Kim Heriot-Darragh
@kimheriotdarragh.bsky.social
Researcher, Australia India Institute. Non-Resident Fellow at Council for Strategic and Defense Research. Interested in defence, strategy and international law. https://substack.com/@kimheriotdarragh
This is an important point. Rule of law rhetoric matters, but has diminishing returns if it’s the only thing we centre our approach on.
'Just as the Philippines needs to think beyond its transparency campaign, Australia should be careful not to wrap its strategic narrative too tightly around international law. Coercive and destabilising behaviour can still be consistent with international law,' writes Euan Graham.
Reflections from the Manila Dialogue | The Strategist
Last week’s Manila Dialogue demonstrated that the Philippines is far from cowed or isolated in the face of China’s continued bullying in the South China Sea. But it also highlighted the limitations of...
www.aspistrategist.org.au
November 14, 2025 at 6:00 AM
This is an important point. Rule of law rhetoric matters, but has diminishing returns if it’s the only thing we centre our approach on.
Reposted by Kim Heriot-Darragh
A roundup of some of my initial reflections in the media on the new Australia-Indonesia Bilateral Security Treaty.
In short: a really positive development, and frankly, an exciting one. Lots of water to go under the bridge, ofc, but a big step forward in the relationship.
🧵
In short: a really positive development, and frankly, an exciting one. Lots of water to go under the bridge, ofc, but a big step forward in the relationship.
🧵
November 13, 2025 at 11:45 PM
A roundup of some of my initial reflections in the media on the new Australia-Indonesia Bilateral Security Treaty.
In short: a really positive development, and frankly, an exciting one. Lots of water to go under the bridge, ofc, but a big step forward in the relationship.
🧵
In short: a really positive development, and frankly, an exciting one. Lots of water to go under the bridge, ofc, but a big step forward in the relationship.
🧵
Reposted by Kim Heriot-Darragh
"Sources at Parliament, who wouldn’t speak on the record for fear of retribution, said the letter ...revealed how China’s government monitors New Zealanders ...they believe China is sending people to spy on events organised by Kiwi supporters of Taiwan."
China scolds Kiwi MPs in a brazen letter that few want to talk about
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
China scolds Kiwi MPs in a brazen letter that few want to discuss
Sources at Parliament believe China is spying on events related to Taiwan in New Zealand.
www.stuff.co.nz
November 3, 2025 at 5:50 AM
"Sources at Parliament, who wouldn’t speak on the record for fear of retribution, said the letter ...revealed how China’s government monitors New Zealanders ...they believe China is sending people to spy on events organised by Kiwi supporters of Taiwan."
Reposted by Kim Heriot-Darragh
Depressing to see that Indian communities in Australia are now being targeted with these phone scams, which have long been a problem for Chinese communities, including international students. This message has been posted on the Indian High Commission's website.
October 31, 2025 at 1:45 AM
Depressing to see that Indian communities in Australia are now being targeted with these phone scams, which have long been a problem for Chinese communities, including international students. This message has been posted on the Indian High Commission's website.
Reposted by Kim Heriot-Darragh
Damn bro
October 27, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Damn bro
Reposted by Kim Heriot-Darragh
It's such a treat to be an outsider interested in the Philippines — the deeper and deeper you get to know the country the more fascinating it becomes. I hope this conversation helps other Australians get their bearings, especially with a big few years on the horizon.
NEW PODCAST: “The 9pm Bongbong in the Region with Erin Cook” @erincook.bsky.social, so it’s about the Philippines and stuff (1h02m06s) the9pmedict.com/edict/000254/
Look for “The 9pm Edict” in your podcast app.
Like it? Tell your friends and maybe even throw in a tip at the9pmedict.com/tip.
Look for “The 9pm Edict” in your podcast app.
Like it? Tell your friends and maybe even throw in a tip at the9pmedict.com/tip.
October 23, 2025 at 9:22 AM
It's such a treat to be an outsider interested in the Philippines — the deeper and deeper you get to know the country the more fascinating it becomes. I hope this conversation helps other Australians get their bearings, especially with a big few years on the horizon.
This month’s Australia India Institute defence conclave was a chance to explore ideas speculatively - not to predict the future, but to scan what shifts might shape 🇦🇺🇮🇳 defence cooperation over the next five years.
Some interesting themes emerged 👇
Some interesting themes emerged 👇
October 19, 2025 at 11:37 PM
This month’s Australia India Institute defence conclave was a chance to explore ideas speculatively - not to predict the future, but to scan what shifts might shape 🇦🇺🇮🇳 defence cooperation over the next five years.
Some interesting themes emerged 👇
Some interesting themes emerged 👇
Some initial thoughts following the Indian defence minister’s visit to Australia: open.substack.com/pub/kimherio...
