The volatile and increasingly violent state of international affairs has made deterrence the de rigueur strategic policy objective of the West for many years now. As the US-led liberal international order has decayed, it has been reasoned that new capabilities and new partnerships are required to provide the kit and credibility to effectively deter emboldened and brazen adversaries; namely China, Russia, Iran and their autocratic acolytes.  

The Mexico, Indonesia, Korea, Turkiye and Australia grouping continues to meet, showing ongoing commitment to middle power cooperation. The group has lasted longer than expected, due in part to their many shared commonalities. 

Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) have been long lauded as a viable financing alternative for Southeast Asian countries to fill in infrastructure gaps and boost economic growth. The changing geopolitical landscape and development priorities particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, however, have distorted PPP implementation and opened them up to predatory domestic interests—Indonesia being a case in point. 

The collapse of Sheikh Hasina’s authoritarian regime in August 2024 marked the beginning of a new era for Bangladesh, with the student-led revolution pushing for a more inclusive political and social order. This shift from secular Bengali nationalism to multiculturalism presents a significant turning point as the country reimagines its national identity.

I Will Show You How It Was is a personal Ukrainian perspective on the realities of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, vital for understanding the nature of this war of aggression and the motivation of Ukrainians.

Russia's scientific community is facing a catastrophic decline as repression, arrests, and brain drain cripple innovation and international collaboration. With key sectors devasted and critical talent fleeing, Putin's miscalculations have isolated Russia and jeopardised its future technological competitiveness. 

Rockets are now being fired by Iran into Israel. This turn of events raises new questions: will Israel’s strategy of degrading Hezbollah work, lead to a full blown regional war, or be a game changer in the Middle East?

The two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict needs to be acted on if the war and misery suffered in the Middle East over the last year is to end. A Saudi initative offers some hope.

While the war against Hezbollah and defense against Iran have united Israel, deep societal divisions persist, manifested particularly in the differing responses to the Gaza war. Some prioritise military action to dismantle Hamas for long-term security, while others emphasise the need to end the military operation and negotiate for the release of hostages, reflecting a growing rift over the government’s approach and the nation’s future direction.

This week in Australian foreign affairs: Marles in New Zealand for South Pacific Defence Ministers' Meeting; new financial and cyber sanctions imposed on Russian citizens for cybercrime; new humanitarian assistance package to support civilians in Lebanon, and more.