Dr John Blaxland
PhD (War Studies), MA (History), BA (Hons 1), psc (RT)
Senior Fellow, Strategic and Defence Studies Centre
ANU College of Asia and the Pacific
T:
@JohnBlaxland1
Research interests
Australian flag
Intelligence and Security
Australian Military History and Strategy
Defence Studies
International Relations, notably on South-east Asia (Thailand and Burma/Myanmar) and North America, (Canada and the United States)
Biography
Dr John Blaxland is a Senior Fellow at the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at ANU who writes about military history, intelligence and security and Asia-Pacific affairs. He holds a PhD in War Studies from the Royal Military College of Canada, an MA in History from ANU, a BA (Hons) from UNSW and is a graduate of the Royal Thai Army Command and Staff College. He is a former Chief Staff Officer for Joint Intelligence Operations (J2), at Headquarters Joint Operations Command and was Australia’s Defence Attaché to Thailand and Burma from 2008-2010. His latest book is entitled The Australian Army From Whitlam to Howard (CUP, 2014). His other publications include Strategic Cousins (2006), Revisiting Counterinsurency (2006), Information era Manoeuvre (2002), Signals (1999) and Organising an Army (1989). He is also convenor with Dr Rhys Crawley of a course in semester 2 entitled STST3003 'The Australian Intelligence Community: Its Evolution and Roles'.
Publications
- Blaxland, J 2014, 'Canada could be the key to Australia’s defence plan', The Canberra Times, 24 February
- Blaxland, J 2014, 'Flying a fresh flag', ANU College of Asia and the Pacific, 3 February
- Blaxland, J 2014, 'Flying the flag for a fresh start', The Canberra Times, 1 February
- Blaxland, J 2014, 'Missing MH370', ChannelNewsAsia 17 March
- Blaxland, J 2014, 'No easy way out of Thailand's quandary', Asian Currents, February
- Blaxland, J 2014, 'Silver lining to grim search for MH 370', The Canberra Times, 25 March
- Blaxland, J 2014, 'Thailand’s "Days of Strife"', ANU College of Asia and the Pacific, 4 February
- Blaxland, J 2014, The Australian Army from Whitlam to Howard (Cambridge University Press)
- Blaxland, J, 2014, 'Flight 370 Search Dangerous, High Stakes: Blaxland', Bloomberg News, 24 March
- Forrester, T, 2014, ‘Racing to the Possible Debris Site’, CBC News, 20 March
- MacDonald, J and & Xu Haijing, 2014, 'Interview: Search for missing Malaysian flight MH370 enters race against time: Australian expert', Xinhua News, 22 March
- MacDonald, J and Xu Haijing 2014, 'Interview: Air force liaison leading edge of international cooperation: Australian expert', Xinhua , Newsle, 24 March
- Parton, M 2014, 'Flag revamp offered by ANU Professor', 2CC Radio, 5 February
- Parton, M 2014, 'Unrest: Mark Parton speaks with Dr John Blaxland from ANU about the current unrest in Thailand', 2CC Radio, 15 January
- Parton, M, 2014, 'Unrest: Mark Parton speaks with Dr John Blaxland from ANU about the current unrest in Thailand', 2CC Radio, 15 January, http://www.2cc.net.au/podcasts/58-mark-parton-podcasts/5968-unrest.html
- Skelton,T 2014, 'Southeast Asia in 2014', ABC Radio National, 2 January
- With Edwards, L, Jennings, P and Manicom, J, 2014, Facing West, Facing North: Canada and Australia in East Asia, ASPI and CIGI Special Report
- Woo, P 2014, 'Can Australia Find the Missing Plane?', CNN, 19 March
- Blaxland, J 2013, Double value as centenary honours Blaxland and co.
- Blaxland, J 2013, 'No going back in Myanmar'.
- Blaxland, J 2013, 'US isn't the pushy one in Asia'.
- Blaxland, J 2013, 'Closer Australia-Canada Defence Cooperation?', Australian Strategic Policy Institute: Special Report, vol. 3.
- Blaxland, J 2013, 'Game-changer in the Pacific: Surprising Options Open Up with the New Multi-purpose Maritime Capability', Security Challenges, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 31-41.
- Blaxland, J 2013, All aboard: ADF and regional defence diplomacy, pp. 18-21.
- Blaxland, J 2013, Time for an inclusive more meaningful flag, p. 1.
