Talking Tactics with Mel Pikos

The war in Gaza has dragged on for months — but now, US President Donald Trump has announced a bold 20-point peace plan aimed at ending the conflict once and for all. Israel has already agreed to the terms, but the big question remains: will Hamas accept?In this video, we break down the key points of Trump’s proposal:A full ceasefire and return of Israeli hostages within 72 hours- Hamas relinquishing control of Gaza- Israel halting...

Why does Australia recognise Palestine, but not Taiwan?Taiwan is a thriving democracy, home to 23 million people and the world’s leading producer of advanced microchips. It has its own government, its own military, and its own foreign policy. By every practical measure, it operates as an independent country.And yet — Australia, the United States, and most of the world refuse to officially recognise it. Instead, they continue to fol...

Australia’s closest and potentially most important ally isn’t half a world away — it’s right on our doorstep. Just four kilometres from Queensland lies Papua New Guinea, a nation with deep cultural ties to Australia and growing strategic importance in the Indo-Pacific.In this video, we break down the emerging Australia–PNG partnership and what it means for both countries. From the landmark Pukpuk Defence Treaty and the inclusion of...

Australia is stepping into the missile age — but is it moving fast enough to keep pace with China? Right now, Australia operates a range of advanced missiles, from Javelins and Stingers to long-range strike systems like HIMARS. But here’s the catch: most of them are imported. Brisbane’s factories are only just beginning to produce guided munitions locally, and the question remains — can we scale up?In this video, we break down:🔹 T...

Australia’s biggest military exercise just wrapped up – and Talisman Sabre 2025 delivered some serious firepower.This year saw HIMARS rocket systems blasting targets, paratroopers dropping into action from the sky, and for the first time, exercises expanded into Papua New Guinea, highlighting the growing regional scope of Australia’s defence partnerships. Adding to the spectacle, the UK’s aircraft carrier joined the drills, undersc...

In this video, we’re breaking down and ranking the equipment used by the Australian Army in a tier list showdown. From frontline firepower like the EF88 rifle to heavy-hitting armour like the M1A1 Abrams tank, plus drones, APCs, artillery, and more — we’ll put them head-to-head to see what’s top-tier, and what might be due for an upgrade.Whether you’re a defence enthusiast, military historian, or just curious about Australia’s mode...

Australia has just made a huge defence move — locking in the purchase of Mogami-class frigates from Japan for its new General Purpose Frigate program.This is the first time Australia has ever bought a major warship design from Japan… so why now? And what makes the Mogami-class so special?In this video, we break down:🔹 Why the Royal Australian Navy chose the Mogami-class🔹 The $10 billion deal and what it covers🔹 How these frigate...

With tensions escalating globally—from China's aggression towards Taiwan, to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, to the recent US strikes on Iran—the threat of a global conflict is no longer farfetched. But if World War 3 broke out, what role would Australia play?In this episode of Talking Tactics, I walk through a hypothetical scenario of a multi-front global war, based on real strategic wargaming exercises. We ask the hard question...

Australia has six regular infantry battalions in the Royal Australian Regiment (RAR) — each with its own identity, role, and capabilities. In this video, we break down what makes each battalion unique.From light infantry to amphibious specialists and mechanised units we look atthe role of each RAR battalion, the gear and weapons they use, and how they operate as part of the Australian Army.Whether you're curious about the ADF, ...

Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 (TS25) is set to be the largest, most strategically significant iteration yet of this biennial joint military exercise. Involving Australian Defence Forces (ADF), the United States military, plenty of other nations (and likely "observers" from China's PLA Navy), TS25 will test interoperability, combat readiness, and strategic coordination across land, sea, air, and cyber domains. With grow...

What happens when a country shuts down coal plants, underinvests in gas, and leans too heavily on intermittent renewables—without the storage or infrastructure to back it up?In this video, we break down how Australia's current energy policy is creating soaring power prices, a fragile grid, and a growing risk to national security. With military fuel reserves dangerously low and the threat of blackouts rising, is ideology winning...

In this special live episode of Talking Tactics, I sit down with former Australian Prime Minister John Howard for a candid conversation on the major political, economic, and defence issues shaping Australia and the world today.John Howard shares his unfiltered views on:- Donald Trump, U.S. politics, and the dangers of tariffs on economic growth- Why Anthony Albanese’s Labor government won the last election- His opinion of David Cri...

Imagine an Australian Defence Force with cutting-edge B-21stealth bombers, a full brigade of mechanised infantry, modern missile defencesystems in the north, and a sovereign military satellite network. It soundsambitious—but it could become reality if Australia increased its defence budgetto 3.5% of GDP.

In this episode, I’m breaking down what capabilities theAustralian Defence Force could acquire if we were to have such an increas...

If China invades Taiwan, what would Australia do?In this episode, Mel Pikos explores the high-stakes reality of Australia’s potential involvement in a war between China, Taiwan, and the United States. From our $325 billion trade relationship with China to our military alliance with the US and AUKUS commitments, Australia may be closer to conflict than most realise.We break down:What a Chinese invasion of Taiwan could look likeWheth...

Did you know Australia has a home-grown radar system that can detect aircraft over Indonesia, ships near Papua New Guinea, and even missile launches from China—all from deep within the Outback?In today's episode, we dive into the Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN)—a cutting-edge, over-the-horizon radar system that revolutionised Australia’s regional surveillance capabilities. Not only is it a powerful tool for national d...

Australia is always undergoing significant reshapings of its defence strategy — and while there is often big announcements for new projects, equipment and weapons being acquired, it also means some major military projects are being cancelled, delayed, or scaled down.In this video, we break down the ADFs recent cancellations, reductions or changes, including:✈️ The cancellation of a fourth squadron of F-35A Lightning II jets🚫 The s...

Want to help combat homelessness? Consider donating to my fundraiser for the CEO Sleepout that I will be participating in. Every little bit helps. https://www.ceosleepout.org.au/fundraisers/melpikos/queensland ---From the skies above to the seas below, drones and uncrewed systems are transforming modern warfare—and the Australian Defence Force is leaning into this revolution. In this video, we explore how the ADF is investing in a ...

Australia’s steel industry is at a crossroads. With the future of the Whyalla Steelworks hanging in the balance, the nation faces a critical question: can we afford to lose our sovereign steelmaking capability? In this video, we break down: The challenges facing Australia's steel sector, the potential collapse of Whyalla Steelworks and its national impact, how global tensions — from trade wars to rising conflict risks — have ma...

In a significant shift, New Zealand has unveiled its 2025 Defence Capability Plan, committing NZ$12 billion over the next four years—including NZ$9 billion in new funding—to modernise and expand its military forces. This plan aims to increase defence spending from just over 1% to more than 2% of GDP within eight years, marking the most substantial investment in the New Zealand Defence Force in decades.In this video, we delve into:T...