Australia-led research on China’s South-North Water Transfer Project reveals it as both an engineering and political undertaking, marked by fragmented governance and local resistance. The project highlights deep tensions between central mandates and local realities, challenging the idea of a unified Chinese state.

With Trump focusing on China both economically and strategically the possibility of war over Taiwan is more acute then ever. Defending Taiwan is not only a question of military power but also the island’s resilience in the face of Beijing’s multimodal aggression. 

The diplomatic clash between the US and China over fishing resources in Peru illustrates how Peru's deepening economic ties with China have increased geopolitical tensions, particularly around strategic assets like the Chancay Megaport. As China's economic dominance in Peru grows, the country faces a challenging balancing act, trying to preserve political neutrality amid escalating rivalry between the US and China.  

As a fragile peace deal risks splintering in Tigray, a catastrophic humanitarian crisis could get even worse. As Chair of the UN Peacebuilding Commission and a middle power, here are some small things Australia can do.

The “ASEAN Way” has become a lazy label that obscures more than it reveals. Behind this convenient stereotype lies a complex reality of strategic calculations, domestic politics, and pragmatic compromises. Understanding these concrete mechanisms is essential for anyone seeking to engage effectively with Southeast Asia’s most important regional organisation. 

Negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine is a formidable challenge as the war enters its fourth […]

Dr Edward Chan is a Postdoctoral Fellow of China Studies at Australian National University and the Associate Editor of The China Journal. 

Hansbury’s book examines Belarus’s 2020 uprising, Lukashenka’s survival strategies, and the West’s response. While insightful and engaging, it overlooks key diplomatic efforts and naively suggests Russia could mediate change. Despite its flaws, it remains essential reading on Belarus’s political crisis.

The Indo-Pacific faces significant maritime challenges, and the solutions to that problem are undermined by insufficient maritime domain awareness (MDA) and fragmented international cooperation. A “Maritime Domain Awareness Mobile Application” featuring an open-source, user-friendly design with interactive functionalities could help address both shortfalls. The app would improve policymakers’ access to maritime information while fostering trust and regional collaboration, starting with a pilot program built by Vietnam.

Europe faces an undeniable shift in its security landscape. While NATO remains crucial, increasing European defence spending and calls for greater autonomy from significant EU leaders signal a shift toward a more self-sufficient security framework. The EU has evolved from an economic organisation at its conception into a political organisation, it could evolve again to include a military organisation.

Dr Dalbir Ahlawat is a Senior Lecturer, School of International Studies, Macquarie University, Australia.