China's domestic problems a 'recipe for regional disaster'

David Wroe, Daniel Flitton China's likely preoccupation with its own economic and political challenges in coming years could become a ''recipe for disaster'' if the country's leadership neglects its ''potentially explosive''...

Coalition refugee plan in legal doubt

Bianca Hall and David Wroe The United Nations and international law experts say a Coalition plan to block every Sri Lankan asylum seeker boat from reaching Australian waters, without first testing refugee claims, may breach...

Rudd tells of risks over Asia divisions

David Wroe Kevin Rudd has warned escalating territorial disputes between China and its neighbours are a ''tinderbox on water'', and compared the situation to tensions in the Balkans a century ago that sparked...

Canberra denies Sri Lanka people-smuggling report

David Wroe The Gillard government has flatly denied a news report that a senior Sri Lankan government official was suspected by Australian authorities to have been complicit in the people-smuggling trade.

Militants threaten to kill Aussie hostage

David Wroe Philippines militant group Abu Sayyaf has threatened to kill Australian hostage Warren Rodwell unless a ransom is paid, in a message accompanying the latest proof-of-life photo.

It's official: Abbott now Mr Positive

David Wroe As if there was any doubt, Tony Abbott made two things clear in his response to Prime Minister Julia Gillard's surprise election announcement: one, he's now Mr Positive, and two, he means to be John...

Abbott's first pitch evokes memories of a leader from the past

David Wroe Tony Abbott made two things clear in his response to Julia Gillard's surprise election announcement: one, he's all about positivity, and two, he means to be John Howard II.

This election about trust: Abbott

David Wroe Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has declared the September 14 election will be ''about trust'' as he flagged a campaign to paint the Gillard government as incompetent and rehabilitate his ''Mr No''...

Money but no troops to aid Mali fight

David Wroe Australia will contribute $10 million to the peacekeeping mission in Mali as the international community steps up its efforts to drive back Islamist militants threatening the stability of the West...

Air force faces strike fighter gap

David Wroe Australia will almost certainly be forced to buy 24 new Super Hornet fighter planes for about $2 billion to plug a looming gap in its air defences caused by delays in the purchase of the cutting-edge...

US rejects Carr's plea on Mid-East

David Wroe The US has brushed aside a plea by Foreign Minister Bob Carr to use its clout to restart the Middle East peace process, saying it is up to the ''international community'' to pave the way for fresh...

Gillard visits top secret spy hub

David Wroe Julia Gillard has become only the second Australian prime minister to visit the top secret Defence Signals Directorate facility in Canberra, as she formally announced the establishment of a new cyber...

'9/11 decade over', Asia new security focus

David Wroe Declaring the ''9/11 decade'' to be over, Prime Minister Julia Gillard has announced that Australia's national security focus will switch firmly to the Asia-Pacific region, where the rise of new...

9/11 decade over: defence focus on cyber security

David Wroe DECLARING the ''9/11 decade'' to be over, the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, has announced that Australia's national security focus will switch firmly to the Asia-Pacific region, where the rise of...

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Defence looks at closing bases to save money

David Wroe Dozens of Australian military bases and army reserves depots face possible closure under a drive to save money amid a $5.5 billion cut to defence spending.

Army bases to close under push to cut defence budget

David Wroe Dozens of military bases and army reserve depots face possible closure under a drive to save money amid a $5.5 billion cut to defence spending.

Three Diggers wounded in Uruzgan

David Wroe Three Australian special forces soldiers have been wounded in a shoot-out with Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan, with two needing to be flown to Australia for treatment.

Carr defends India nuclear record

David Wroe The Foreign Affairs Minister, Bob Carr, has defended India's nuclear non-proliferation record as Australian officials prepare to start talks on safeguards that will allow the export of uranium to the...

Defence to raise view on Africa

David Wroe and Glenda Kwek Defence Force chief wants clearer information on the location of Australians in Africa.