In his latest article for The Australian, Security & Defence PLuS Executive Director, Dr Ian Langford, addresses the mounting challenges facing global security, notably the rise of the so-called “dark Quad” of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. This bloc, he warns, threatens the “rules-based global order” that has historically ensured Australia’s security.
Central to this shift is China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA), whose rapid military expansion and assertive manoeuvres are reshaping the Indo-Pacific region. Langford notes, “The hubris of PLA actions serves as an ‘indicator and warning’ that without a dramatic and necessary uplift in US-led, Australian-backed military deterrence, the PLA increasingly seems able to assert itself as the dominant military power throughout the Indo-Pacific.”
Langford suggests that for the US to counterbalance these threats effectively, it must uplift its manufacturing base, enhance missile and anti-ship weapon stockpiles, and expand its Navy and Air Force presence in the region. “Only with a credible “stand-in” deterrence capability can the US assure its allies of its commitment to a continued presence in Asia, as well as provide the military capability necessary to deter China’s aggression.”
Drawing from Australia’s 2024 National Defence Strategy, Langford underscores the importance of bolstering Australia’s defence posture, including logistical support for US forces, to safeguard regional stability and uphold international law.
Access the Article: ‘Dark Quad’ threat demands urgent action.