Australia’s reliance on bilateral security agreements as a counter to China’s growing influence in the Pacific is proving short-sighted, as Cook Islands’ engagement with Beijing demonstrates. To secure enduring regional partnerships, Australia must prioritise long-term relationship-building and Pacific-led regionalism over transactional agreements and reactionary diplomacy

This week in Australian foreign affairs: Marles visits new US Defense Secretary Hegseth in Washington D.C.; Wong announces new sanctions against Russian cyber entity and individuals; Marles responds to questions on South China Sea incident, and more.

Climate change is an existential threat for pacific nations and Australia, according to the authors of Climate politics in Oceania: Renewing Australia-Pacific Relations in a Warming World, is dragging its feet when it comes to leadership and engagement in climate policy in the pacific.

Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the WHO undermines global health security, jeopardising disease control efforts, climate resilience programs, and pandemic preparedness. As the world faces rising health threats, the absence of US leadership weakens international cooperation and leaves a dangerous gap in global health governance.

Donald Trump's neglect of Southeast Asia, coupled with controversial foreign policy decisions like his Gaza proposal and the abolishment of USAID, is eroding US credibility and trust in the region. As ASEAN states seek alternative partnerships with middle powers and China capitalises on Washington’s missteps, America risks losing its strategic influence in the Indo-Pacific

In order to further capture India’s rapidly-growing demand for international tourism, Australian tourism marketing must transition to engaging with emerging means of youth communication: social media influencers.

It was offensive, thoughtless, and ridiculous for President Donald Trump to ponder aloud at a press conference with Benjamin Netanyahu about America colonising Gaza, moving out the existing population, and turning it into a sea-side holiday destination. Given how many statements Trump has made like this as president, not just as a candidate, it is tempting to see Trump as uniquely dangerous.   

With the treaty set to expire in 2026, the absence of a binding arms control agreement raises concerns over unchecked nuclear expansion amid rising geopolitical tensions. While confidence-building measures could pave the way for future negotiations, the lack of political will on both sides signals a bleak outlook for global arms control

The new AI executive order signals a departure from Biden’s regulatory framework, prioritising innovation and national competitiveness over responsible AI principles. While it removes barriers for private sector growth, concerns remain about reduced oversight on bias, misinformation, and civil rights protections.

The semiconductor dynamic between China and Taiwan operates within a three-tier paradigm encompassing cultural, military, and techno-economic dimensions. Taiwan’s export-driven, semiconductor-centric economy is a double-edged sword—serving as both a shield of technological supremacy deterring Chinese aggression and a vulnerability due to its lack of economic diversification for long-term stability.