As a perilous ceasefire hangs between India and Pakistan, Kashmiris are being caught in the political crossfire. Without a guarantee of long-lasting stability, civilians will bear the brunt of the conflict. 

With the success of Anthony Albanese and the Labor Party in the election, Australia’s China policy is likely to continue along its current trajectory of cautious stabilisation while preparing for a rise in potential flashpoints. Looking ahead to Albanese’s second term, managing crises to ensure stability is a major task given the foreseeable uncertainties caused by external changes. 

At least for now, Vladimir Putin sees no threat to his rule. His war with Ukraine has bled his country but has bought him the loyalty of a rising class that spans multiple economic sectors.

This week in Australian foreign affairs: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirms early outreach to key international partners, including US President Donald Trump; Foreign Minister Penny Wong reiterates Australia's stance on Gaza; responses to Trump's tariffs on foreign fims, and more.

Nordic and Northern European countries perform best worldwide in a survey of 31 global indexes across political, social, economic and security indicators. They mostly rank ahead of Australia and other “Anglosphere” countries while the US lags, badly.

Ukraine’s wartime digital transformation has opened new doors for women in tech, with female entrepreneurs and professionals stepping into roles once dominated by men. But without structural reforms, their gains risk fading once the crisis subsides.

The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty by India marks a turning point in South Asia’s geopolitical and environmental future. As water becomes both a strategic asset and a source of conflict, the stakes for regional stability and transboundary cooperation have never been higher.

India’s military strikes deep into Pakistan is a major escalation of tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad following a recent terrorist attack in India-administered Kashmir. Pakistani retaliation is a distinct possibility, but both countries are fully aware how quickly things could get out of control.

As Trump’s tariffs send economic shockwaves north, Canada faces a political reckoning. The election revealed a fractured federation struggling to form a common front in the face of escalating US pressure.

Since coming to power in 2013, Xi has recentralised authority in the hands of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Unlike earlier “integrated” authoritarian models where the party-state remained somewhat distinguishable from society, embedded authoritarianism enmeshes CCP networks at all levels, from foreign policy to the military, energy, and technology.