Violating international law might be the point of the Illegal Migration Bill, because it enables the British government to pick a politically useful fight in Europe. That means that merely complaining about illegality might not be an effective response.

The new labelling effort by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for non-traditional milk products illustrates that both language and consumer patters change. A key question concerns how traditional market players will respond to these changes. 

Australia is deploying a range of tools of statecraft to try to improve its relationships with Pacific Island countries and peoples. One of the focuses of Australian statecraft is developing “people-to-people connections,” with education, sports, media, cultural, and church partnerships seen as integral to these connections.

In recent years, there has been an increased recognition of the importance of space to Australia’s economic, social, and national security interests. Australia may soon find itself torn between its obligations under international space law and its involvement in internationally collaborative space activities. 

The Darien jungle, known as the Darien gap, is the only land connection between Central and South America. It has become known as one of the most dangerous migratory routes in the world.

Natural disasters in 2021 alone triggered internal displacements of over 23.7 million people (almost double those displaced by conflict).Of these, 13.7 million were in East Asia and the Pacific region and approximately half of those displaced are women and girls.

The rhetoric this week from global leaders is moving the narrative of global war closer to reality. Xi Jinping's visit to Russia hasn't helped. 

Greater organisation for the protection of critical minerals industries from economic coercion is on the agenda for major nations, with China's actions providing a catalyst. A key platform for the agenda will be May's G7 summit in Hiroshima. 

This week in Australian foreign affairs: Royal Assent given to Aus-UK FTA in UK, 40th anniversary of CER with NZ, Ayres travels to China for Bo’ao Forum, and more.

The divisive nature of the pro-life/pro-choice debate in the United States is well-known. Less widely appreciated are potential developments that might lead more people to “vote with their feet” for abortion policies they prefer.