Perth USAsia Centre

Security is about more than defence and ‘things painted grey’.

While warships, aircraft and military capability remain vital, national security today also includes energy security, supply chains, critical minerals, fuel resilience, technology, and cybersecurity.

For WA, protecting the digital systems that underpin mining, energy, ports and trade is increasingly a strategic imperative. Equally important are strong relationships with key regional partners including Japan, South Korea, Indonesia and India.

In an increasingly interconnected world, economic resilience, digital security and diplomacy are all critical elements of national security.

Read Centre CEO Gordon Flake's op-ed here: https://bit.ly/4wgRCiV

Many people ask why is hosted in Perth, Western Australia.

The answer lies in Perth's strategic location. Positioned on the eastern edge of the Indian Ocean, Western Australia serves as a gateway between Australia and key partners including the United States, China, India, Korea, Japan, Indonesia and Vietnam.

Often described as Australia's Indian Ocean capital, Perth continues to play a central role in maritime security, trade, energy and defence co-operation across the region.

Learn more about Australia's relationships with key partners through our professional microcredential, commencing 20 July: https://bit.ly/3NFaWoA

From conference delegates to high school students, the Centre team was delighted to connect with attendees at our booth during and , showcasing our range of online Indo-Pacific courses.

A big thank you to L. Gordon Flake and Abraham Denmark for stopping by, and to Parisa De Jonge GAICD, Melinda Mounsey, Bella Benjamin, Kathryn Froend, Renee Chalon and Amy Doherty or helping highlight the Centre’s role in building Indo-Pacific knowledge and capability.

Learn more about our online courses here: https://bit.ly/4sL2m6H

Learn more about our publications here: https://bit.ly/49y9o7R

Proud to have been the Conference Partner of this week's .

Over three days in Perth, leaders from government, defence, industry and academia explored the future of security in the Indian Ocean region, with contributions from senior Australian, US and Japanese defence leaders, regional representatives, and Centre fellows Jasmin Diab and Jo Feldman.

The conference was a valuable opportunity to strengthen connections and continue important conversations on Australia’s Indian Ocean strategy.

Thank you to those who attended, we look forward to seeing you in 2028.

📢 DEFENCE MONTH

In the final op-ed of our series, Dr Dr Iain MacGillivray, Senior Research Fellow of International Affairs and Defence Strategy at the Centre, examines how the conflict in Iran and the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz highlight the dangers of strategic hubris and overly optimistic assumptions in warfare.

From chokepoint pressure to coalition strain and coercion below the threshold of open conflict, the lessons are historically familiar, and closely watched by sophisticated adversaries.

Hormuz is not the end of the story. It’s the beginning.

Read on: https://bit.ly/4e53ttj

Assumptions, not reality: Australia's Indian Ocean challenge - Perth USAsia Centre Assumptions, not reality: Australia’s Indian Ocean challenge What is the cost of getting the Indian Ocean wrong? via Canva.com Dr Iain MacGillivraySenior Research Fellow: International Affairs and Defence Strategy, Perth USAsia Centre 26 May 2026 Join the Perth USAsia Centre in the...

📢 DEFENCE MONTH

In the fourth op-ed of our series, panellist Jennifer Parker (Adjunct Professor at UWA Defence and Security Institute , and Troy Lee-Brown (Research Fellow at the UWA Defence and Security Institute), highlight a reality Australia has long overlooked - that the Indian Ocean sits at the centre of the nation’s economic and strategic security, exposed most recently by the Iran War.

Read 'The Indian Ocean is no longer secondary' here: https://bit.ly/4v4B4t7

The Indian Ocean is no longer secondary - Perth USAsia Centre The Indian Ocean is no longer secondary The Iran war is again exposing a reality Australia has long overlooked: the Indian Ocean sits at the centre of the nation’s economic and strategic security. Jennifer Parker Adjunct Professor, University of Western Australia Defence and Security InstituteNon-...

The Perth USAsia Centre is an exhibitor at this year's .

Meet the team, learn about our diverse range of online Indo-Pacific courses, and find out how our bespoke workshop offerings can support your organisation.

Learn more about IODS here: https://bit.ly/4tEMaEY

🎥 Documentary Screening at UWA 🎥
The Last Accord-War, Apocalypse, and Peace in Aceh
6pm on Thursday 28 May

This powerful documentary explores one of Southeast Asia’s longest-running conflicts and the peace process that brought it to an end.

Through exclusive interviews with former combatants, government officials, international mediators, and civil society leaders, the film explores how an inclusive peace process replaced mistrust and violence with reconciliation and hope.

Friend of the Centre Dino Patti Djalal (Founder & Chairman, Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia) is the executive producer of the documentary, and will discuss the key themes of the documentary alongside Dr Ian Wilson (Principal Fellow, Indo-Pacific Research Centre, Murdoch University) and moderator Cika Kalista Adinda (Master Student, Murdoch University).

Book FREE tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/the-last-accord-war-apocalypse-and-peace-in-aceh-perth-screening

We look forward to seeing you there.

To kick off our new Strategic Partnership with Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia - AISWA, our team joined 450 school leaders from across WA at the 2026 AISWA Leaders Conference this week to showcase our online education programs including our flagship microcredential for high school students.

Centre CEO Professor Gordon Flake delivered the keynote and in conversation session during dinner, offering insights into international and geopolitical trends impacting Australia.

We’re looking forward to building our partnership with AISWA to develop capabilities and connections with their 160 member schools. Thanks to the AISWA team for a great event.

Learn more about our high school mocrocredential exploring Australia’s strategic relationship with Indo-Pacific nations here: https://bit.ly/40Sv1Ln

📢 DEFENCE MONTH

In the third op-ed in our series, Jasmin Diab (Partner/MD at GSNP) explores how Australia can play a bigger leadership role in regional nuclear security.

As strengthens Western Australia’s role in the Indo-Pacific security landscape, Australia also has an opportunity to help shape nuclear safety standards, regulation, and cooperation across the Indian Ocean region.

Read 'AUKUS and the Indian Ocean: Why getting nuclear stewardship right, matters now' here: https://bit.ly/4nGrme3

AUKUS and the Indian Ocean: Why getting nuclear stewardship right, matters now - Perth USAsia Centre AUKUS and the Indian Ocean: Why getting nuclear stewardship right, matters now As the region becomes more nuclear, it must also become more secure. Jasmin DiabSenior Research Adviser: Nuclear Technologies,Perth USAsia Centre 19 May 2026 Join the Perth USAsia Centre in the lead‑up to the 2026 India...