This week in Australian foreign affairs: Aus-PNG defence treaty announced; Wong appoints multiple senior foreign postings; Marles comments on Chinese ships on Australia's east coast, flares deployed in the South China Sea; Burke announces resettlement of three "NZYQ" individuals to Nauru, and more.

Syria’s post-conflict recovery is at risk without its new regime re-establishing human rights and applying them. 

The Australian Government’s new International Gender Equality Strategy reaffirms its commitment to advancing gender equality as a core element of its foreign policy. At a time of global backlash against gender equality, the Strategy integrates gender considerations across diplomacy, trade, development, and security, underscoring their essential role in fostering regional stability, economic growth, and social cohesion.

The enduring influence of shamanism in South Korean politics, reflected in Squid Game's portrayal of Seon-Nyeo, reveals deeper tensions between tradition, governance, and ideology. Similarly, the rise of religious conservatism in the U.S. highlights how cultural beliefs shape political landscapes, raising urgent questions about democracy’s susceptibility to supernatural and ideological forces.

President Donald Trump’s renewed crackdown on undocumented immigration may appease his base, but will it accomplish anything?

China's warnings about telecom fraud abroad contrast sharply with the growing involvement of Chinese nationals in illegal activities across Indonesia, from online gambling to smuggling and fraud. This trend not only strains China-Indonesia relations but also fuels local anti-China sentiment, highlighting the urgent need for stronger enforcement and bilateral cooperation to address transnational crime.

Maritime data in Southeast Asia is fragmented across various sources, complicating efforts to locate relevant data. However, this could be enhanced with a common maritime database.

Hawai‘i’s Chinese community has played a pivotal yet often overlooked role in the islands’ history, shaping its social and economic landscape while navigating complex racial dynamics. Nancy E. Riley’s Place, Race, and Politics in Chinatown attempts to critique this history through a settler-colonial framework but ultimately oversimplifies the nuanced experiences of Chinese Hawaiians, reducing their agency to a narrative of complicity in whiteness.

Russia’s newly legalised cryptocurrency sector is an attempt to challenge the US dollar and evade sanctions. However, it could also lead to even further economic decline for Russia.

Mosul’s residents overwhelmingly support heritage restoration, seeing it as a path to peace and reconciliation. However, international efforts must balance historical authenticity with modern functionality and prioritise local leadership.