David M. Andrews
@davidmandrews.bsky.social
Senior Policy Advisor at the ANU National Security College. Writing about defence, foreign, and security policy, alliances & multilateral security organisations. Former public servant. Christian. Sports fan.
What a joy to begin the week, and my last month working in Canberra (for now), at the Australian National Prayer Breakfast hearing my friend @johnpauldickson.bsky.social teaching from Romans 12:11-18. Conviction and compassion. Zeal united with grace, empathy, and joy. Rejoice in hope.
November 2, 2025 at 8:52 PM
What a joy to begin the week, and my last month working in Canberra (for now), at the Australian National Prayer Breakfast hearing my friend @johnpauldickson.bsky.social teaching from Romans 12:11-18. Conviction and compassion. Zeal united with grace, empathy, and joy. Rejoice in hope.
Picking up on this point from Rory Medcalf, I've also been struck by the very explicit "interests-forward" framing of the alliance that Labor has set out over the last year. It's a real shift, not only from the Abbott/Hockey era, but I'd say Howard/Downer, too.
October 22, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Picking up on this point from Rory Medcalf, I've also been struck by the very explicit "interests-forward" framing of the alliance that Labor has set out over the last year. It's a real shift, not only from the Abbott/Hockey era, but I'd say Howard/Downer, too.
This is the kind of direct - and accurate - headline writing that these circumstances require. Don't obfuscate, don't euphemise.
February 5, 2025 at 5:27 AM
This is the kind of direct - and accurate - headline writing that these circumstances require. Don't obfuscate, don't euphemise.
The true duality of LinkedIn - have you considered that you might simultaneously be suited to a position as either a relatively junior analyst or a Commonwealth department head? 🤔😂
January 20, 2025 at 10:54 AM
The true duality of LinkedIn - have you considered that you might simultaneously be suited to a position as either a relatively junior analyst or a Commonwealth department head? 🤔😂
A bit slow on the uptake on my part, but it was a privilege to be interviewed for this recent article in Tempo about the future role of Indonesia in the Indo-Pacific and US-China relations in Southeast Asia.
www.tempo.co/internasiona...
www.tempo.co/internasiona...
December 10, 2024 at 1:20 AM
A bit slow on the uptake on my part, but it was a privilege to be interviewed for this recent article in Tempo about the future role of Indonesia in the Indo-Pacific and US-China relations in Southeast Asia.
www.tempo.co/internasiona...
www.tempo.co/internasiona...
There was much more said, including parliamentary vs. presidential systems, the make-up of the Australian and US bureaucracies, the APS's unique expertise and advisory functions, and a few prominent individuals' cases...including @dieworkwear.bsky.social
December 5, 2024 at 12:16 AM
There was much more said, including parliamentary vs. presidential systems, the make-up of the Australian and US bureaucracies, the APS's unique expertise and advisory functions, and a few prominent individuals' cases...including @dieworkwear.bsky.social
The little fella's first chance to watch a Wallabies game live - nice to have one during the day! 🦘🏉
July 20, 2024 at 6:22 AM
The little fella's first chance to watch a Wallabies game live - nice to have one during the day! 🦘🏉
A defence/espionage adventure novel by a first-time Aussie author who's also a fellow ANU SDSC Masters graduate? This deserves a read!
May 21, 2024 at 2:27 AM
A defence/espionage adventure novel by a first-time Aussie author who's also a fellow ANU SDSC Masters graduate? This deserves a read!
4. Five Eyes is not specified as an "intelligence-sharing partnership" (a common way of describing it in the past), possibly suggesting the broader, evolving concept of FVEY is being embraced by this government too?
April 19, 2024 at 4:24 AM
4. Five Eyes is not specified as an "intelligence-sharing partnership" (a common way of describing it in the past), possibly suggesting the broader, evolving concept of FVEY is being embraced by this government too?
3. This is the only mention of the Quad in the NDS (§7.30). Seems much more central in DFAT characterisations of Australia's foreign policy.
