Anti-Government Threats and their Transnational Connections
Anti-Government Extremism (AGE) is a security challenge characterized by anti-establishment sentiments and conspiracy theories adapted to local grievances, with potential for violence. Analysing nations like Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United States highlights sheds light on AGE's severity, allowing for the development of tailored strategies for prevention and countering violent extremism. This research aims to inform policies by discerning whether AGE warrants standalone security concern and offers nuanced recommendations for addressing this emerging threat comprehensively.
Simmer war: the new form of US–China rivalry
The future of US-China rivalry is not likely to become a cold war, nor a hot one. Rather, it’s more likely to be a simmer war, a new situation in which there is persistent competition in the economic, technological, and diplomatic domains while both sides avoid escalation. Tacitly agreeing to manage the simmer war is perhaps the greatest diplomatic challenge for the two countries. China needs to promise the US it will not seek regional hegemony and the US must more strongly show that it does not seek to change China’s political system and will not stymie China’s efforts to expand economic opportunities.
Microsoft says Russian state-sponsored actors accessed critical software systems
The state-sponsored threat group Midnight Blizzard (also known as Nobelium) launched an attack beginning in late November last year that was detected by Microsoft on 12 January 2024, in which it gained access to a number of corporate email accounts, “including members of our senior leadership team and employees in our cyber security, legal and other functions”, the company said in a blog post. Microsoft has since announced that the threat group has leveraged the gains made in the previous attack to gain unauthorised access to core software systems in Microsoft’s digital environment.
Why Chinese policing in Pacific island countries is a problem
The presence of Chinese police in Kiribati poses numerous concerns, enabling control over Chinese expatriates, facilitating the activities of groups favoured by China, and shifting policing focus away from community welfare. Such involvement contrasts starkly with the community-focused assistance provided by other Pacific countries like Australia, prompting calls for Canberra to increase its support. The potential security implications, including mass surveillance and erosion of sovereignty, underscore the urgency for transparent alternatives and comprehensive security offerings from Australia to counterbalance Chinese engagement.
Australia's healthcare sector faces escalating cyber threat
New research highlights alarming trends in the global healthcare sector, with nearly a quarter of healthcare devices having known vulnerabilities, posing serious risks to patient data and safety. Around 14% of medical equipment is operating on outdated systems, exacerbating the issue, as healthcare facilities in Australia grapple with a scarcity of cybersecurity resources.
United States one step closer to banning Chinese owned social media platform TikTok over cyber security concerns
The US House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill aiming to ban TikTok due to concerns over its ties to the Chinese Communist Party, citing national security threats. President Joe Biden expressed willingness to sign the bill if approved by the Senate, following discussions on security implications and free speech concerns. ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, faces a choice: divest from CCP ties to continue operating in the US or risk the platform being banned in the country completely. Despite opposition from some lawmakers who argue against authoritarian measures, the fate of TikTok in the US now rests with the Senate's decision.
One year along Australia’s optimal pathway to nuclear-powered submarines
It has been one year since the release of Australia's 'optimal pathway' for acquiring nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS agreement, with concerns over US domestic budget discussions posing a threat to the plan. While the focus on submarine numbers may oversimplify AUKUS's significance, the agreement serves as a signal to China about the importance of US regional relationships and Indo-Pacific strategy. Despite challenges such as US submarine industrial base issues, progress has been made, including legislative authorization for submarine transfers to Australia and establishment of the Australian Submarine Agency. However, Australia must meet stringent criteria to ensure operational readiness and maintain US support amid ongoing strategic debates.