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How to Defend Australia
by
Hugh White
4.13 · Rating details · 116 ratings · 14 reviews
A brilliant and important book about Australia’s future. Can Australia defend itself in the Asian century? How seriously ought we take the risk of war? Do we want to remain a middle power? What kind of strategy, and what Australian Defence Force, do we need? In this groundbreaking book, Hugh White considers these questions and more. With exceptional clarity and frankness, he makes the case for a reconceived defence of Australia. Along the way he offers intriguing insights into history, technology and the Australian way of war. Hugh White is the country’s most provocative, revelatory and yet realistic commentator on Australia’s strategic and defence orientation. In an age of power politics and armed rivalry in Asia, it is time for fresh thinking. In this controversial and persuasive contribution, White sets new terms for one of the most crucial conversations Australia needs to have. (less)
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Kindle Edition, 336 pages
Published July 2nd 2019 by La Trobe University Press
ASIN
B07M8956X1
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Oct 06, 2019Martin Dunn rated it really liked it
Shelves: politics
I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to understand Australian defence policy and the challenges it currently faces.
I worked for Hugh White, nearly 20 years ago now, when he was the deputy secretary responsible for strategy in the Australian Department of Defence. Thus many of the arguments were familiar to me, but with an important twist – what if Australia cannot rely on the United States as the ultimate guarantor or its security when confronted with a much more powerful China.
White’s answer I that we need to spend much more on defence to provide an independent capability to resist China, in particular building our maritime denial capabilities (manifested in a large submarine capability). Anything less would fail to provide meaningful security, and may even reduce it.
The rise of China as a major power was not totally a surprise. It was identified as far back as the 1994 Defence White Paper – at a time Australia’s exports to China were still less than those to (still British) Hong Kong or Taiwan. But dealing with China was left as a problem for the United States, too distant from Australia to really be a worry. This approach seemed perfectly rational at the time. My observation is that even two decades ago was that a war with China was going to be too hard. Should Australia end up in a war with China, it would be as an ally of the United States – and a minor partner at that.
Nor is the thought that the United States might flirt with isolationism all that new. For most of the time that the US has existed it has sought to distance itself from the world’s problems, arriving late for both the world wars. While the Cold War drew the US into the role of protector of the free world, it has also demonstrated that there is a limit to which it was prepared to support its erstwhile allies. The Republic of China 1949, Cuba (Bay of Pigs) 1961, South Vietnam 1975, Lebanon 1983, Somalia 1991 and the Syrian Kurds 2019 stand as examples. For Australia, much of our strategy has been to build the depth of our relationship so that we would not be easily abandoned – and to present any adversary at least the very real risk that the United States might intervene on Australia’s side.
White’s argument starts with proposition that Australian defence spending has to be based on defending Australia without having to rely on the combat forces of any other nation. This proposition seems powerfully intuitive, but neglects the fact that most Australian military commitments have been to promote security more broadly. From the 1970s through to recent years, Hugh White points out the direct threat was Indonesia; essentially (rather implausibly) a rerun of Konfrontasi (1963-66) but directed Southwards. White argues that a Chinese threat is now a more credible yardstick for developing the self-reliant defence of Australia.
While White steps through his arguments carefully, at the end they remain unconvincing. Why should we consider a Chinese attack on Australia as sufficiently likely that we need to significantly increase defence spending? In 1942, the Japanese Army thought invasion of Australia was infeasible – and geography would put the same constraints on China. A large submarine fleet is useful if your opponent is a maritime power, but is not much use otherwise. It seems likely that Australia will be drawn into conflicts in the Pacific islands or the Middle East (much as it has in the past), even if these conflicts do not threaten Australian sovereignty – and submarines here are largely irrelevant.
Ultimately, strategic planning involves assessing and prioritising risks. For a middle power, it is not possible to address every threat. There needs to be a choice based on the significance, likelihood and capacity to respond to various threats. White’s book will at least provoke some thinking on these issues.
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Jul 06, 2019Adam marked it as to-read
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My notes:
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Seen in Paul Monk's review https://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts...
Paul Monk was the head of the 'China desk' at the Defence Intelligence Organisation (DIO). So he probably knows what he's talking about and think's Hugh White is full of it (which we knew anyway and I agree). Seems the DIO has churned out some half-decent analysts afterall ;-p (less)
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Mar 30, 2020Ietrio rated it did not like it
Shelves: junk
I think White is just a tongue in cheek reference to the text. The author only lacks the bed sheets to make a full Klan member.
