Australia can lead on reducing global nuclear risk
by Rumtin Sepasspour
RegNet Visiting Fellow
In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Australia has pulled from the standard toolkit. Strongly worded statements. Far-flung economic sanctions. Humanitarian and military assistance. The dull threat of expelling the ambassador.
Our support is surely appreciated by partners. But it will hardly change the conflict’s trajectory. Ukraine, the US, NATO, Europe and, of course, Russia, will ultimately dictate how the conflict unfolds.
Instead, Australia must look to lead on strategic issues, rather than to simply follow on operational ones. Global crises present such opportunities. And this conflict highlights one area that Australia is well-positioned to lead on: reducing the risk of nuclear weapons.