The expansion of neoliberal capitalism across the planet has been largely responsible for climate change, a phenomenon that is changing weather patterns. As a result of climate change, the planet's ability to adapt is increasingly being stifled, and people around the world are becoming progressively vulnerable to natural calamities like devasting storms, droughts, wildfires and floods.

While the presidential primary witnessed its second Republican debate without Trump, Biden has sent his Vice President Kamala Harris to promote the administration's economic successes. There is still some confusion in the public about the economy, but it is clear that Bidenomics is working. 

This week in Australian foreign affairs: Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Wong delivers Australia’s national statement to UNGA, punitive tariffs on goods imported from Russia and Belarus extended for another two years, and more.

India's leadership at the G20 summit showcases a more inclusive agenda for the world's economic leaders. Yet, more work is needed on addressing key stresses in climate change and debt crises. 

China has regularly published official maps since at least 2006 to “correct” what it views as “problematic maps” that it claims misrepresents its territorial borders. The August 2023 map, published on China’s Ministry of Natural Resources website, includes the entirety of the South China Sea (SCS), Taiwan, the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, and the disputed Aksai-Chin plateau.

The Kadyrov clan have a particularly brutal history of rule in Chechnya. While the show of popular support for Magomed Kadyrov's health displays a level of normality among the leadership, a deep animosity toward the family exists. 

The authors of this timely edition provide the reader with a new and engaging perspectives on the Kim Jung-un regime. Neither unpredictable nor irrational, the book makes clear, Kim adheres to a longstanding Byungjin policy that both contributes to and detracts from his core goals of economic and military development. 

With a political climate easily disposed to pragmatic solutions to global trade, Australia is a leading nation on free trade agreements (FTAs). A more holistic strategy, however, is required to avoid the detriments of geopolitics and build resilient trade agreements with the European Union (EU) and further diversify supply chains. 

Africa's democracy problems are partly explained by the inability of former colonial nations to desocialise violence from politics and governance. Until national leaders can be deprived of their military backers, struggling democracies in Africa will continue to be troubled by autocratic neighbours. 

Industrial standard-setting is soft diplomacy. Australia, as the world’s largest producer of lithium and other environmentally critical minerals, is a major player in enabling the world to meet Paris climate commitments.