An incisive collection that analyses Australia's defence situation as it stands today and places it in a national and international context.

Almost half a century ago, the Australian National University's TB Millar penned a seminal book on Australian defence policy in the lead up to the Vietnam War. Today, Australia's defence forces are returning from long conflicts overseas, while the rise of China and the economic integration in the Indo-Pacific presents a complex mix of challenges and opportunities.

Drawing inspiration from Millar's original volume, Australia's Defence: Towards a New Era? brings together leading experts to examine the domestic and international context of Australia's defence policy, Australian strategy and the size and state of our armed forces. As the country heads towards a new era, this book provides an in-depth overview and key insights into the past, present and future of Australia's defence.

Dr Peter J Dean is a Fellow and Director of Studies at the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University, a managing editor of the journal Security Challenges, contributing editor for Global War Studies and the current Fulbright Fellow in Australia-United States Alliance Studies. Peter is the author/editor of numerous works on Australian military history and defence policy, including The Architect of Victory (2010) and Australia 1942: In the Shadow of War (2012).

Dr Stephan Frühling is a Senior Lecturer at the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University, and a managing editor of the journal Security Challenges. He is the author of Defence Planning and Uncertainty (2014) and A History of Australian Defence Policy Since 1945 (2009).

Dr Brendan Taylor is Head of the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University. He is a specialist on great power strategic relations in the Asia-Pacific, economic sanctions and Asian security architecture. His work has featured in such leading academic journals as International Affairs, Survival and the Australian Journal of International Affairs. He is the author/editor of five books, including Australia as an Asia-Pacific Regional Power (2007) and Sanctions as Grand Strategy (2010).