Jim Molan and Michael Shoebridge have each thought deeply, for a long time, about the challenges of defending Australia. Molan has served this country in uniform and has faced the rapidly evolving nature of warfare and coercion firsthand. Shoebridge’s long and distinguished career in the Department of Defence has given him a decisive role in shaping the evolution of Australia’s strategic policy.

Both commentators take issue with contradictions and assumptions in my essay, but seem to spend a lot of time agreeing with me.