Fresh perspectives

Fresh Perspectives gives former AIIA interns, AIIA youth members, young professionals and other emerging scholars an opportunity to write a 500-750 word article covering a foreign affairs issue. For information for contributors see below.

29 May 2025
Norms that have long contributed to Australia's prosperity are increasingly in need of safeguarding from the rise of international populism.
20 May 2025
Air strikes are nothing new for Myanmar’s civilians, but since the 2021 coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected
01 May 2025
Citizen diplomacy is reshaping global politics as ordinary individuals take on more active roles in advocating for democratic values and
07 Apr 2025
Sexual violence in conflict zones is systematically employed as a military strategy, yet global institutions fail to address it. Urgent
03 Apr 2025
Resisting colonial betrayal following Papua New Guinea's independence, Torres Strait Islanders were integral to the bilateral Australia-Papua New Guinea Torres
27 Mar 2025
Global events such as the election of Donald Trump in America and the popular rise of the far-right Alternative fur
21 Mar 2025
What if an unpredictable leader chose to block Australian access to ChatGPT? Or if the owner of a major social
21 Mar 2025
Negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine is a formidable challenge as the war enters its fourth year, with
20 Mar 2025
The 2024 Nauru-Australia Treaty focuses more on Australia's own strategic objectives than helping Nauru develop sustainably. Nauru's attempts to raise
07 Mar 2025
In the beginning, there was the state—conceived in masculine metaphor. The nation as father, as protector, as sovereign force. This
28 Feb 2025
Europe faces an undeniable shift in its security landscape. While NATO remains crucial, increasing European defence spending and calls for
11 Feb 2025
The semiconductor dynamic between China and Taiwan operates within a three-tier paradigm encompassing cultural, military, and techno-economic dimensions. Taiwan’s export-driven,
04 Feb 2025
Ukraine’s e-governance platform, “Diia,” has proven essential during the war, showcasing the power of digital innovation and resilience. Australia can
30 Jan 2025
With China’s rapid Electric Vehicle (EV) expansion squeezing global markets and Donald Trump’s tariff threats looming, Western automakers face mounting
15 Jan 2025
Disinformation threatens Australian democratic processes. The failure of the proposed Disinformation and Misinformation bill highlights the urgent need for balanced
19 Dec 2024
Australia’s proposed social media ban for those under 16 aims to protect youth mental health but risks unintended consequences. International
17 Dec 2024
Shigeru Ishiba’s ambitious foreign policy agenda—ranging from amending Article 9 and proposing an Asian NATO framework to strengthening the Japan-US
11 Dec 2024
The Pacific is​​, as former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison described in 2018, a region where “we have special responsibilities”
06 Dec 2024
Conflicts across the globe illustrate the devastating humanitarian consequences when urban areas become theatres of war. The use of explosive
25 Nov 2024
The gradual withdrawal of the Saudi-led coalition from Yemen and a diplomatic rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran suggest a
15 Nov 2024
South Korea’s traditionally family-run conglomerates, the chaebols, play a key role in the development and implementation of national derisking policy.
21 Oct 2024
China’s extensive use of subsidies is a significant driver of global trade tensions, influencing market dynamics and prompting concerns about
15 Oct 2024
The Laos government has an investment plan that will aid national development and contribute to a broader green energy revolution
26 Sep 2024
Great power conflict may be on the horizon unless more desperate attemps are made to reconcile the challenges Washington and
19 Sep 2024
Australia is the only Western liberal democracy that does not have a legislated national Human Rights Act. Should Australia implement
09 Sep 2024
On the back of their Strengthened Strategic Partnership, Japan and the Philippines have signed a Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA). This
05 Sep 2024
Hungary's Viktor Orbán undertook a rogue “peace mission” in July to “resolve” the Russia-Ukraine conflict. His meetings with Vladimir Putin,
16 Aug 2024
China is applying Mahan's geopolitical theory to enhance its maritime dominance, notably through strategic port developments and asserting control over
14 Aug 2024
Language in politics is a potent instrument for shaping public opinion and framing political narratives, highlighting its role in influencing
06 Aug 2024
For Timor-Leste’s economy, economic diversification is crucial to avoid fallout from a depleting Petroleum Fund. As one of the nation’s
01 Aug 2024
As the general elections in India were underway from April to June 2024, the country was also grappling with severe
28 Jun 2024
The Wagner Group has maintained an active and controversial presence in Africa since 2017, where it has contributed to regional
17 Jun 2024
Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, is the last African country maintaining diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Given China’s growing economic influence