Quiet confidence: Indian Defence Minister's visit to Australia shows ties are maturing
India’s Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh visited Australia in October - the first such visit since 2013 - and it unsurprisingly drew attention.
open.substack.com
October 15, 2025 at 3:46 AM
Some initial thoughts following the Indian defence minister’s visit to Australia: open.substack.com/pub/kimherio...
Reposted by Kim Heriot-Darragh
The South Korean Ministry of Defense has awarded medals of merit to 11 officers for disobeying direct orders of superiors during the martial law fiasco, orders that they deemed to be contrary to the constitution and endangerment to democracy.
www.chosun.com/english/nati...
www.chosun.com/english/nati...
National Defense Ministry Honors 11 Soldiers for Refusing Illegal Orders
National Defense Ministry Honors 11 Soldiers for Refusing Illegal Orders Honored for rejecting illegal orders during martial law, Marine death probe
www.chosun.com
September 27, 2025 at 6:44 PM
The South Korean Ministry of Defense has awarded medals of merit to 11 officers for disobeying direct orders of superiors during the martial law fiasco, orders that they deemed to be contrary to the constitution and endangerment to democracy.
www.chosun.com/english/nati...
www.chosun.com/english/nati...
An important read. It seems like we’re forever warning that Indo-Pacific security is becoming more fraught - but when it comes to equipping Australians to navigate that complexity (by fostering language training among other things), we continually fall short.
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
Complacent nation: Australia and the Asian Century
Decades of ambition have left us with a nation still unable to speak the language of our neighbours.
www.lowyinstitute.org
September 24, 2025 at 7:18 AM
An important read. It seems like we’re forever warning that Indo-Pacific security is becoming more fraught - but when it comes to equipping Australians to navigate that complexity (by fostering language training among other things), we continually fall short.
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
Reposted by Kim Heriot-Darragh
Opinion | I’ve dedicated my career to promoting free speech on college campuses. Here’s why the murder of a red state college dropout by another red state college dropout means it’s time to fire liberal professors in blue states.
September 15, 2025 at 2:53 AM
Opinion | I’ve dedicated my career to promoting free speech on college campuses. Here’s why the murder of a red state college dropout by another red state college dropout means it’s time to fire liberal professors in blue states.
Reposted by Kim Heriot-Darragh
As an Australian-Indian, I’m furious at the racism playing out on a national stage. It is exhausting | Zoya Patel
As an Australian-Indian, I’m furious at the racism playing out on a national stage. It is exhausting | Zoya Patel
It feels like no matter how long we’ve been here, we’re just not enough
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Being an Indian immigrant in Australia is exhausting. The irony that many of us are here because our parents, or their parents, chose this country in their quest for a “better life”, after our own country was decimated by British colonialism, is not lost on me.
My own ancestors were shipped from India by the British to Fiji to work as indentured labourers – ostensibly slaves – on Australian-operated sugar farms in the late 1800s. Multiple generations later, after enduring political and social exclusion in Fiji and being subject to racist rhetoric and political violence, my parents worked insanely hard to find a pathway to Australia, so that their children could escape the cycles of poverty and entrenched disadvantage that they lived through. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
September 10, 2025 at 12:06 AM
As an Australian-Indian, I’m furious at the racism playing out on a national stage. It is exhausting | Zoya Patel
Reposted by Kim Heriot-Darragh
Historical pictures don't speak for themselves.
A few years ago, I unpacked a lithograph relating to Tasmania's "Black War" of the 1820s and 1830s. The Australian War Memorial now has it up on the website of the new mag, "WM":
wm.awm.gov.au/read/painted...
A few years ago, I unpacked a lithograph relating to Tasmania's "Black War" of the 1820s and 1830s. The Australian War Memorial now has it up on the website of the new mag, "WM":
wm.awm.gov.au/read/painted...
A Painted Proclamation | WM
WM | Inspiring stories - Expert insights
wm.awm.gov.au
August 25, 2025 at 2:50 AM
Historical pictures don't speak for themselves.
A few years ago, I unpacked a lithograph relating to Tasmania's "Black War" of the 1820s and 1830s. The Australian War Memorial now has it up on the website of the new mag, "WM":
wm.awm.gov.au/read/painted...
A few years ago, I unpacked a lithograph relating to Tasmania's "Black War" of the 1820s and 1830s. The Australian War Memorial now has it up on the website of the new mag, "WM":
wm.awm.gov.au/read/painted...
Just finished Dive! by @mikecarlton01.bsky.social - about Australian submariners and their contributions. It’s worth a read. And timely given the renewed interest in the RAN. For a long time our image of ‘defence’ was a soldier carrying a rifle. Perhaps that’s changing.
August 12, 2025 at 5:03 AM
Just finished Dive! by @mikecarlton01.bsky.social - about Australian submariners and their contributions. It’s worth a read. And timely given the renewed interest in the RAN. For a long time our image of ‘defence’ was a soldier carrying a rifle. Perhaps that’s changing.
