This week in Australian foreign affairs: India-Australia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement negotiations formally resume, the 30th anniversary of the Madrid Protocol, new diplomatic appointments, and more.

Australia and the Republic of Korea share strategic objectives in the region and a longstanding defence relationship. Yet there is still far more that can be done to strengthen security ties and cooperation in the face of looming threats.

Australia’s Pacific Step-up is shaped by the threat of China undermining Australia’s long-standing influence. However, Australia’s foreign aid budget enabling this Step-up has been subjected to unfavourable domestic political forces.

AUKUS sets back Australia’s development as a nation and its national security. Although it is hard to judge an agreement in its first month, AUKUS is unlikely to make Australia safer.

A prominent frontier in the Sino-US competition and the Quad’s agenda is tech and cyberspace governance. To tackle emerging security challenges, India would benefit from a modified multistakeholder approach to internet governance.

Tensions are rising on the eastern border of the European Union. Belarussian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka promotes instability and EU countries are run afoul of human rights as a humanitarian crisis unfolds.

China has stepped up its economic and political influence in the Balkans through the Belt and Road Initiative. However, as this region is considered a military flashpoint, Chinese influence raises concerns for other European states.

In Realpolitik, states ambitiously plan for and pursue their national interests, which often comes into conflict with other states’ interests, bringing instability to regions where these power games are played. This is well illustrated in South Asia, particularly in Balochistan.

The growing importance of remittances in El Salvador has opened the doors to increased use of digital currencies. But the volatility of crypto-currency presents a significant barrier to this process.

After months of advance publicity, most of us already know where Sharri Markson & News Corp believe the COVID-19 pandemic began. Her book exposes the cover-ups and deceptions that surrounding China’s announcement of the novel coronavirus in December 2019.