13 Jun 2024
Russian military and political influence have dominated the past two centuries of Georgian history. Since its independence in 1991, Georgia
31 May 2024
Despite government claims of significant victories against Boko Haram, abductions and violence against women in northern Nigeria persist, highlighting inadequate
15 May 2024
Australia’s new migration strategy risks deterring students globally due to heightened financial burdens and limited work opportunities. These reforms are
07 May 2024
An Indigenous-led climate policy, partnerered with ASEAN members, can help to fight climate change. With existing mitigation approaches slowed or
26 Apr 2024
Despite the attraction of Fiji's natural beauty and cultural richness, there is an underlying issue that must be addressed: human
26 Apr 2024
Russian military aircraft are repeatedly intercepted over the Baltic Sea. Its air force is violating international aviation rules. On 6
26 Apr 2024
A decade ago, Abubakar Shekau, the former leader of Boko Haram, released a video boasting “I abducted your girls…I will
27 Mar 2024
As Europe heads to the polls in June, the consequential position of EU Commission president is being contested. How sure
20 Mar 2024
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador is once again proposing the dissolution of the National Electoral Institute. Mass protests in
08 Mar 2024
While ASEAN consists of 10 members, there is no single female head of government. This regional pact also lacks women
07 Mar 2024
Despite the progress made on Indonesian women’s political participation, their inclusion is still bound in patriarchal terms that the Indonesian
05 Mar 2024
Japan and South Korea have the lowest fertility rates in the world. Labour rights can improve this phenomenon, but an
27 Feb 2024
50 years into the relationship between ASEAN and Australia, the partnership needs to be expanded. Nowhere more is this needed
26 Feb 2024
After comments made by the US presidential candidate, Donald Trump, some Europeans are considering the possibility of acquiring nuclear weapons.
26 Feb 2024
2024 marks a transitionary year for Indonesian politics, following the country’s presidential election on 14 February. Focus will now be
12 Feb 2024
The legislative election on 10 April in South Korea will be critical for President Yoon Suk-yeol, occurring just before the
09 Feb 2024
Russia's once friendly relationship with Israel has soured demonstrably, with public support for Hamas now unquestionable. This move represents a
08 Feb 2024
Germany’s political landscape is fracturing, and the far-right is on the rise. The established parties need to respond and become
17 Jan 2024
With Southeast Asia's economic and political future, there are growing calls to invite ASEAN to take a seat at the
17 Jan 2024
As the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2023, the promise of its green future
17 Jan 2024
Some foreign policy analysts may wonder whether, under a new president, Indonesia would take a drastic departure from its current
12 Jan 2024
Governments have long enlisted women’s bodies to meet reproductive policy goals, often with little forethought to the broader implications. Negligent
09 Jan 2024
ASEAN seeks to be the central political body in all Southeast Asian affairs. When it comes to the Rohingya refugee
15 Dec 2023
As operating Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles become easier, and their costs decrease over time, some expect the trend in the
08 Dec 2023
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's first multicultural ambassador will enable Australia to project its unique multicultural soft power
08 Dec 2023
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) strategically positions itself to garner favour with the Muslim World, and among those who perceive
29 Nov 2023
Todays youth will be the ones to deal with the climate challenges of unfettered growth and capitalism. Making sure they
21 Nov 2023
The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted how far human health has been securitised, but this is just one event in the
21 Nov 2023
The provision of security in Papua New Guinea is a fraught affair. With undisciplined and underfunded state-based structures being placed
17 Nov 2023
10 October underscores Beijing and Taipei’s different ideological perspectives. For China, the Xinhai Revolution marks its march toward “Socialism with
09 Nov 2023
Today, the Indonesia-led Archipelagic and Island States Forum (AIS) has become the world’s fastest-growing climate and island-centric multilateral bloc. With
03 Nov 2023
India's connectivity diplomacy is making ground, as the recently announced India-Middle East Corridor (IMEC) at the G20 illustrates. Offering a chance
01 Nov 2023
Türkiye has firmly opposed any harm to civilians and innocents in Gaza and Israel. Despite keeping with his unwavering support
27 Oct 2023
US corporations are having to increasingly juggle concerns of data privacy and human rights alongside profit margins and growth in
20 Oct 2023
While Hamas’ 7 October attack on Israel has provided an opportunity for partisan commentators to condemn or to advocate, one
12 Oct 2023
Despite the growth in numbers, which may require a name change, BRICS looks poised to grow in importance. How the
