The post-Cold War vision has dominated Australia’s National Security for almost three decades.
In the world that emerged after the fall of the Berlin Wall, threats were fragmented and came from organised crime or terrorist groups. Most governments relegated the idea of nation-states’ hot wars to the past. The 9/11 attacks in the United States solidified the view that fighting terrorism and crime was the best way to keep Australia safe.
This view has been changing for some time, and Australia is reviewing the main risks to its security over the coming decades in recognition that it is becoming extremely complex. While the older threats continue to be an issue, the risk of direct conflict with other nations is growing, particularly because of escalating tension in the Pacific.
The fact that economies, terrorism, crime and war have all become more technological and sophisticated only adds to this already complex scenario. Today, a country can attack an enemy and cause immense disruption and losses only with cyberattacks. Terrorists and criminals can do the same without having to explode a bomb.
This change in the global security landscape is putting tremendous pressure on our governments, security and defence organisations. They have to do much more than before with limited resources, and in many ways, the problems can’t be solved by simply increasing budgets.
