Cooperation in Contested Asia (policy brief launch)

East Asia’s security environment is changing rapidly. China’s power and confidence is rising, the US is increasingly introspective and uncertainty abounds about its power and purpose. India and Russia also clamour for influence. Regional powers are entering a period of growing rivalry and animosity, nationalism is an increasingly pervasive force, and prompted by a pervasive sense of strategic uncertainty, military spending is ramping up in many countries. As a new equilibrium has yet to be established in the security order, how can middle ranking countries like Japan and Australia manage their interests? The two countries have developed a close and cooperative security partnership since 2007. The changing environment is challenging but they can better navigate it by working together in a closely coordinated manner involving both diplomatic and security policy tools. Speakers: Professor Nick Bisley (Head of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University) Dr Rebecca Strating (Lecturer in Politics, La Trobe University) Daniel Flitton (Managing Editor, The Interpreter Lowy Institute)(Chair). The launch of La Trobe Asia's first policy paper, authored by Nick Bisley, Rebecca Strating, Chisako Masuo and Nobuhiro Aizawa. Held at the City Campus of La Trobe University on 7th September, 2018.