Michael Wesley – författare

This book explores the various dimensions of energy security in Asia – which has become an increasingly important geopolitical issue. Reputable international contributors look at the roles played by each of the major energy importers: the United States, China, Japan and India, as well as the main suppliers: the OPEC states, Russia, the Central Asian states and Australia. In each case, the domestic politics of energy security are investigated, and state interests and perspectives on the issue are considered. Analyzing the policy and security aspects of energy security, the book includes an examination of:the geopolitics of energy competitionstrategic, economic and environmental dimensionsthe impacts of energy security on human security.With energy security being one of the central issues facing the world today, this book is a timely and impressive appraisal of the major energy security issues facing Asia.

This book explores the various dimensions of energy security in Asia – which has become an increasingly important geopolitical issue. Reputable international contributors look at the roles played by each of the major energy importers: the United States, China, Japan and India, as well as the main suppliers: the OPEC states, Russia, the Central Asian states and Australia. In each case, the domestic politics of energy security are investigated, and state interests and perspectives on the issue are considered. Analyzing the policy and security aspects of energy security, the book includes an examination of:the geopolitics of energy competitionstrategic, economic and environmental dimensionsthe impacts of energy security on human security.With energy security being one of the central issues facing the world today, this book is a timely and impressive appraisal of the major energy security issues facing Asia.

Discusses the processes, institutions, actors and calculations involved in foreign policy making in Australia. Looks at the role of the government departments and intelligence organisations that support the government's policy-making, and the thinking of the people who make it, in more detail than ever before. It draws on an extensive survey of how Australian foreign affairs officials think about the world. This fully revised and updated edition includes four new chapters on Australia's security, prosperity, values and its place in the world. It includes two new case studies covering the negotiation of the US-Australia free trade agreement and Australia's regional mission to the Solomon Islands.

In 2003 Australia conceived, financed and led a Pacific-wide intervention into Solomon Islands to prevent the collapse of that state. The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) was to remain there for fourteen years, costing over $2 billion and involving thousands of soldiers, police and public servants from Australia and across the Pacific. It was remarkably successful in an age of disastrous interventions. And yet, by the time it was withdrawn, RAMSI had largely vanished from the Australian public's mind.Helpem Fren is the first comprehensive history of Australia and the RAMSI intervention. Drawing on still-classified official documents and over thirty interviews, it records the preconditions, motivations and dynamics of RAMSI between 2003 and 2017. Providing an intimate look at the challenges of interventions and development assistance generally, Helpem Fren is also a portrait of the personalities involved and the complex interactions between two systems that couldn't be more different in culture, wealth, size and capacity.As Australia confronts the most challenging environment in the Pacific for seventy years, Helpem Fren offers readers a deeper understanding of the recent history of Australia's involvement with Solomon Islands and the Pacific.

Pithy and reflective, this book highlights the key economic and political issues that Australia should currently be considering as a Western country geographically and economically tied to Asia. For the first time in history, Australia will be uncomfortably close to the designs and demarches of competing great powers, and this book argues that rather than continuing to be insular and introspective, Australia needs to take the initiative in global affairs. This highly readable and relevant book by one of Australia’s best and most prominent thinkers calls for a renewed public engagement and debate regarding the future of the continent’s foreign policy.