Perth USAsia Centre

29/05/2026

Proud to have been the Conference Partner of this week's .

Over three days in Perth, leaders from government, defence, industry and academia explored the future of security in the Indian Ocean region, with contributions from senior Australian, US and Japanese defence leaders, regional representatives, and Centre fellows Jasmin Diab and Jo Feldman.

The conference was a valuable opportunity to strengthen connections and continue important conversations on Australia’s Indian Ocean strategy.

Thank you to those who attended, we look forward to seeing you in 2028.

26/05/2026

📢 DEFENCE MONTH

In the final op-ed of our series, Dr Dr Iain MacGillivray, Senior Research Fellow of International Affairs and Defence Strategy at the Centre, examines how the conflict in Iran and the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz highlight the dangers of strategic hubris and overly optimistic assumptions in warfare.

From chokepoint pressure to coalition strain and coercion below the threshold of open conflict, the lessons are historically familiar, and closely watched by sophisticated adversaries.

Hormuz is not the end of the story. It’s the beginning.

Read on: https://bit.ly/4e53ttj

Assumptions, not reality: Australia’s Indian Ocean challenge What is the cost of getting the Indian Ocean wrong? via Canva.com Dr Iain MacGillivraySenior Research Fellow: International Affairs and Defence Strategy, Perth USAsia Centre 26 May 2026 Join the Perth USAsia Centre in the...

22/05/2026

📢 DEFENCE MONTH

In the fourth op-ed of our series, panellist Jennifer Parker (Adjunct Professor at UWA Defence and Security Institute , and Troy Lee-Brown (Research Fellow at the UWA Defence and Security Institute), highlight a reality Australia has long overlooked - that the Indian Ocean sits at the centre of the nation’s economic and strategic security, exposed most recently by the Iran War.

Read 'The Indian Ocean is no longer secondary' here: https://bit.ly/4v4B4t7

The Indian Ocean is no longer secondary The Iran war is again exposing a reality Australia has long overlooked: the Indian Ocean sits at the centre of the nation’s economic and strategic security. Jennifer Parker Adjunct Professor, University of Western Australia Defence and Security InstituteNon-...

22/05/2026

The Perth USAsia Centre is an exhibitor at this year's .

Meet the team, learn about our diverse range of online Indo-Pacific courses, and find out how our bespoke workshop offerings can support your organisation.

Learn more about IODS here: https://bit.ly/4tEMaEY

21/05/2026

🎥 Documentary Screening at UWA 🎥
The Last Accord-War, Apocalypse, and Peace in Aceh
6pm on Thursday 28 May

This powerful documentary explores one of Southeast Asia’s longest-running conflicts and the peace process that brought it to an end.

Through exclusive interviews with former combatants, government officials, international mediators, and civil society leaders, the film explores how an inclusive peace process replaced mistrust and violence with reconciliation and hope.

Friend of the Centre Dino Patti Djalal (Founder & Chairman, Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia) is the executive producer of the documentary, and will discuss the key themes of the documentary alongside Dr Ian Wilson (Principal Fellow, Indo-Pacific Research Centre, Murdoch University) and moderator Cika Kalista Adinda (Master Student, Murdoch University).

Book FREE tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/the-last-accord-war-apocalypse-and-peace-in-aceh-perth-screening

We look forward to seeing you there.

20/05/2026

To kick off our new Strategic Partnership with Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia - AISWA, our team joined 450 school leaders from across WA at the 2026 AISWA Leaders Conference this week to showcase our online education programs including our flagship microcredential for high school students.

Centre CEO Professor Gordon Flake delivered the keynote and in conversation session during dinner, offering insights into international and geopolitical trends impacting Australia.

We’re looking forward to building our partnership with AISWA to develop capabilities and connections with their 160 member schools. Thanks to the AISWA team for a great event.

Learn more about our high school mocrocredential exploring Australia’s strategic relationship with Indo-Pacific nations here: https://bit.ly/40Sv1Ln

19/05/2026

📢 DEFENCE MONTH

In the third op-ed in our series, Jasmin Diab (Partner/MD at GSNP) explores how Australia can play a bigger leadership role in regional nuclear security.

As strengthens Western Australia’s role in the Indo-Pacific security landscape, Australia also has an opportunity to help shape nuclear safety standards, regulation, and cooperation across the Indian Ocean region.

Read 'AUKUS and the Indian Ocean: Why getting nuclear stewardship right, matters now' here: https://bit.ly/4nGrme3

AUKUS and the Indian Ocean: Why getting nuclear stewardship right, matters now As the region becomes more nuclear, it must also become more secure. Jasmin DiabSenior Research Adviser: Nuclear Technologies,Perth USAsia Centre 19 May 2026 Join the Perth USAsia Centre in the lead‑up to the 2026 India...

15/05/2026

📢 DEFENCE MONTH

In the second op-ed in our series, Dr Alexander Lee and Eloise Kelly examine why Australia must engage more deeply with the strategic landscape in the southwestern Indian Ocean.

As disruptions in the Middle East reshape global shipping routes, the Cape of Good Hope is becoming an increasingly viable trade route between Europe and Asia, with important implications for Australian security and strategy.

Read 'Trading around the Cape: Australian security and the southwestern Indian Ocean' here:

Trading around the Cape: Australian security and the southwestern Indian Ocean As the world moves into an era of increased strategic uncertainty, it would be unwise to assume the northern Indian Ocean sea lanes are reliable.  Dr Alexander LeeVisiting Fellow, Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Au...

11/05/2026

📢 DEFENCE MONTH

May is 'Defence Month' at the Centre. Join us in the lead‑up to for a new op-ed series, 'Broadening Australia’s strategic focus in an Indian Ocean century'.

This series examines Australia’s shifting security environment and why Australia cannot afford to under‑prioritise the Indian Ocean. With Western Australia at the heart of this engagement, our experts will explore why expanding our strategic focus is a necessity for our nation’s future.

In the first op-ed, Centre CEO L. Gordon Flake observes:

"Today, [the region] is being reshaped by geopolitical tensions, supply chains disruptions, and energy insecurity. This shift is an important one for Western Australia. Predominantly a resources exporter, WA is now emerging as Australia’s strategic gateway to the Indian Ocean, and a central player in terms of regional security beyond the narrow military focus of AUKUS".

Read Gordon's full op-ed here: https://bit.ly/4wgRCiV

08/05/2026

The Perth USAsia Centre is an exhibitor at this year's .

Meet the team, learn about our diverse range of online Indo-Pacific courses, and find out how our bespoke workshop offerings can support your organisation.

Learn more about IODS here: https://bit.ly/4tEMaEY