Over the past 15 years, the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons has grown from a grassroots movement to a major international coalition. The success of ICAN in turning the Nuclear Ban Treaty into a reality shows the power of non-state diplomacy.

Also discussed in this episode: A declassified Indo-Pacific strategy, Five Eyes, and the merit of fresh ideas for Australian Foreign Policy.

This week in Australian foreign affairs: Albanese’s speech about US-Australia relations, a further 20 flights back to Australia, and more.

The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons prohibits the development, production, possession, transfer, receipt, testing, hosting, use, and threat of use of nuclear weapons. Today it becomes law – the most significant multilateral development in nuclear arms control since the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty entered into force in 1970.

Today is arguably the most important date in nuclear disarmament efforts since 6 August 1945, when America dropped its bomb on Hiroshima. The UN-negotiated Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons enters into force today, establishing a clear ban on nuclear weapons under international law.

The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons sends a clear message to nuclear-armed states. Its entry into force should not draw attention and resources from the existing and functional nuclear weapons control mechanisms. 

After the symbolically poignant attack on the US Capitol and a sitting Congress, it would be easy to rush policy decisions targeting the people responsible. While some may adopt emotionally charged or partisan responses, it is appropriate to lean on contemporary radicalisation literature to gain perspective.

Jair Bolsonaro, the so-called “Trump from the Tropics,” will be mourning the defeat of the outgoing US president. With Joe Biden now in power, Bolsonaro’s vision for “big Brazil” will have to undergo significant revisions.

Latin America is on the move. After massive strikes in Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Chile, the causes of the relative long-term political stability in Peru remained a mystery.

In 1975, the United Kingdom voted overwhelmingly in favour of European integration.  Little over forty-years later, the UK has reversed its decision in favour of leaving the EU, citing aspirations of reclaiming sovereignty and taking back control.