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Jan 25, 2020James rated it really liked it
Shelves: profession-of-arms, 2020
Hugh White's 'How to Defend Australia' provides clarity and insight into the key debates surrounding (or that should surround) Australia's defence policy. The structure of White's argument walks the reader through key questions that link the four parts of his overarching thesis, which I took to be that Australia needs to seriously reconsider what it needs to be able to defend itself from, and as a result, must re-design the force that is currently being procured (and fast).
Part geopolitics, part Realpolitik and grounded in an astute understanding of Australian politics and policy processes this book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the overarching questions that shape Defence policy in Australia and the key considerations discussed behind-closed-doors in Canberra. Further, the introduction to the language of defence policy is both clear and enlightening.
Although I am not necessarily convinced by all of White's arguments, I applaud this book as the most clearly articulated synthesis and synopsis of the key debates that underpin Australia's strategic outlook. A must-read for junior officers in the ADF. (less)
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Nov 08, 2019Coan rated it really liked it
Provides a very good history and insight into current defence policy.
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Oct 16, 2019Stanley Xue rated it liked it
Most people would agree that after decades of US hegemony, the rise of Asia has made the world a more uncertain place and increased our strategic risks (the risk of a threat to Australia).
My first time reading about issues to deal with Australia's defence - most people would agree that some semblance of a defence force is necessary for a nation like ours (somewhere between no defence force at all and conscription of every living and breathing organism). White seeks to find out where the optimum balance between risk and capability exists - by define why we would need a defence force in the first place? what we would reasonably be expected to do? and how could we shape a defence force to carry out these tasks?
White argues that Australia has concentric layered strategic objectives starting from 1. being able to defend the continent 2. being able to maintain stability in our surrounding archipelagos to prevent the chance that anyone could establish bases from which to launch an attack on Australia 3. perhaps being able to support a coalition to counterbalance any emerging aggressive threats in South East Asia or 4. in the wider Asian region.
Also, White asserts that the current investments made by both Liberal and Labour parties in the past decade or so have kept analysis of these interests in mind. Australia should be making more investment into a maritime denial strategy - since we are an island nation and there is an asymmetry in the effectiveness of maritime control (having a navy that keeps a whole ocean safe) vs. maritime denial (having the means to stop enemies from establishing maritime control) i.e. it is easier to take down enemy ships rather than establishing maritime control with our own ships which would be vulnerable to the enemy's denial strategies.
White builds his argument from there.
Lots of additional notes/references that seem to promise a juicy read. (less)
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Aug 28, 2020Adam Lines rated it it was amazing
White provides clarity on how Australia's current defence policy came about and where it's going wrong. While also charting a course for us to follow if we choose to become a middle power nation capable of independent defence in the future.
He shows how on our current path we'll likely remain stuck between a small power and middle power status, spending vast sums for little reward. And how as a nation we must decide if we're happy to become a small power (and there's no shame in that - many countries choose to be and save billions in spending), or if we're willing to spend, and more importantly design our defence strategy accordingly, to become a middle power.
I highly recommend this book to anybody wishing to become more informed with Australia's defence policies and choices. (less)
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Oct 25, 2020Wing rated it really liked it
White explains the advantages of strategic independence and why maritime denial is the key. The author explains why to achieves this we will need to spend both more and more efficiently in defence. Geography is certainly on our side but our demographics, when compared with the expected trajectories of our neighbours, are not that flash. The prose is very clear and can be easily followed by the lay reader. Strategic policy is indeed a fascinating and immediate discipline and White manages to make it very engaging. Four stars. (less)
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Apr 25, 2020Luke Radic rated it really liked it
Shelves: defence
Not a bad book
Could do with more mathematics, graphs and information to back up more statements otherwise good questioning of a lot of rationale within the military establishment
Agree with the logic of a lot of his conclusions
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Jul 05, 2020Dillon rated it it was amazing
A very easy to read and detailed analysis of Australia's potential defense needs. It's an interesting and sobering read. (less)
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Apr 19, 2020Alex Whigham rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Great book that really changed my thinking and understanding about where Australia sits in regards to its neighbours and the rest of the world in regards to defence
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Nov 07, 2019Peter Hawkeye rated it liked it · review of another edition
A compelling, thought provoking publication, that I think should be required reading for all literate persons to form a qualitative debate on what is a very important question posed by the author.
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Dec 11, 2020Iskandar Muhammad rated it really liked it
Overall, the author provides well grounded arguments on Australia's defence policy and dilemmas. The book is rather repetitive but it reinforces the core arguments. (less)
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Product description
Book Description
A blueprint for Australia's strategic position and future in a changing world order.
About the Author
Hugh White is the author of The China Choice and two Quarterly Essays, Power Shift and Without America. He has been an intelligence analyst, journalist, senior adviser to Defence Minister Kim Beazley and Prime Minister Bob Hawke, and senior official in the Department of Defence, and was the principal author of Australia's 2000 Defence White Paper. White is professor of strategic studies at the ANU.
