This week in Australian foreign affairs: Morrison and Ardern’s talks in Queenstown, WTO barley dispute settlement panel, and the passing of James Crawford, Judge of the International Court of Justice.

According to the latest estimates from the International Labour Organization (ILO), 60 percent of the global workforce, are informally employed. Informal employment exists everywhere, but it is primarily concentrated in Asia and Africa.

Lebanon is passing through challenging times, even when compared with Lebanon’s own standards of what constitutes as “challenging.” As previous allies seem to be withdrawing support, Russia is developing strategic relations with Beirut.

What role does the Asia-Pacific play in Russian energy strategy? The answer is of consequence to Australian security, and yet Russian energy interests in the region remain an understudied area.

Australia is the only state party to the Moon Agreement to have signed the Artemis Accords. Australia’s simultaneous membership of both instruments is problematic both from a diplomatic and a legal standpoint.

Jim Richardson, professor of political science and international relations at the Australian National University, passed away on May 10. He was 87.

The manufacturing world is facing one of its greatest challenges in years — a global shortage of semiconductors. There doesn’t appear to be an end in sight any time soon.

The risks of improper foreign influence on academic research have become a topic of growing concern in many parts of the world. Much of this concern has focused on efforts by China to restrict the freedom of expression of academics and students abroad as well as at home, or to obtain access to research findings.

The Tiananmen Square Massacre offered a violent glimpse into the nature of Chinese politics under a communist government. In his new book, Indian diplomat Vijay Gokhale revisits his first-hand experience of the 1989 event.   

Linda Jakobson joins Allan and Darren to discuss Australia-China relations. They examining the decline in bilateral relations and the pathway forward for both countries.