- ASPI editors, 2013, 'Considering Australia-Canada security co-operation in the Asia-Pacific (Parts 2 & 3)', ASPI Strategist, 27 September
- Beattie, V, 2013, 'Discussions with John Blaxland on Japan’s defence spending surge', VOA News 4 September
- Beattie, V, 2013, 'Shangri La Dialogue', VOA News 5 June
- Beattie, V., 2013 'Proposed US increased posture in the Philippines and great power responses' VOA News, 14 August
- Beattie, V., 2013 'Xi-Jing-Ping and the proposal for joint development of contested maritime areas', VOA News, 1 August
- Blake, M, 2013, 'Will this be Australia's new flag?' Daily Mail (UK)
- Blaxland, J & Kersten, R 2013, East Asia tension echoes Europe's descent into world war, East Asia Forum, 13 February.
- Blaxland, J & Kersten, R 2013, 'Escalating territorial tension in East Asia echoes Europe's descent into world war', East Asia Forum, vol. 1, no. 13th February 2013, pp. 1-3.
- Blaxland, J 2013, 'Gaining respect in Asia first requires Australians to understand who they are', The Canberra Times, 30 December
- Blaxland, J 2013, 'Indonesia: a sweet solution to beef, boats and spies woes', The Canberra Times, 19 December
- Blaxland, J 2013, 'Keeping Australia’s spying in perspective', IN Daily, 21 November
- Blaxland, J 2013, 'Mentioning the war: why Afghanistan and Australia's other conflicts must be discussed', The Conversation, 6 December
- Blaxland, J, 2013 'It is time for a new flag?'
- Blaxland, J, 2013, "Shootin' the breeze about a flag", Manning Clark Theatre, ANU, 5 June
- Blaxland, J, 2013, All aboard: ADF and regional defence diplomacy’, in A New Flank: fresh perspectives for the next Defence White Paper, Centre of Gravity Series,
- Blaxland, J, 2013, 'An ethical life Dr John Blaxland ANU on ethics in the ADF’, Community Audio
- Blaxland, J, 2013, 'Australian special forces troops under investigation for cutting off hands of dead Afghan insurgent', ABC News 24, 30 August
- Blaxland, J, 2013, 'Australia's national security strategy - where's the money?', ABC News 24, 23 January
- Blaxland, J, 2013, 'Cambodia’s ‘postponed’ exercises and the US ‘pivot’’, pivot' The Strategist, Australian Strategic Policy Institute, 22 August
- Blaxland, J, 2013, 'Closer Australia-Canada Defence Co-operation?' Australia-Canada Security Co-operation in the Asia-Pacific, CIGI-ASPI Paper, No. 3, September,
- Blaxland, J, 2013, 'Double value as centenary honours Blaxland & co', The Canberra Times
- Blaxland, J, 2013, 'Gaining respect in Asia first requires Australians to understand who they are', The Canberra Times, 30 December
- Blaxland, J, 2013, 'Game Changer in the Pacific: Australia’s expanded amphibious capability' USI of ACT presentation, Wednesday 19 June
- Blaxland, J, 2013, 'Game-changer in the Pacific: Surprising Options Open Up with the New Multi-purpose Maritime capability', Security Challenges, Vol. 9, No. 3, pp. 31-4.
- Blaxland, J, 2013, 'Indonesia: a sweet solution to beef, boats and spies woes', The Canberra Times, 19 December, http://www.canberratimes.com.au/comment/indonesia-a-sweet-solution-to-beef-boats-and-spies-woes-20131218-2zlj9.html
- Blaxland, J, 2013, 'MANIS: time to sweeten regional security cooperation', East Asia Forum, 12 November
- Blaxland, J, 2013, 'Myanmar ceasefire negotiations', Al Jazeera English News 3 November
- Blaxland, J, 2013, 'Myanmar political prisoners freed on eve of Thein Sein visit to US’, with Liam Cochrane, Connect Asia, Radio Australia, 20 May
- Blaxland, J, 2013, Myanmar's release of political prisoners', AJE News, 31 December, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDPAkP2Ui3g&feature=youtu.be
- Blaxland, J, 2013, 'New design proposed to replace national flag', ABC News 25 January
- Blaxland, J, 2013, 'No going back in Myanmar' East Asia Forum, 25 August
- Blaxland, J, 2013, 'No going back in Myanmar', Financial Review, 26 August,
- Blaxland, J, 2013, 'Pinning colours to the mast' with Alex Sloan on ABC Radio 666, 20 May
- Blaxland, J, 2013, 'Protecting secrets: inside Australia's mysterious spy agency', The Conversation, 20 November
- Blaxland, J, 2013, 'Reflections on Thailand, Myanmar and the US pivot', The Strategist
