“AUKUS as a Tool of Full-Spectrum Strategic Competition”

June 2, 2026
Japan Forum on International Relations (JFIR)
Global Forum of Japan (GFJ)
Council on East Asian Community (CEAC)

The 216th Diplomatic Roundtable, co-hosted by the Japan Forum on International Relations and two other organizations, was held on the theme of “AUKUS as a Tool of Full-Spectrum Strategic Competition”, with Thomas Wilkins, Distinguished Research Fellow, JFIR / Associate Professor, The University of Sydney, as the guest speaker. The Roundtable was held as outlined in items 1.–6., and a summary is provided in item 7. below.

1. Date and Time: Friday, June 2, 2026 from 2:00-3:30pm
2. Place: In-person at the JFIR conference room and via ZOOM webinar
3. Theme: “AUKUS as a Tool of Full-Spectrum Strategic Competition”
4. Speaker: Thomas Wilkins, Distinguished Research Fellow, JFIR / Associate Professor, The University of Sydney
5. Attendees: 34 members
6. Summary
Dr. Thomas Wilkins, Distinguished Research Fellow, JFIR / Associate Professor, The University of Sydney, gave a Roundtable on “The Two Pillars of AUKUS and Optimal Pathway,” “Liminal Warfare in Strategic Competition,” “Analytical Framework for Strategic Competition and Strategic Minilateralism: Four Areas of Analysis,” and “Analysis and Evaluation of AUKUS,” followed by a lively Q&A session with the attendees.