Mike Hughes

Director Defence Strategy

[ASPI @ASPI_org]

We're pleased to welcome David Dutton as a Senior Resident Fellow with ASPI, where he will contribute to our work on regional geopolitics.

David joins ASPI from the @LowyInstitute & @dfat, where he worked on trade, security & Southeast Asia.

🔗 Read more: https://t.co/N0YYpN90o4

[ASPI @ASPI_org]

SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENT 📢

We're delighted to announce Admiral David Johnston, @CDF_Aust, will speak at the 2026 ASPI Defence Conference.

This year's event will focus on translating strategy into action & turning partnerships into practical advantage.

🔗: https://t.co/WUiPxMznkR

[ASPI @ASPI_org]

NEW SPEAKER 📢

We're delighted to announce Kazuhiro Suzuki, Ambassador of 🇯🇵 to 🇦🇺, will join the speaker lineup for the 2026 ASPI Defence Conference, where he will discuss the role of middle powers in securing a free and open Indo-Pacific.

✍️ Register: https://t.co/WUiPxMznkR

[ASPI @ASPI_org]

NEW PODCAST 🎤

In this episode of Stop the World, Britain’s Minister for AI and Online Safety @KanishkaNarayan joins @davidwroe to discuss democratic values in AI, the role of middle powers in the global AI race and how AI will transform society.

🎧: https://t.co/OR3iuq6QhD

[ASPI @ASPI_org]

'This first signature project under AUKUS Pillar Two will make us more secure under the sea, keep us resilient on land and future proof the partnership for when our nations need it most,' write @Dr_M_Davis and @BassiJustin. https://t.co/QBwxgKG6Fy

[ASPI @ASPI_org]

AUKUS Pillar Two lunges for an operational capability – underwater | @Dr_M_Davis and @BassiJustin | https://t.co/aVAa9fcZup

[ASPI @ASPI_org]

"Democracies are being tested by 🇷🇺 and 🇨🇳 with hybrid threats, including cable cutting... This signals that these acts of sabotage and aggression will no longer be tolerated," @BassiJustin tells @abcnews on the 🇦🇺-🇺🇸-🇬🇧 plan to develop underwater drones.
https://t.co/MlCZdEvytE

[ASPI @ASPI_org]

Sorry, Mr Carney. At Shangri-la, Indo-Pacific countries backed the rules-based order | @BassiJustin | https://t.co/F5KwBTmbyz

[ASPI @ASPI_org]

On changes to AUKUS that will see 🇦🇺 acquire three used Virginia-class subs from 🇺🇸, @MikeHughesASPI tells @FinancialReview: “Virginia-class submarines are incredible capabilities, so I don’t think it would be diminished [if they are] already in-service.”
https://t.co/zfCvwrTNxV

[Mike Hughes @MikeHughesASPI]

Great to have you with us Nick!

[Nick Crouch @NickCrouchUK]

@ASPI_org @MikeHughesASPI @Stewart_ASPI Excited to be joining @ASPI_org at such an interesting and important time for the region and for geopolitics more generally. I look forward to working with such a top team.

[ASPI @ASPI_org]

'The government has committed to one of the most significant decades-long force restructurings in the country’s peacetime history. The work of the decade ahead is to convert that commitment into delivered capability,' writes @BassiJustin. https://t.co/GIIXQtryuI

[ASPI @ASPI_org]

SESSION SPOTLIGHT 🔦

Don't miss @CAF_Australia, @CN_Australia, @CJOPSAustralia and @ChiefAusArmy in conversation with @Stewart_ASPI at the 2026 ASPI Defence Conference on 25 June in Canberra.

🎫 Limited tickets remain. Secure your spot now: https://t.co/WUiPxMznkR

[ASPI @ASPI_org]

NEW PODCAST 🎙️

In this Stop the World episode, @MikeHughesASPI joins @davidwroe to unpack the findings of ASPI's Cost of Defence report, including 🇦🇺’s defence spending trajectory, workforce challenges & declining acquisition & sustainment spending.

🎧: https://t.co/M0cwaueB2T

[ASPI @ASPI_org]

We're pleased to welcome @NickCrouchUK as a Senior Fellow at ASPI.

Nick joins ASPI following his posting to Canberra as the UK's Deputy High Commissioner from 2021–2025, where he covered AUKUS, regional security, trade, critical minerals and more.

🔗: https://t.co/gul2f1uUzl

[ASPI @ASPI_org]

Following the release of ASPI’s Cost of Defence analysis, @MikeHughesASPI joined @andy_park on @abcnews to discuss ADF workforce challenges, reductions in preparedness funding and the need to sustain today’s force while building future capability.

🎧👇
https://t.co/w8OJf388w5

[Mike Hughes @MikeHughesASPI]

A great insight into the nature of the Sino-centric order that the CCP seeks to establish.

[Stephen Dziedzic @stephendziedzic]

quite the anecdote

[ASPI @ASPI_org]

The latest edition of ASPI’s Fault Lines digest is out now!

This edition covers 🇰🇷’s new northern policy, the strengthening position of 🇲🇲’s junta, 🇳🇷’s continued pivot to 🇨🇳, and much more.

📩 Subscribe: https://t.co/bEBqQ2NjH3
📚 Read the digest: https://t.co/gW0PWnenlN

[ASPI @ASPI_org]

This @australian article features ASPI's new Cost of Defence analysis, which warns the ADF's current capabilities are being sacrificed to pay for future capability.

“The bottom line is that we’re still waiting for the reality to match the rhetoric.”

📰: https://t.co/7F27pWPVOq

[david wroe @davidwroe]

I spoke this week with @Kieran_Gilbert about @ASPI_org's Cost of Defence report, latest on Iran & Pope Leo's AI encyclical.

Hard not to feel overshadowed by the buffalo that looks like Donald Trump. @SkyNewsAust @MikeHughesASPI

[ASPI @ASPI_org]

ASPI’s @MikeHughesASPI joined @SkyNewsAust to discuss the findings of The Cost of Defence 2026–27, including that defence spending will fall next financial year, concerns about new investment remaining backloaded into the 2030s & workforce becoming Defence’s key constraint.

📺⤵️