2016 DEFENCE WHITE PAPER

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CHAPTER TWO: STRATEGIC OUTLOOK
SECTION ONE STRATEGY
2.101 Russia’s involvement in the Syrian conflict increases the complexity of
the United States-led international coalition’s effort to disrupt, degrade
and ultimately defeat the terrorist threat from Daesh. Australia has said
consistently that the crisis in Syria requires a political solution and it is
important that all countries, including Russia, play a constructive role in
achieving such a solution.
Weapons of Mass Destruction
2.102 Over coming decades, the challenges of weapons of mass destruction
will continue to be of concern to the international community.
2.103 While the number of countries with declared weapons of mass destruction,
particularly nuclear weapons, has remained relatively stable, weak or
fragile countries may resort to using weapons of mass destruction, as
demonstrated by the use of chemical weapons in Syria by the Syrian
Regime. Terrorists will also continue to seek the means to conduct a mass
casualty chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear attack.
2.104 The international community has a track record of unified action to
address the threat associated with the proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction. Australia has historically been a prominent supporter of
this international effort, which includes the Non-Proliferation Treaty,
the Chemical Weapons Convention, the Australia Group which seeks to
control the export of chemical or biological weapons and the Proliferation
Security Initiative framework aimed at preventing the illicit trade of
sensitive weapons of mass destruction technologies. The international
community’s actions to remove Syria’s chemical arsenal under United
Nations Security Council Resolution 2118 demonstrates the resolve
against the possession and proliferation of chemical weapons.
2.105 Australia welcomes the comprehensive plan of action negotiated
between the Permanent Five members of the United Nations Security
Council (the United States, Russia, China, France and the United
Kingdom) plus Germany and Iran, on Iran’s nuclear program.