- Blaxland, J, 2013, 'Spying: the secret of success is in keeping your success secret', The Guardian, 21 November
- Blaxland, J, 2013, 'The Australian Army from Whitlam to Howard', interview ABC News 24, 16 November
- Blaxland, J, 2013, 'Time for an inclusive more meaningful flag', Canberra Times
- Blaxland, J, 2013, 'US isn’t the pushy one in Asia', The Strategist, Australian Strategic Policy Institute, 5 September 2013
- Blaxland, J, and Kersten R, 2013, 'History repeating'
- Blaxland, J, and Kersten, R, 2013, 'East Asia tension echoes Europe's descent into world war',
- Blaxland, J, and Kersten, R, 2013, 'Escalating territorial tension in East Asia echoes Europe's descent into world war', East Asia Forum
- Brissenden, M., 2013, 'Was it worth being involved in Afghanistan?' ABC 7.30 Report, 29 October
- Cheney, C, 2013, 'Myanmar-Rebel Confict is Not Black and White'
- Cranston, B., 2013 'Out of the Shadows', ANU CAP news and events
- Cranston, B., 2013, 'Defence ties defensible', ANU CAP News, 17 October
- Cranston, B., 2013, 'Myanmar coups', ANU CAP news and events,16 August
- Cranston,B., 2013, 'Wanted: softly spoken defence attache for Myanmar', ANU CAP News and events, 19 March 2013
- Crawley, R & Blaxland, J 2013, 'Intelligence oversight and accountability: who watches the watchers?'.The Conversation, 11 December 2013
- Curtis, K, 2013, 'Mature Australia Needs New Flag: Academic'
- Daley, P, 2013, 'Lets run debate up the flagpole', Canberra Times
- Daley, P., 2013, 'Australia's flag represents neither the nation's past nor its present', The Guardian, 21 November
- Devare, A, 2013, 'Historical ambiguity swirls in the 21st century isles disputes'
- Drysdale, P., 2013, 'Myanmar's commitment to coming out', East Asia Forum, 26 August
- Elliot, T, 2013, 'Afghan mission a failure?'
- Ewart, R., 2013, 'Thai PM takes key defence post in cabinet reshuffle', Connect Asia, Radio Australia, 2 July
- Grant, S, 2013, 9 April, 'On the recent increase in violence in Afghanistan', Newsnight, SkyNewsAustralia,
- John, O, 2013, 'Could Australia get a new flag?' Time magazine
- Lam, S., 2013, 'US moves to cement Asia Pacific defence ties' ABC Radio Australia, 26 August
- Lester, K, 2013, 'Would you fly this flag?'
- McCarthy, J., 2013, 'Suu Kyi silent on Rohingya persecution', Newsline, Australia Network News, 4 April
- Park, A, 2013, 'Is Australia next for Chinese cyber attacks?', SBS World News
- Sabapathy, K, 2013, 'Anti Muslim violence spreads to another region in Myanmar', Radio Australia
- Sabapathy, K., 2013 'India steps up military ties with Myanmar', Asia Pacific, Radio Australia, 1 August
- Thompson, B., 2013, QUT News, 4EB FM, 30 October.
- Blaxland, J 2012, Australian alliance with Japan? Not any time soon, p. 1.
- Blaxland, J 2012, Oil and gas will decide the day for Thailand's insurgents.
- Blaxland, J 2012, To understand Burma we must talk to its military, p. 1.
- Blaxland, J 2012, Our place in the Asian Century, p. 1.
- Blaxland, J 2012, Strategic security requires healthy insurance policy, p. 1.
- Blaxland, J 2012, In war and peace an amphibious capability is apt.
- Horner, D, Blaxland, J, Bou, J et al, eds, 2012, Australian Dictionary of Biography Volume 18: 1981-1990, Melbourne University Publishing Limited, Melbourne Australia.
- Blaxland, J 2012, We should put out the welcome mat for Thailand's PM.
- Blaxland, J 2012, Bright ray of Hope in Burma.
- Blaxland, J 2012, Asia-Pacific Security Developments: Lesson for Canada from Australia?, pp. 16-17.
- Blaxland, J 2012, Amphibious capability has benefits for our region.
- Blaxland, J 2012, Confrontation in South China sea requires fine diplomacy.
- Blaxland, J 2012, Misconception and myth mask Thai military.
- Blaxland, J, 2012, 'In war and peace an amphibious capability is apt'
- Anon, 2012, 'Vietnam Adds Sea patrols Amid Tensions with China',
- Blalxand, J, 2012, 'Strategic Security Requires Healthy insurance Policy'
- Blaxland, J 2012, Asia Pacific Security - an overview of Australian perspectives.
- Blaxland, J 2012, Shining a light on Afghan withdrawal, p. 1.
