Outpaced at Sea? What AUKUS Reveals About Europe’s Strategic Drift

The AUKUS pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States has swiftly shifted the international dialogue on naval power (Hellyer & Stevens, 2022). For the first time, a non-nuclear weapon state is being armed with nuclear-powered submarines, thus changing not only the Indo-Pacific security environment but, additionally, opening a new chapter in strategic defence cooperation (Cheng, 2022). Whilst London and Washington were putting importance on the strategic need of countering China, Europe wаs left watching from afar: particularly France, whose billion-euro submarine deal with Australia had quickly collаpsed overnight (Tertrais, 2021). This аrticle explores how AUKUS redefines traditional defence norms and remodels the global nuclear submarine balance (Hellyer & Stevens, 2022). Likewise, it examines the implications for the European Union, which has long aimed for larger strategic autonomy, yet still struggles to coordinate effectively at sea (Fiott et al., 2021). Geographically speaking, AUKUS may be a distant pact, however, its message to Europe is as clear as day: naval power matters, and partnerships formed on trust, swiftness, as well as strategic clarity, are already setting the pace (Fiott, 2018).

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EU-Japan Strategic Partnership: Asian Influence on European Defence

The EU-Japan Security and Defence Partnership marks a transformative chapter in transregional cooperation, reflecting shared values of democracy, multilateralism, and the rule of law. This paper explores the brief evolution, core components, and strategic implications of the partnership that highlight its significance in addressing contemporary security challenges. Japan’s departure from its pacifist stance and increased integration into global defence frameworks, such as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) and NATO interoperability, complement the EU’s aspirations for strategic autonomy and expanded influence in the Indo-Pacific. Key areas of the proposed cooperation include military collaboration, cybersecurity, and space defence. Both actors agree on the alignment of strategic interests to counter threats from authoritarian regimes, regional instabilities, and hybrid warfare. The partnership also emphasises capacity-building initiatives to promote peace and stability globally. The paper argues that this partnership serves as a model for navigating geopolitical tensions in the Pacific theatre, including the challenges posed by China, North Korea, and Russia. Amidst uncertainties, such as the impact of the invasion of Ukraine and foreign policy shifts in the American presidency, the EU-Japan alliance represents a pivotal step toward resilient strategic autonomy in the region.

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The Maturation and Future of India-U.S. Defence Relations

This Info Flash provides a historical analysis of the progression of India-U.S. defence relations and its implication on the Indo-Pacific. Despite decades of apathy during the Cold War, there has been a rapid progression in India-U.S. defence cooperation amidst India’s emergence as a critical global governance actor. This is none more evident in the country’s membership and role in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), BRICS and its current G20 chairmanship (Panda, 2020). As such, one cannot overlook the saliency of India-U.S. defence relations, particularly in its implications on the Indo-Pacific region. Therefore, this Info Flash will briefly parse through the origins of India-U.S. defence relations and its dynamic progression since the post-Soviet era. This will provide the groundwork to assess the future of India-U.S. defence relations in the coming years.

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Enhancing the EU Partnership with Japan: A Fundamental Actor in the Indo-Pacific Region

The European Union (EU) has recently increased its focus on the Indo-Pacific region due to its commercial and military importance. The Joint Communication of the European Commission and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, issued in September 2021, is significant proof of the EU’s interest in this part of the world and presents the EU strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. This cooperation, as illustrated by the Communication, takes various forms, including completing trade agreements or resuming trade negotiations with several states in the area (including Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines), reinforcing the EU’s support in fields such as the healthcare system and fisheries management, and enhancing naval deployment by EU Member States (MS) to protect sea lines of communication and freedom of navigation (European Commission & High Representative, 2021).

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QUAD Summit: Moving Closer to the Indo-Pacific?

Following a heated geopolitical arena on the Indo-Pacific, the QUAD leaders - Australia, India, Japan and the US - marked the Indo-Pacific era, in which Washington and Beijing are the two key figures. The QUAD’s leaders convened on the 24th of September at the White House to strengthen their security ties in “free” Indo-Pacific and counterweight China’s emerging power. The Indo-Pacific rivalry sheds light on a new bipolar system between the US and China. On the one hand, Washington is establishing a counterbalance to China’s geo-economic growth through other security alliances in the Indo-Pacific region, such as the trilateral pact AUKUS between Australia, the UK and the US. On the other hand, China is increasing its geo-economic efforts of dominance through Belt and Road Initiative/BRI program to build its Silk Road, and not only.

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