say? When it comes to decoupling from the US, we might learn a lot more about how Canada is doing so when their Prime Minister Mark Carney visits in March. Canada is seeking to take advantage of the current self-inflicted US brain drain. Australia seems to be moving in the opposite direction.

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    2 February 2026, 11:00 pm
  • 20 minutes 6 seconds
    Episode 125
    More US-caused turmoil with President Trump cancelling his takeover of Greenland because he has reached a concept of a framework deal with NATO but of course hasn't released any details. But he's replaced that with more threats at Canada, including using violent language, if they go ahead with a trade deal involving China. All the world can see what's happening - with the exception of the Australian government. Then Trump insulted all 1,200 non-US soldiers who died in Afghanistan as part of the ISAF mission claiming it was only Americans who did the fighting. This resulted in enraged pushback from people like UK PM Kier Starmer, who called Trump directly. How did our leaders react - by avoiding any direct criticism of Trump. A notable exception was senior Opposition figure Andrew Hastie who has labelled Trump's words for what they are. And a few thoughts on how Trump is gearing up for a third term.

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    27 January 2026, 11:00 pm
  • 19 minutes 49 seconds
    Episode 124

    Before discussing the Prime Minister's strange reluctance to call a Royal Commission into the Bondi terrorist attack we have to talk about the increasingly erratic behaviour of Donald Trump. Threats from the US to take over Greenland are increasing, with greater tariffs on European countries now also part of the mix.

    This is because Trump claimed the Europeans weren't doing enough to defend the island so countries have sent small military delegations there to do some research - but the US President now claims this is an escalation.

    Here, Defence Minister Richard Marles has responded in his usual spineless fashion refusing to comment on US behaviour saying instead he thinks NATO will remain united when all sensible analysis comes to the opposite conclusion. 

    It's time for Australia to have an open, mature debate about the nature of the US alliance and what we expect to get out of it. The country expects leadership - and it isn't getting it.

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    20 January 2026, 12:00 am
  • 20 minutes 25 seconds
    Episode 123
    It's a good thing we waited a couple of weeks before commenting on the US attack on Venezuela because the entire thing is getting stranger by the day. It clearly wasn't about regime change and even the logic of seizing oil reserves is looking shaky. It might have been because Donald Trump felt his dancing style was being mocked by the former Venezuelan President. As disturbing as that is, of even more concern is the US threatening again to acquire Greenland - by force, if necessary. This is completely insane and would destroy NATO, but Trump seems to be obsessed with it. If the US continues to destroy the existing rules based order, will Australian politicians finally grow a spine or will they find ever more creative ways to grovel?

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    12 January 2026, 11:00 pm
  • 14 minutes 24 seconds
    Episode 122
    We start with a few thoughts on the awful terrorist attack on members of the Jewish community holding a party on Bondi Beach. But we cannot ignore other developments and have some further thoughts about the new US National Security Strategy, which explicitly attacks Europe and gives both Russia and China a leave pass. The official policy of the US is that they will now support European far-right political parties in what is obviously interference in the internal affairs of other nations. People should be outraged - as they would be if China said they planned to do the same thing in Asia. Our politicians won't say anything because they are moral cowards. Finally - instead of buying second hand Virginia class subs from the US, let's buy 40 year old Los Angeles boats instead.

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    16 December 2025, 3:21 am
  • 18 minutes 56 seconds
    Xinjiang Media Tour - Part 2

    The adventure continues with a late arrival in Kashgar - also known as Kashi - and a crowded program of educational and cultural events. The city has a very long history and is a colourful mix of cultures and religions.


    Then it was a flight to Ili, the capital of the Kazakh autonomous prefecture which was different again from Urumqi and Kashgar. Treats included milk beer and a visit to the former governor's palace - a frequent residence for exiles from eastern parts of China.


    Then a return to Urumqi for the final part of the tour and one of the most consequential events - a visit to the Exhibition of Counterterrorism and Deradicalisation in Xinjiang. This explained why - in often gruesome detail - why security crackdowns have been necessary.


    The quick summary of the 8 day program - Xinjiang is friendly, interesting, and well worth a visit.

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    10 December 2025, 11:00 pm
  • 19 minutes 49 seconds
    Episode 121
    It's been a busy time internationally with the US releasing a shocking National Security Strategy document that throws Europe under a bus and favours improved relations with Russia. Australian politicians need to take note. But also some thoughts on the restructure of Defence so that acquisitions will be done by a separate agency. That's all well and good but the main improvements need to be cultural and attitudinal on the part of Defence managers. Keeping the same people and giving them new titles won't make the slightest difference. The rumours were correct and more aid will go to Ukraine - but given that the US is in the pocket of Russia a lot more will be needed. A final thought - the US is currently siding with China over their ugly war of words with Japan. Why should Australia be any different?

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    9 December 2025, 1:12 am
  • 22 minutes 3 seconds
    Xinjiang Media Tour - Part 1

    APDR was invited for a media tour to China’s Xinjiang autonomous region in September and we decided that listeners will be interested in more details than have so far been reported.


    This podcast is part travel log, part analysis and part personal commentary about the experience. We set the scene with some thoughts about China and the first part of the visit to Urumqi, the capital city of Xinjiang. Part 2 next week will begin with arriving in Kashgar.


    Comments on our website asiapacificdefencereporter.com are welcome, as are emails to: [email protected]


    Abusive content will not be allowed.

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    3 December 2025, 11:30 pm
  • 19 minutes 22 seconds
    Episode 120
    We start with breaking news of a Defence restructure - though it's too early to tell if it will make a difference. Then - despite the best efforts of many - the government is refusing to close a loophole allowing Russian oil to be sold in Australia, though it is possible that a new aid package is being developed. It can't come fast enough with the US continuing to side with Russia in a plan that would end Ukraine's independence - and we go into the main motivation: greed and the chance for the Trump family and their friends to make untold billions from the situation. Finally some words about why the US is moving towards military action against Venezuela - and that's more greed at work. Australia's politicians have to realise that the US will no longer help Australia unless there's something in it for them.

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    1 December 2025, 11:58 pm
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