Both Australia and Japan have signed onto new COP28 pledges to transition away from fossil fuels. The accelerating shift to clean energy will reshape the Australia-Japan relationship. Federal resources minister Madeleine King was in Tokyo last month …
Joko Widodo will end his presidency with an ominous legacy, dynastic building and corruption. Many are concerned a broader erosion of democracy will follow the elections. Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Suharto came to power in different times, (Suharto 1966- …
Iran and Russia have entered a closer political, economic, and military relationship during the past two years, the trigger widely seen as the upsurge in defence cooperation following Russia’s full invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. This new …
In his third edition of “India after Gandhi,” historian Ramachandra Guha argues that India is now in the middle of its fourth crisis since independence. While India may navigate its way through, this crisis will leave deep scars. In November 1997 Peter …
The legislative election on 10 April in South Korea will be critical for President Yoon Suk-yeol, occurring just before the halfway point of his five-year term. With current approval rating sitting at 31 percent, the outcome does not look good. South …
In the second of this series on the global election scene, Colin Chapman looks at controversial elections taking place in February. The one likely to have the biggest impact globally, and in Australia, is the Indonesian presidential and legislative …
This week in Australian foreign affairs: Papua New Guinea (PNG)-Australia Annual Leaders’ Dialogue; China hands death sentence to Yang Hengjun; Royal Australian Navy sends officers and sailors to Guam under AUKUS agreement; new support for PNG Rugby, and …
Russia’s once friendly relationship with Israel has soured demonstrably, with public support for Hamas now unquestionable. This move represents a broader geostrategic aim that attempts to position Russia as a peacemaker and the ongoing US-Israel-western …
From Buenos Aires to Davos, Milei’s bold reforms spark fervent debate and global attention, challenging traditional economic paradigms while navigating domestic dissent and international scrutiny. The next step is up to Congress. During the campaign, …
Germany’s political landscape is fracturing, and the far-right is on the rise. The established parties need to respond and become more appealing for a broader cohort of voters. For decades, German politics – or initially West German politics – was …
In her book, Séverine Autesserre investigates the persistence of an “unlikely peace” in certain conflict-ridden areas like Idjwi in Congo and Somaliland in Somalia. She argues that locally-led grassroots peacebuilding efforts uphold a unique peace in these …
As the 2024 election in the US approaches, trust in government and media is eroding. Regulating Big Tech to make sure they and their algorithms are held accountable is paramount. America is entering what may be the most high-stakes election year in its …
As OECD countries move forward with marriage equality, Japan’s stance remains unchanged, with the ruling party’s religious alliances suggesting a reason for the status quo. But the majority of Japanese favour legalisation. Recent opinion polls in 2021 and …
The latest war in Gaza began with Hamas’s 7 October attack. Israel’s response is brutally destructive but is proving indecisive while worsening regional tensions and global problems. The preeminent war philosopher Carl von Clausewitz famously declared that …
Geopolitical competition in the Pacific is intensifying, and left unmanaged it can compromise development and governance. Development partners could do much more to align with Pacific priorities, pool resources, and dial-up impact in a “race to the top.” …
There can be no meaningful peace without full recognition of Palestinian sovereignty. Only new leadership and new vision, on both sides, can find peace. No issue of foreign policy that does not involve direct Australian military participation has caused …
This week in Australian foreign affairs: ANZMIN ministerial consultations; new sanctions announced for Myanmar entities; new aid for Timor-Leste, and more. On 1 February, Foreign Minister Penny Wong issued a Joint Statement with Deputy PM and Minister for …
The United States can degrade the capabilities, but not the motivations, of its adversaries in the Middle East. Memories and mythologies matter; the root causes of the malaise gripping the region are not within the power of Washington to resolve. Caesar. …
Women’s success in sports can have substantial positive economic outcomes for their countries. More than this, they can contribute to a nation’s international affairs and influence relationships with other countries. The achievements of women in sports …
Australia is seemingly focused on the red centre and the wealth generated by its vast farms and mines. Ian Hoskins’ book is a useful antidote to this inland fixation by retelling Australia’s long-standing relationship with the Pacific. Near the end of Ian …
