Australia has had a quiet time on the international front over the last few decades due in part to the hub and spoke arrangement that put the USA in the driving seat of world affairs. However, that era is ending thanks partly to the rise in wealth across many of Asia's key players. While the rise of China and India provides plenty of scope for functional cooperation, there are many unresolved issues in the region that could cause conflict.

Tangled Webs looks at Australia's future in a multi-lateral era where the USA is no longer the king pin and Asia is on the rise.

The document has been compiled and published by the independent Australian Strategic Policy Institute with the aim of informing the public on strategic and defense issues. The institute forms part of the government's advisory committee to provide fresh ideas on Australia's defense and strategic policy choices.

The publication, which was reviewed tonight on radio 2GB with Brian Wilshire can be downloaded from the institute's website by clicking here. The Podcast is available on the 2GB website here.