ANU mourns the loss of Professor Des Ball

ANU is saddened by the death of Professor Desmond Ball AO, who was one of Australia's most influential and respected defence and strategic policy experts. Professor Ball was the leading figure in Strategic Studies in Australia of his generation, and made a major contribution to global scholarship in a field of vital importance. Acting ANU Vice-Chancellor Professor Marnie Hughes-Warrington led the tributes to Professor Ball. She said he was one of Australia's foremost public intellectuals, and exemplified the way scholars can and should contribute to national policy debates. Over many decades he was a major voice on questions of defence policy, nuclear strategy, intelligence and Asia-Pacific security. "In over 40 years with us, starting as an undergraduate student in the 1960s, he made an absolutely remarkable contribution to the University as a scholar, teacher, academic leader and mentor," Professor Hughes-Warrington said. "His analysis during the Cold War of US nuclear defence plans mean he will forever be remembered as the man that helped save the world. "Our thoughts and condolences are with his family, especially wife Annabelle, and children Katie, Matthew and James." During the Cold War, Professor Ball advised US President Jimmy Carter against nuclear strikes against Soviet targets.