"If deterrence fails - and war erupts - how does Australia intend to use its nuclear-powered submarines? They might expand Australia's choices, but they might also entrench it in operations Canberra would otherwise seek to avoid." Bec Strating The twenty-seventh issue of Australian Foreign Affairs explores the costs, risks and potential benefits of Australia's plan to buy, build and operate a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines. Lost at Sea looks at the ways in which the AUKUS undertaking is set to reshape the nation's military, economy, diplomacy and foreign relations - and at the consequences and alternatives if the project does not go according to plan. David Kilcullen asks whether, and how, Australia could defend itself if the AUKUS submarines do not materialise. Peter Khalil looks at the capabilities nuclear-powered submarines offer and their potential to expand Australia's strategic options. Bec Strating explores what AUKUS says about Australia's ambitions within our region. Saul Eslake questions whether the massive AUKUS expenditure will produce meaningful economic benefits for Australia. Yee-Fui Ng analyses the legal risks and obligations Australia has accepted through the AUKUS treaties. PLUS Joel Backwell on Indonesia, Gorana Grgić on Europe's future and Natalie Sambhi on South-East Asia, and correspondence on AFA26's "Weapons of Choice" from John Kunkel, Naoise McDonagh and Shiro Armstrong.

Details

ISBN13: 9781760646202
Format: Paperback / softback
Number of Pages: 112
Edition:
Publication Date: 22 Jun 2026
Publisher: Black Inc.
Publication City, Country: Australia
Dimensions (cm): 23.5(H)x16.8(L)x1(W)160
Weight (gm): 160

Author Biography

Jonathan Pearlman is the editor of Australian Foreign Affairs and is a correspondent for the Telegraph (UK) and the Straits Times (Singapore). He previously worked at the Sydney Morning Herald, covering foreign affairs and politics from Canberra and Sydney. He has worked as a correspondent in the Middle East, as well as covering various international stories, including the 2008 US election and the violence in eastern Congo. His work has appeared in numerous publications, including The Diplomat, Good Weekend, and the Australian Book Review, and he has been a Walkley Award finalist and United Nations Media Award winner. He was born in Sydney and studied at the University of New South Wales and Oxford University.

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