28 Sep 2023
China has regularly published official maps to “correct” what it views as “problematic maps” that it claims misrepresents its territorial
21 Sep 2023
On the 31 January this year Foreign Minister Penny Wong gave a speech at King’s College in London urging the
20 Sep 2023
Do the Russian people, restricted from the global internet, really trust state media? This is a question we may be
07 Sep 2023
Ankara's rapprochement policy with its rivals does not mean there will be a coming together between Türkiye and Greece. Instead,
07 Sep 2023
Australia and Indonesia share many interests, including upholding international law and norms, particularly on questions of sovereignty. With China's ongoing
24 Aug 2023
The Ukrainian counteroffensive has been active since June 2023, but its success has been marginal so far with around 11
15 Aug 2023
The upcoming BRICS gathering illustrates that a divergence of global political and economic values is occurring. The future demise of
11 Aug 2023
We live in a world where ever-increasing global warming is inducing environmental catastrophe at an alarming rate. In order to
03 Aug 2023
The Russian Mutiny in June by the Wagner Group was mitigated at the last minute by Alexander Lukashenko. While the
27 Jul 2023
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a topic of global concern, with debates surrounding its potential dangers and benefits, highlighting the need
21 Jul 2023
China's incursions into Indonesia's Exclusive Economic Zone have underscored the threat to the country's interests. While a quiet military modernisation
13 Jul 2023
Following the partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947, India and Pakistan have fought three major wars over 70 years.
12 Jul 2023
Antarctica in the imminent decades is projected to become a region of rising tensions and disputes. It is imperative that
23 Jun 2023
Australia has a great opportunity to boost its relationships with Southeast Asian and Pacific Islands countries with the implementation of
16 Jun 2023
In an attempt to secure the region in the interests of peace and stability, states are increasingly militarising their activities
08 Jun 2023
A sea change in the foreign policy of Türkiye looks poised to occur, with a chance for rapprochement between Ankara
02 Jun 2023
India is thinking ahead with its plans to develop 6G capabilities. But to reach the end, it will need collaboration
18 May 2023
The 14 May election in Türkiye shocked many analysts who believed the opposition candidate, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, would defeat the incumbent
03 May 2023
Fighting historical nihilism has been high on the list of Xi Jinping's fight for regime security. As China reverts increasingly
27 Apr 2023
Political impasse, unbridled corruption, and unprecedented levels of gang violence now plague the state of Haiti. This is the worst
20 Apr 2023
The two countries, Bangladesh and Myanmar, need to be ready to move beyond the crisis that has defined their key
20 Apr 2023
On China, disunity, not strategic autonomy, has come to define Europe's struggles for improved relations. This ensures that on the
14 Apr 2023
It is quite clear that when Vladimir Putin decided to invade Ukraine, the Russian president wasn’t expecting significant resistance. Ukraine’s
06 Apr 2023
China is a powerhouse in global trade. Its rapid growth has been significantly fuelled by decades of rising exports, bringing
22 Mar 2023
Myanmar's many ethnic divisions have proved an inhibiting challenge for national unification and development. At the forefront of the current
10 Feb 2023
US Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland’s recent visit to Nepal, India, and Sri Lanka was a welcome,
30 Jan 2023
There is a possible basis for negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. This would involve a UN-supervised referendum for
27 Jan 2023
This month marks one year since the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano and the subsequent tsunami that devastated
24 Jan 2023
The analogy of a new Cold War has been taken up by pundits to draw distinction on the destabilisation of
02 Dec 2022
Populism has become a loaded word, often hurled at anyone critical of the status quo, but it is hardly an
30 Nov 2022
China's new Global Security Initiative promises a reformed regional and global security architecture. Even as its actions speak otherwise, Beijing
21 Nov 2022
The race for space-based solar power (SBSP) is underway between China and the United States. Great power competition has now
09 Nov 2022
Valery Dmitrievich Zorkin has sat atop the Russian judiciary for most of the last 20 years. Through both his rulings
09 Sep 2022
The death of Queen Elizabeth II has sparked a global conversation about her legacy. The opinions and experiences of people
19 Aug 2022
Twenty-five years after the handover, the journey of Hong Kong from British colonial rule to China’s heavy-handed governance has been
11 Aug 2022
Though Australia’s regional strategy increasingly focuses on the Pacific, regional leaders have grown distrustful of Canberra. Proactive climate policy may
05 Aug 2022
Uncertainty has been rising in the cross-strait relations between mainland China and Taiwan since a structural deterioration of US-China relations.
