Penny Wong assumed the role of foreign affairs minister at a crucial time in Australian history. For years, China has been on the rise, but now it’s beginning to challenge the dominance of the United States in the Pacific.

World leaders and military planners are openly weighing the risk the two superpowers could stumble into war. How does Australia navigate a path to peace? That question now rests on Wong’s shoulders.

This week, the government committed up to $368 billion over the next 30 years to acquire nuclear submarines — the single biggest defence spend in Australian history. But big questions remain about whether these subs will ever be delivered at all.

Today, Hugh White on what could still go wrong — and why these submarines might never actually be delivered.

In recent months senior Australian politicians have talked openly about a potential military conflict with China over Taiwan. The increasingly tense rhetoric follows a series of incursions by China into Taiwanese air and naval space. Today, Hugh White, on the changing power dynamics in our region, and the risks of war between the US and China.

The world’s two superpowers, China and the United States, have been steadily building up their military presence in the Taiwan Strait. President Xi Jinping has made it clear that he wants to bring Taiwan back under China’s control - a move the US seems likely to resist at all costs. Today, Hugh White on how Australia could be drawn into a war over Taiwan.

Australia has entered into a new trilateral military alliance with the United Kingdom and the United States, called AUKUS. The partnership was sealed with the announcement that Australia would, for the first time, construct and operate a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines. Today, Hugh White on why this new submarine deal puts Australia at risk.

The relationship between Australia and China has already reached an all time low, but now senior political figures are starting to talk publicly about war. Today, Hugh White on how likely a hot war with China really is, and why our government seems to be talking up the possibility.

As China seeks to assert dominance, Australia finds itself upping the stakes in a game it doesn’t want to play.