The dispute over Australia’s deportation of New Zealand citizens who have been sentenced to prison reflects different approaches to human rights and immigration politics in the two countries.

Despite Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzō’s commanding victory in the recent upper house elections, foreign policy challenges in the next 18 months could undermine his legacy of competent statecraft.

This episode presents another interview with a senior Australian policymaker. Dr David Gruen is Deputy Secretary, Economic at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and Australia’s G20 Sherpa. 

A Lehman-style financial crisis in China is probably inevitable within the next two to three years. Yet despite what will be a bumpy transition, the country should then resume respectable — though slower than current — growth.

While the Russia-China has developed beyond an “axis of convenience,” it is not an alliance. The result is that China will hold the key to moderating Russian behaviour in the future, and that the Chinese and Russian interests will not always align.

Both Boris Johnson, the mercurial and ego-driven new British prime minister, and the present elected EU leaders — Emmanuel Macron, Angela Merkel, Donald Tusk and Jean Claude Junker — must share the blame for splitting the world’s largest and most secure economic bloc.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been touched by Forrest Gump magic. His “Pacific family” policy label has already delivered wins that are as surprising as they are promising.  

Forty years since five departments were consolidated to create the Department of Defence, it is now celebrated and divisive politics are long-forgotten. The creation of Home Affairs should too enable a more strategic and integrated approach to public policy.

As an instance of cultural and public diplomacy, the ballet Red Detachment of Women was a “win” for China in its objective of exhibiting enduring national strength, whilst also for Australia in its desire to demonstrate Australia’s commitment to freedom of expression and inclusivity.

In this interview, Flavia speaks with Professor Mark Beeson about his new book Rethinking Global Governance. They discuss the unwillingness of state leaders to give up sovereignty, why the Brexit might be a reason for optimism about EU governance and other issues.