Top reviews from Australia
Martin Dunn
4.0 out of 5 stars How to defend Australia.... against China !!!
Reviewed in Australia on 8 October 2019
Verified Purchase
I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to understand Australian defence policy and the challenges it currently faces.
I worked for Hugh White, nearly 20 years ago now, when he was the deputy secretary responsible for strategy in the Australian Department of Defence. Thus many of the arguments were familiar to me, but with an important twist – what if Australia cannot rely on the United States as the ultimate guarantor or its security when confronted with a much more powerful China.
White’s answer I that we need to spend much more on defence to provide an independent capability to resist China, in particular building our maritime denial capabilities (manifested in a large submarine capability). Anything less would fail to provide meaningful security, and may even reduce it.
The rise of China as a major power was not totally a surprise. It was identified as far back as the 1994 Defence White Paper – at a time Australia’s exports to China were still less than those to (still British) Hong Kong or Taiwan. But dealing with China was left as a problem for the United States, too distant from Australia to really be a worry. This approach seemed perfectly rational at the time. My observation is that even two decades ago was that a war with China was going to be too hard. Should Australia end up in a war with China, it would be as an ally of the United States – and a minor partner at that.
Nor is the thought that the United States might flirt with isolationism all that new. For most of the time that the US has existed it has sought to distance itself from the world’s problems, arriving late for both the world wars. While the Cold War drew the US into the role of protector of the free world, it has also demonstrated that there is a limit to which it was prepared to support its erstwhile allies. The Republic of China 1949, Cuba (Bay of Pigs) 1961, South Vietnam 1975, Lebanon 1983, Somalia 1991 and the Syrian Kurds 2019 stand as examples. For Australia, much of our strategy has been to build the depth of our relationship so that we would not be easily abandoned – and to present any adversary at least the very real risk that the United States might intervene on Australia’s side.
White’s argument starts with proposition that Australian defence spending has to be based on defending Australia without having to rely on the combat forces of any other nation. This proposition seems powerfully intuitive, but neglects the fact that most Australian military commitments have been to promote security more broadly. From the 1970s through to recent years, Hugh White points out the direct threat was Indonesia; essentially (rather implausibly) a rerun of Konfrontasi (1963-66) but directed Southwards. White argues that a Chinese threat is now a more credible yardstick for developing the self-reliant defence of Australia.
While White steps through his arguments carefully, at the end they remain unconvincing. Why should we consider a Chinese attack on Australia as sufficiently likely that we need to significantly increase defence spending? In 1942, the Japanese Army thought invasion of Australia was infeasible – and geography would put the same constraints on China. A large submarine fleet is useful if your opponent is a maritime power, but is not much use otherwise. It seems likely that Australia will be drawn into conflicts in the Pacific islands or the Middle East (much as it has in the past), even if these conflicts do not threaten Australian sovereignty – and submarines here are largely irrelevant.
Ultimately, strategic planning involves assessing and prioritising risks. For a middle power, it is not possible to address every threat. There needs to be a choice based on the significance, likelihood and capacity to respond to various threats. White’s book will at least provoke some thinking on these issues.
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Ausssie Man
5.0 out of 5 stars Well thought through review
Reviewed in Australia on 31 August 2019
Verified Purchase
Man. You can just see how a mix of muddled politics. Unclear strategic thinking from forces that want big toys...a belief that the US is here forever...has dug us a big hole that it will be hard to get out of.
One person found this helpful
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joe public
5.0 out of 5 stars A very good read.
Reviewed in Australia on 18 August 2019
Verified Purchase
As a layman, not involved in the defence industry, I found Hugh White’s book to be extremely thought provoking, and indeed a bit worrying. Inasmuch as I don’t think our politicians are up to the challenge of making the hard decisions outlined for our future defence.
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Colo 42
5.0 out of 5 stars Australia's defence 101
Reviewed in Australia on 8 January 2020
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Compelling reading and any Australian interested in a realistic evaluation of our defence options should read this book. Peeling back the political bias of defence speak Hugh provides a realistic number of options for Australia's defence strategy. Many of the options will be dependent on what we as the tax payers are prepared to let Governments know we are willing to bare. Excellent read.
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Barb Wire
3.0 out of 5 stars An important book for all australians to read to help them understand our place in Asia
Reviewed in Australia on 5 August 2019
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Well thought out hypothesis from very knowledgable background info, though a bit slow nd dull at times. Makes you think. I hope some of out politicians have a read. They really need to understand these ideas.
One person found this helpful
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LeReviewer
5.0 out of 5 stars Essential to own
Reviewed in Australia on 1 August 2020
Verified Purchase
Essential for Australian's everywhere!