Reposted by Kim Heriot-Darragh
“The extensive hunt for the alleged mole [in MI6], called Operation Wedlock, was run by…MI5, which deployed a team of up to 35 surveillance, planning and desk officers [and] lasted in one form or another for up to 20 years” www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
UK launched huge operation to find suspected Russian double agent in MI6
Exclusive: Operation Wedlock lasted up to 20 years and took MI5 teams across world amid panic about ‘another Philby’
www.theguardian.com
June 28, 2025 at 5:54 AM
“The extensive hunt for the alleged mole [in MI6], called Operation Wedlock, was run by…MI5, which deployed a team of up to 35 surveillance, planning and desk officers [and] lasted in one form or another for up to 20 years” www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Happening tomorrow!
What lessons should Australia learn from India’s recent military clash with Pakistan? I think there are a few. If you’re in Hobart on 26 June, hope you can join!
aiiatas.glueup.com/event/26-jun...
aiiatas.glueup.com/event/26-jun...
26 June 2025: India and Pakistan in Crisis | Australian Institute of International Affairs Tasmania
India and Pakistan in crisis: lessons for Canberra’s evolving defence relationship with New DelhiThe India-Pakistan crisis reminds Australia that it ignores security issues in the subcontinent at its ...
aiiatas.glueup.com
June 25, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Happening tomorrow!
What lessons should Australia learn from India’s recent military clash with Pakistan? I think there are a few. If you’re in Hobart on 26 June, hope you can join!
aiiatas.glueup.com/event/26-jun...
aiiatas.glueup.com/event/26-jun...
26 June 2025: India and Pakistan in Crisis | Australian Institute of International Affairs Tasmania
India and Pakistan in crisis: lessons for Canberra’s evolving defence relationship with New DelhiThe India-Pakistan crisis reminds Australia that it ignores security issues in the subcontinent at its ...
aiiatas.glueup.com
June 19, 2025 at 11:10 PM
What lessons should Australia learn from India’s recent military clash with Pakistan? I think there are a few. If you’re in Hobart on 26 June, hope you can join!
aiiatas.glueup.com/event/26-jun...
aiiatas.glueup.com/event/26-jun...
Reposted by Kim Heriot-Darragh
'Unlike homogeneous airpower, the source code of heterogeneous airpower is mostly open, allowing new military and civilian developments to rapidly plug and play within it,' writes Peter Layton.
Heterogeneous air power is here | The Strategist
Current conflicts have overturned how air power is applied. Air forces should no longer be built solely around crewed aircraft. A different balance is required. The use of drones in very large numbers...
www.aspistrategist.org.au
June 19, 2025 at 6:25 AM
'Unlike homogeneous airpower, the source code of heterogeneous airpower is mostly open, allowing new military and civilian developments to rapidly plug and play within it,' writes Peter Layton.
Reposted by Kim Heriot-Darragh
So far, deportations haven't dramatically spiked under Trump, writes @alibreland.bsky.social. But the administration’s immigration tactics are so shocking, callous, and inescapable that they have generated the appearance of mass deportations.
Trump Has Turned Deportations Into a Spectacle
The White House’s callous tactics are warping perceptions of reality.
bit.ly
June 18, 2025 at 2:00 AM
So far, deportations haven't dramatically spiked under Trump, writes @alibreland.bsky.social. But the administration’s immigration tactics are so shocking, callous, and inescapable that they have generated the appearance of mass deportations.
Reposted by Kim Heriot-Darragh
I’ve found the parade criticism™ fascinating and maybe even a little disappointing, and this comes from someone who would have preferred the Army not to be put in this position in the first place. 1/
June 15, 2025 at 1:15 PM
I’ve found the parade criticism™ fascinating and maybe even a little disappointing, and this comes from someone who would have preferred the Army not to be put in this position in the first place. 1/
The US Army parade was embarrassing for a lot of reasons. But I didn’t expect the volume of armchair warriors who would
point at footage of Army Rangers doing lame drill and tell the world with all the confidence of a toddler that these soldiers don’t have unit cohesion or military credibility.
point at footage of Army Rangers doing lame drill and tell the world with all the confidence of a toddler that these soldiers don’t have unit cohesion or military credibility.
June 15, 2025 at 8:38 AM
The US Army parade was embarrassing for a lot of reasons. But I didn’t expect the volume of armchair warriors who would
point at footage of Army Rangers doing lame drill and tell the world with all the confidence of a toddler that these soldiers don’t have unit cohesion or military credibility.
point at footage of Army Rangers doing lame drill and tell the world with all the confidence of a toddler that these soldiers don’t have unit cohesion or military credibility.
Reposted by Kim Heriot-Darragh
If you’re in Melbourne on 17 June, hope you can join us for this!
May 26, 2025 at 5:16 AM
If you’re in Melbourne on 17 June, hope you can join us for this!