This past month in Australian foreign affairs: Australia-Japan Leaders’ Meeting, Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement signed, diplomatic announcements, and more.

The political developments in Kazakhstan are an inherently domestic affair, namely resulting from the public’s resentment for rising fuel prices. Yet the decisions adopted by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will have overarching consequences the whole Central Asian region.

Political instability and protests have erupted in Kazakhstan. The outcome of the unfolding events will have substantial effects on the region, and on global great power rivalry.

Honduran president-elect Xiomara Castro will take office on 27 January 2022. Her victory offers hope in a country beleaguered by violence and corruption — and tells a familiar story about how women win. 

In the current strategic environment, states are looking beyond the strategies of the past to ensuring their national security. A little-heralded Australian defence program in the Indo-Pacific may hold the edge in supporting Australian interests through the hand of friendship.

Australian strategic studies cannot keep up with current rates of geo-strategic change. Focussing on different analysis methodologies — such as forward-looking, disruptive innovation — could be the solution.

Yemen has been devastated by conflict for the past six years. Poverty, food insecurity, and disease levels have become astronomical.

China’s influence is expanding in Central America. This has contributed to Taiwan’s isolation from its diplomatic allies in the region, and has significant implications for the geopolitical competition between China and the USA.

The Chinese Communist Party has enacted a five-year plan for the construction of a rule of law. It has been instrumental in maintaining its political supremacy and has had significant implications for Hong Kong.

Abe Shinzō was Japan’s longest-serving prime minister. But his legacy will be mixed at best, according to a recent volume from leading Japanese and Western scholars.