We are consistently reminded that Australia is a maritime trading nation and, as such, is exposed to all the vulnerabilities. So why haven't we prepared accordingly?
As the ceasefire in the Middle East collapses and both sides begin to once again ramp up their efforts to assert control over the Strait of Hormuz and the globally sensitive waterway, Australia is reminded of its inherent vulnerability to global maritime shocks.
To date, Australia's response to these challenges has been to default to the organs and institutions established by the post-World War II order, seeking arbitration, mediation and resolution, however, those mechanisms no longer suffice.
In this episode of the Contested Ground podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by UNSW's Professor Douglas Guilfoyle and Associate Professor Daniel Prior, authors of the World in Transition report detailing the challenges which face Australia and now thrown into public focus as a result of the conflict in the Middle East.
The trio deep dive into the legal, economic and political challenges that have emerged as a result of the conflict in the Middle East and Australia's mounting issues that will only continue to compound in the coming months.
They also discuss the ramifications of post-Cold War globalisation and the creation and vulnerability of the "just in time" supply chain ecosystems and what can be done to minimise our exposure to these challenges.
Finally, they also interrogate the phenomena of "friendshoring" and "reshoring" as solutions to bringing supply chains closer to home as a means of securing national interests and what models can be leveraged to change Australia's self-inflicted vulnerability.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Contested Ground team