Amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty and tumult, Paul Tucker draws on International Relations theory, political economy, tangible examples and his own rich experience to provide a much-needed set of concrete prescriptions that could help liberal democracies weather the maelstrom successfully.

Australia's ambition to develop a critical minerals processing industry faces significant challenges due to China's aggressive state-backed market dominance. Success hinges on creating an international security-based pricing framework to ensure sustainable diversification.   

The revival of McCarthy-era repression under Trump’s second term raises profound ethical and political questions for America’s global allies. Australia must navigate these tensions carefully, protecting its democracy while rethinking its role as an independent ally.

As a fragile peace deal risks splintering in Tigray, a catastrophic humanitarian crisis could get even worse. As Chair of the UN Peacebuilding Commission and a middle power, here are some small things Australia can do.

This week in Australian foreign affairs: Wong announces new safety push to protect young Australians; additional humanitarian support for Gaza, Myanmar and Afghan women and girls; Farrell announces new support for Aussie tourism businesses, and more.

Based on in-depth analysis of opinion polls available for the countries of the Middle East and North Africa, the book discusses the political quietism prevailing in the major oil exporters of the Gulf. It introduces the concept of "hydrocarbon citizens” to characterise and explain this prevailing attitude. 

The official designation of KIT Batang as a Special Economic Zone (KEK) marks a significant milestone in Central Java's growing economic ties with China. While promising substantial investment inflows, it also calls for careful management to ensure sustainable development and local benefits

The return of Donald Trump to the White House in 2025 has undoubtedly introduced new dynamics into the Asia-Pacific region. For the Philippines, a long-standing ally of the United States with strategic geopolitical significance, the second Trump administration poses both opportunities and challenges.

Global events such as the election of Donald Trump in America and the popular rise of the far-right Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) party in Germany have shown that democracies around the world are experiencing democratic backsliding. In an era where even Australia’s democratic system faces significant challenges, democratic security presents a fresh security lens with which democratic decline can be explained, targeted, and resisted.  

The “ASEAN Way” has become a lazy label that obscures more than it reveals. Behind this convenient stereotype lies a complex reality of strategic calculations, domestic politics, and pragmatic compromises. Understanding these concrete mechanisms is essential for anyone seeking to engage effectively with Southeast Asia’s most important regional organisation.