April 19, 2024 at 4:23 AM
3. This is the only mention of the Quad in the NDS (§7.30). Seems much more central in DFAT characterisations of Australia's foreign policy.
Some minor points of interest from the National Defence Strategy:
1. A timely reminder that NZ is, other than the US, Australia's only formal treaty ally.
2. My fave underappreciated security institution, the Five Power Defence Arrangements, gets front billing in the Southeast Asia section.
1. A timely reminder that NZ is, other than the US, Australia's only formal treaty ally.
2. My fave underappreciated security institution, the Five Power Defence Arrangements, gets front billing in the Southeast Asia section.
April 19, 2024 at 4:22 AM
Some minor points of interest from the National Defence Strategy:
1. A timely reminder that NZ is, other than the US, Australia's only formal treaty ally.
2. My fave underappreciated security institution, the Five Power Defence Arrangements, gets front billing in the Southeast Asia section.
1. A timely reminder that NZ is, other than the US, Australia's only formal treaty ally.
2. My fave underappreciated security institution, the Five Power Defence Arrangements, gets front billing in the Southeast Asia section.
"Thine be the glory, risen, conqu'ring Son;
endless is the vict'ry Thou o’er death hast won."
endless is the vict'ry Thou o’er death hast won."
March 31, 2024 at 1:14 AM
"Thine be the glory, risen, conqu'ring Son;
endless is the vict'ry Thou o’er death hast won."
endless is the vict'ry Thou o’er death hast won."
"God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through him. So let us bring the needs of the whole world to the foot of the cross of Christ."
March 29, 2024 at 1:34 AM
"God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through him. So let us bring the needs of the whole world to the foot of the cross of Christ."
Secondly, on Australia-China ties, must China be either "a complex relationship to be managed" or "a threat to be confronted"? Would not the dominant framing of "complex" also include the prospect of threat?
March 12, 2024 at 8:51 AM
Secondly, on Australia-China ties, must China be either "a complex relationship to be managed" or "a threat to be confronted"? Would not the dominant framing of "complex" also include the prospect of threat?
Interestingly, a subsequent question on the defence budget notes that half of respondents believe its share of spending is right. That doesn't strike me as a particular condemnation of defence priorities.
March 12, 2024 at 8:50 AM
Interestingly, a subsequent question on the defence budget notes that half of respondents believe its share of spending is right. That doesn't strike me as a particular condemnation of defence priorities.
My biggest frustration is that the two most consequential questions are shaped by false dichotomies. First, must Australia be either "primarily a US ally" or an "independent middle power with influence in the Asia-Pacific"?
March 12, 2024 at 8:49 AM
My biggest frustration is that the two most consequential questions are shaped by false dichotomies. First, must Australia be either "primarily a US ally" or an "independent middle power with influence in the Asia-Pacific"?
When in Australian capitals, one must visit the State Library and squint against the grandeur...
March 5, 2024 at 3:03 AM
When in Australian capitals, one must visit the State Library and squint against the grandeur...
It has been a great privilege to participate in the maritime cooperation track of the 2024 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit.
Congratulations to the whole organising team on a fantastic event!
Read more about the Special Summit here: aseanaustralia.pmc.gov.au
Congratulations to the whole organising team on a fantastic event!
Read more about the Special Summit here: aseanaustralia.pmc.gov.au
March 4, 2024 at 4:41 AM
It has been a great privilege to participate in the maritime cooperation track of the 2024 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit.
Congratulations to the whole organising team on a fantastic event!
Read more about the Special Summit here: aseanaustralia.pmc.gov.au
Congratulations to the whole organising team on a fantastic event!
Read more about the Special Summit here: aseanaustralia.pmc.gov.au
Percy is here to make sure I keep writing - blocking any attempts to move my chair away from the desk with his powerful snooze attack.
January 27, 2024 at 11:12 AM
Percy is here to make sure I keep writing - blocking any attempts to move my chair away from the desk with his powerful snooze attack.