PERSPECTIVES:ASIA | ADAM FINDLAY |
On August 22, 2024, the Griffith Asia Institute, in partnership with the Australian Centre of Asia-Pacific Art (ACAPA) at QAGOMA, hosted an enlightening Perspectives: Asia lecture on The 2024 National Defence Strategy. This event featured Major General (Retired) Professor Adam Findlay AO, an esteemed expert in defence and regional security, with over 37 years of military experience.
As the Founding Director of the Griffith University Defence Network (GDNet), Major General Findlay brings invaluable insight from his extensive military career, including key leadership roles in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Southeast Asia. Most notably, he commanded the coalition Special Forces during the pivotal Battle of Mosul against ISIS in 2017. Today, he is at the forefront of Griffith University’s initiatives to enhance Australia’s national security and support its veterans.
Key Themes from the Lecture
Released in April 2024, the National Defence Strategy (NDS) addresses Australia’s most pressing security challenges, claiming that the country is in “its most challenging strategic period since the Second World War.” The core of this strategy revolves around managing the intensifying US-China rivalry and the growing militarization of the Indo-Pacific region. The NDS introduces a “Strategy of Denial” aimed at mitigating these unprecedented risks, raising key questions about its effectiveness in protecting Australia’s national interests.
During the lecture, Major General Findlay provided a deep dive into the NDS, exploring whether this new approach can truly safeguard Australia in an increasingly complex geo-strategic environment. His talk covered the strategy’s potential strengths and vulnerabilities, offering fresh perspectives on how Australia can navigate this critical moment in its defence planning.
Whether you’re a defence expert, student, or curious observer of global security issues, this lecture is a must-watch for anyone interested in Australia’s defence policies and Indo-Pacific security.
