As Canada approaches its 28 April Federal election, the policy implications extend far beyond a simple changing of the guard. This contest between Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and unelected Liberal Party leader, and prime minister, Mark Carney, will determine whether Canada can reverse a decade of economic underperformance and diplomatic decline that has diminished its global standing.

This week in Australian foreign affairs: Foreign Minister Penny Wong demands full investigation into wounding of Australian citizen in West Bank; and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles responds to reports of Russian request for Indonesian base access for long-range bombers.

Thomas Hale’s book Long Problems skilfully unpacks the issue of time that prevents humans to adequately formulate and implement responses. He provides a range of options to overcome this challenge, using climate change as the prime example.

Australian superannuation funds are increasingly investing overseas, yet there is no clear government policy guiding how economic diplomacy should support these high-stakes investments. As super funds face growing exposure to foreign political and regulatory risks—especially in the US, UK, and EU—Australia urgently needs a more coherent strategy to safeguard national retirement savings and define the role of its diplomats in protecting member interests abroad.  

The arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu highlights Türkiye’s escalating political repression, where opposition figures are increasingly targeted under sweeping criminal and terrorism charges. While the ruling and opposition parties battle for control, both continue to marginalise the Kurdish population, revealing a deeper struggle for power rather than genuine democratic reform.  

The European Commission’s new “ReArm Europe Plan/Readiness 2030” outlines ambitious defence goals but overlooks key fiscal and structural challenges for member states. Without accounting for differences in economic capacity and industrial readiness, the plan risks becoming a financial burden rather than a unifying strategy.  

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. 

American uncertainty on trade settings has created opportunities for Australia to strengthen and diversify our relationships in the Asia-Pacific. Bolstering our Asia-Pacific literacy is a key strategic step to achieve these aims.

This week in Australian foreign affairs: Australian assistance team heads to Myanmar; calls for an independent inquiry into the deaths of 15 Palestinian paramedics; the  government rejects China’s call for a joint response to Trump’s latest tariff escalation, and more.