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barry
1.0 out of 5 stars repetitive
Reviewed in Australia on 1 September 2019
Verified Purchase
Hard going very repetitive
2 people found this helpful
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Greg Zeng
2.0 out of 5 stars Australian forward defence, as traditionally done.
Reviewed in Australia on 13 January 2020
This cultural artifact is stereotypical of similar binary people: total war, so that we are the only winner; all others are losers.
The religious foundations to binary activism causes this current biological mass extinction; another of several in the lifetime of this planet.
As a native born Australian (fourth generation), it amused our national conformity to Saul Alinsky's "Rules For Radicals". Identify a very clear external 'threat' (China and the Yellow Hordes).
Pretend that they want to do to us, what we really want to do to them. Fight!
These Dead Sea religious zealots had now created and are closing this current geological period: the anthropocene. This militaristic stance perpetuates the white male supremacy, which includes the current mass extinction of most biological life species again.
When this book succeeds it's religious purposes, in a few billion years hence, there might develop another life form to show the role of this book. In the meantime, rejoice in the lifelong goal of my nation: foreign imperialism onto and into other nations (forward 'defence').
6 people found this helpful
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PAUL MICHAEL RIISAGER
5.0 out of 5 stars the profound effect of the current Administration's "Policy" on the security of the Western Pacific
Reviewed in the United States on 4 September 2019
Verified Purchase
I bought this book to learn about Australia's military security vis a vis S.E. Asia/Western Pacific nations.
I was aghast at the effect of the Trump Administration's exiting the USA's formerly declared support for Australasia, and the concerns of Australia to adapt to the potential threats in its geographical environment absent the buttress of a dependable ally in the US.
Mind-boggling.
3 people found this helpful
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"diligentflyswatter"
5.0 out of 5 stars Critical for Australia's survival
Reviewed in the United States on 8 June 2020
Verified Purchase
I never wrote reviews. I do now. This is critical reading for all Australians who need their nation to exist in 30 years' time.
Children/Grandchildren anyone?
Australia is a tiny economy with a relatively minuscule population in a continent in a region with emergent superpowers with massive economies, populations and militaries. It will take BOTH the utmost efficiency of use of defence spending AND an increase in said spending for there to be any hope of survival.
Hugh rightly shows that maritime control is out of the question with Australia's limited resources - but there is a chance for maritime denial.
Australia cannot waste money on poorly chosen defence hardware - particularly the appealing idea of "a little bit of everything" but not enough of anything. Asymmetries of geography must be exploited. Expensive warships may please Admirals looking for showpiece toys, but the reality is they are expensive Torpedo Targets (T2). Tanks are fun to drive, but 70 to defend a continent? Maybe the invaders will die of laughter.
Submarines, mines (especially mines), satellites, drones and missiles provide bang for the buck that Australia MUST exploit when surrounded by Goliaths. Simply replacing fighters with the same number we had in the 1970's and in the same locations as the 1970's will not cut it. If Japan needs 300+ fighters for a small group of islands, how can an entire continent get by with 72? Obviously vastly more are needed. A realistic minimum for a continent is 400+. (Though the book suggests 200, presumably in the hope of achieving any increase at all.)
Is having them mostly in Newcastle next to a shutdown steelworks really tactically sensible? Or would dispersal over a continent make them harder to eliminate?
6, 12 or even 24 submarines to defend an entire continent is a sad joke. What Australia used to have and where it used to be is a suitable benchmark for 1950 when there was no regional threat. This is 2020 - now the region is completely different. The number of submarines - the most powerful maritime weapon - must be based on the situation now, not what was done in the 80's.
This book is a wake up call for Australia to restructure its defence force in a way that makes the most of its geography (surrounded by sea) and the available technology with maximum impact for the dollar.
Ignore this advice and our children and grandchildren will be at risk.
Please read this book and send it to your member of parliament. Politicians must know Australians care about the defence of their country.
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Timothy J Hurst
5.0 out of 5 stars Very thought provoking.
Reviewed in the United States on 19 October 2019
Verified Purchase
It starts with the basics of defence theory, ie what exactly are we defending ourselves against, and extends the argument in logical steps from there. I found the book very illuminating, and it completely changed my way of looking at things, starting as I was from a rather imperfectly reasoned sort of pacifism. Recommended.
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gazzadelsud
5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely good scholarship, recommended
Reviewed in the United States on 25 November 2020
Verified Purchase
Not much to add. I think the author has a fairly clear eyed view of the challenges facing Australia, and also on some of the dumber defence acquisition choices that Australia is making. In an uncertain and scary world, it is good to see that Australia is thinking through its options and challenges with rigour.
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