- Blaxland, J, 2012, 'Australian alliance with Japan? Not anytime soon'
- Blaxland, J, 2012, Australia-Thailand ties written in stone,
- Blaxland, J, 2012, 'Burma's military to retain firm grip on power'
- Blaxland, J, 2012, 'Canada, the Asian century and the Indo-Pacific'
- Blaxland, J, 2012, China Choice: Thai parallels for Australia
- Blaxland, J, 2012, 'China Choice: the missing question'
- Blaxland, J, 2012, 'Chinese passports and the South China Sea'
- Blaxland, J, 2012, 'Defence policy: tailored for uncertainty'
- Blaxland, J, 2012, 'East Asia Summit Ripe for Rivalry'
- Blaxland, J, 2012, 'East Asia Summit Ripe for Rivalry', 19 November
- Blaxland, J, 2012, 'East Timor - Time for cautious Optimism'
- Blaxland, J, 2012, 'East Timor : A Matter of Perspective'
- Blaxland, J, 2012, 'East Timor: time for cautious optimism'
- Blaxland, J, 2012, Oil and gas will decide the day for Thailand's insurgents
- Blaxland, J, 2012, 'Our place in the Asian Century'
- Blaxland, J, 2012, 'Shining a light on Afghan withdrawal'
- Blaxland, J, 2012, 'The Australian mindset in Asia'
- Blaxland, J, 2012, 'To shun or to embrace: Australia-US relations and China's rise (Part I)
- Blaxland, J, 2012, 'To shun or to embrace: Australia-US relations and China's rise (Part II)'
- Blaxland, J, 2012, 'To understand Burma we must talk to the military'
- Blaxland, J., 2012, 'Attacks won't stop, but neither should our resolve'
- Blaxland, J., 2012, 'Australians in East Timor in World War 2'
- Blaxland, J., 2012, 'Military Expert Examines Afghan Killings'
- Cheney, C, 2012, Obama's Myanmar Visit Culmination of 'Regime Reform' Policy
- Curtis, L, 2012, Capital Hill, Friday 9 November
- Giggacher, J, 2012, 'Stuck in the Mud'
- Tom Nightingale, 2012, 'Secretive intelligence agency speaks up'
- Harper, S., 2007, 'Prime Minister Harper addresses Australian parliament in Canberra, Australia', 11 September
- Blaxland, J, 2012, 'Listening to the enemy' in Wartime Magazine, Issue 57, January 2012
- Blaxland, J 2011, 'Refocusing the Australian Army', Security Challenges, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 47-54.
- Blaxland, J 2011, Australia should collaborate closely with ASEAN, The Canberra Times, Monday November 14, p. 13.
- Blaxland, J 2011, 'Myanmar: Time for Australian Defence Cooperation', Security Challenges, vol. 7, no. 4.
- Blaxland, J., 2008, 'Consolidation and Reorganisation, Australia, 1950-1965' and 'Near and Far Operations, 1999-2006' in David Horner and Jean Bou (eds), Duty First: A history of the Royal Australian Regiment (Allen & Unwin, Sydney, 2008).
- Blaxland, J., 2008, 'Developing Canadian and Australian Security Cooperation' in Canadians and Asia-Pacific Security, (The Conference of Defence Associations Institute, Vimy Paper, 2008)
- Blaxland, J., 2008, 'Military Communications' in Peter Dennis, Jeffrey Grey, Ewan Morris, Robin Pryor, with Jean Bou (eds), The Oxford Companion to Australian Military History (second edition, Oxford University Press, Melbourne, 2008).
- Blaxland, J., 2007, 'Harnessing The Spectrum: Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) for the Hardened and Networked Army' (Australian Army Journal, Winter 2007).
- Blaxland, J, 2006, Revisiting Counterinsurgency
- Blaxland, J, 2006, Strategic Cousins
- Blaxland, J., 2005, 'The Role of Signals Intelligence in Australian Military Operations, 1939-72' (Australian Army Journal, Vol. II, No. 2)
- Blaxland, J., 2004, 'Strategic Cousins' Reconverging Trajectories: Canada's and Australia's Expeditionary Forces Since the End of the Cold War', in Battles Near and Far: A century of overseas deployment, (Chief of Army Military History Conference 2004, Army History Unit, Canberra)
- Blaxland, J, 2003, 'The Korean War: Reflections on Shared Canadian and Australian Military Experiences' (Canadian Military Journal [CMJ], Winter, 2003)
- Blaxland, J, 2002, 'On Operations in East Timor' (Australian Army Journal, Canberra, 2002
- Blaxland, J, 2002, 'The Australian Led Mission to East Timor' (Militaire Spectator, jaargang 171 / 9 2002).
- Blaxland, J, 2002, Information Era Manoeuvre
- Blaxland, J, 2002, 'Operations in East Timor' (Military Intelligence, PB 34-01-02, Vol. 27 No. 2, Oct-Dec 2001)
- Blaxland, J 1997, Signals Swift and Sure.
- Blaxland, J,1989, Organising an Army
