Can Manila balance diplomacy with defence to protect its sovereignty amid Beijing's aggressive expansion in the South China Sea? This question dominated discussions at the inaugural Track 1.5 Manila Dialogue, held from 6-8 November in the National Capital Region of the Philippines.  

Australia’s economic diplomacy in Africa remains tied to its mining activities, with limited engagement in public and cultural diplomacy–the kind that contributes to deep, respectful and time-tested relations. It must be wary also of being embroiled in a resources race, where local African populations are exploited for Western gains. 

Geoff Raby's new book examines the evolving power dynamics in Core Eurasia, focusing on the competition between China and Russia, particularly in Central Asia. Raby highlights historical tensions, strategic implications, and the shifting global order, offering insights into China's rising dominance and the potential for a strategic shift in US-Russia relations.

As the Australian and Indian cricket teams meet each other in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Tourism Australia is pursuing its own stake in the series: leveraging cricket’s popularity to attract the lucrative Indian tourism market, with the potential to foster cross-cultural understanding and strengthen bilateral economic ties.

The gradual withdrawal of the Saudi-led coalition from Yemen and a diplomatic rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran suggest a major geopolitical realignment in the Middle East, challenging US influence. This new alignment signals a regional shift towards greater independence, with Riyadh and Tehran turning their focus toward shared challenges and away from antagonistic competition.

“Repeat: A Warning From History” is Dennis Glover's new book that looks to the future as much as the past. He draws parallels between significant historical figures and the politics of today. Unfortunately, this focus on drawing lessons from history leaves much to be desired. 

This week in Australian foreign affairs: Albanese in Brazil the G20; Albanese attends Australia-China third bilateral summit; second Australia-India Annual Summit; Marles hosts Australia-US-Japan Trilateral Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Darwin, and more.

The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group is reshaping perceptions of the far-right in the European Parliament through strategic cooperation with mainstream parties. Despite internal divisions and nationalist challenges, its growing influence highlights the complexities of far-right politics in a transnational context.

How to describe Australia’s relationship with China is something that has vexed many of Australia’s political leaders. From Kevin Rudd’s offer that Australia might serve as China’s “zhengyou” (honest friend), to Tony Abbott’s description of the relationship as defined by “fear and greed,” to Malcolm Turnbull’s quip that China represented a “frenemy” of Australia, the labels used by these three prime ministers symbolise the difficulty we have faced in recent years in Australia in thinking about how to frame our multifaceted relationship with China.

The Trump campaign war cry “we will drill, baby, drill” could lead to a resurgence of oil and gas (O&G) exploration and production in the South China Sea when (and not if) President-elect Donald Trump removes obstacles to oil and gas production currently in place in the United States. It may also add to the existing commercial bulwark the United States and its allies in the region already possess to deter China’s attempts to seek hegemony over the South China Sea.