Washington has long opposed the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, viewing it as a tool for propagating Chinese influence. Now, seven years on from its inception, membership to the AIIB could serve US interests.

US cabinet officials’ travel to the Indo-Pacific is increasingly driven by regional multilateral meetings. With these meetings held virtually in 2021, 2022 should see the US president and his team back on the road.

The establishment of AUKUS was another milestone in Australia’s development of a comprehensive maritime defence strategy. However, the advancement of anti-submarine warfare capabilities threatens nuclear stability in the Indo-Pacific.

China’s long-standing partnerships in Africa show little evidence of decline. As China increases its political and economic influence over the African continent, is the fate of China-Africa relations sealed?

China’s increasing use of grey-zone operations in the South China Sea undermines national sovereignty, international governance, and the US alliance structure in the region. It is essential that US and regional policymakers confront Chinese assertiveness.

In the current strategic environment, states are looking beyond the strategies of the past to ensuring their national security. A little-heralded Australian defence program in the Indo-Pacific may hold the edge in supporting Australian interests through the hand of friendship.

The Chinese Communist Party has enacted a five-year plan for the construction of a rule of law. It has been instrumental in maintaining its political supremacy and has had significant implications for Hong Kong.

With the threat of right-wing extremism accelerating due to the pandemic, understanding the gendered element of the threat is essential countering radicalisation. Misogynist rhetoric is not only pushing men to the far right, but women too.

Climate change has allowed for new energy resources and trade routes to be exploited in the Arctic. This has resulted in growing great power competition between the US, Russia, and China in the region.

Australia’s approach to Pacific migration needs to refocus as climate change worsens. Going forward, Australia should prioritise migrant dignity and mobility.