21 Jul 2022
English is a common language in trade and relations, but many throughout Southeast Asia and the Pacific cannot speak it.
20 Jul 2022
Environmentalists have celebrated the global transition to electric vehicles. But motorcycling communities remain concerned that the technology is not innovating
14 Jul 2022
The US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v Wade captured international headlines. But the court’s other recent decisions also
14 Jul 2022
Bangladesh has accepted more than a million displaced Rohingya. But now, as economic conditions deteriorate and discontent grows, Dhaka is
30 Jun 2022
Self-determination is a fundamental right of people recognised under international human rights law, one that promotes freedom and autonomous choice
30 Jun 2022
2022 has played host to some of the world’s largest sporting mega-events, from February’s Beijing Olympics to the upcoming FIFA
27 Jun 2022
Though education, as a fundamental human right, should be accessible to everyone, schooling remains unattainable for much of the world.
22 Jun 2022
Food diplomacy is an under-utilised tool for the development of strong relations and cultural understanding between states. In light of
21 Jun 2022
Bangladesh will open its ambitious Padma Bridge this month. The infrastructure project will have enormous ramifications, both within Bangladesh, and
20 Jun 2022
Working with like-minded is fine, but working open-mindedly is more important. The Quad’s attempt to promote Maritime Domain Awareness and
16 Jun 2022
The midterm Republican primaries are showcasing the battle between Trump-loyalists and traditional Republican conservatives. It’s our first electoral insight into
15 Jun 2022
The human right to water and sanitation is one both crucial and contentious. As climate change accelerates, the increasing scarcity
08 Jun 2022
One little discussed effect of climate change is its impact on the human right to health. Climate change will inevitably
07 Jun 2022
Kabul and Islamabad have a complex history. Almost a year on from the Taliban assuming control of Afghanistan, a longstanding
01 Jun 2022
As Russian soldiers marched into Ukraine, the question on everyone’s mind was: “What does Putin hope to achieve with such
16 May 2022
Winning on its second attempt, and never failing to qualify, Ukraine is Eurovision’s golden child. However, Ukraine’s participation has never
13 May 2022
Recent global events have plastered Australia’s foreign policy on the front page of newspapers. Young Australian voters should take notice. 
29 Apr 2022
Debate rages on Solomon Islands-China security pact and its implications for regional security. Why did Solomon Islands turn to China?
27 Apr 2022
Modern piracy constitutes a real threat to maritime trade, security, and the global economy. Current anti-piracy measures are outdated and
22 Apr 2022
Any crisis in the world affects China.  The Chinese response to the Ukraine crisis has great significance. China's position and
21 Apr 2022
Daybreak on 24 February brought with it Russian bombs and a choice for each of the 40 million Ukrainians. Here's
03 Mar 2022
“Freedom Convoys” have evolved from a small resistance movement in Canada to a global anti-vaccination phenomenon. This is yet another
03 Mar 2022
Women have long been involved in extremist movements. Yet, counter-terrorist policy continues to underestimate the threat of female terrorists, with
17 Feb 2022
Washington has long opposed the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), viewing it as a tool for propagating Chinese influence. Now,
15 Feb 2022
US cabinet officials’ travel to the Indo-Pacific is increasingly driven by regional multilateral meetings. With these meetings held virtually in
11 Feb 2022
The establishment of AUKUS was another milestone in Australia’s development of a comprehensive maritime defence strategy. However, the advancement of
10 Feb 2022
China’s long-standing partnerships in Africa show little evidence of decline. As China increases its political and economic influence over the
08 Feb 2022
China’s increasing use of grey-zone operations in the South China Sea undermines national sovereignty, international governance, and the US alliance
13 Jan 2022
In the current strategic environment, states are looking beyond the strategies of the past to ensuring their national security. A
11 Jan 2022
The Chinese Communist Party has enacted a five-year plan for the construction of a rule of law. It has been
06 Jan 2022
With the threat of right-wing extremism accelerating due to the pandemic, understanding the gendered element of the threat is essential
03 Nov 2021
Climate change has allowed for new energy resources and trade routes to be exploited in the Arctic. This has resulted
29 Oct 2021
Australia’s approach to Pacific migration needs to refocus as climate change worsens. Going forward, Australia should prioritise migrant dignity and
26 Oct 2021
With China banning all trading and mining of cryptocurrency, crypto miners will be seeking to move operations to other locations. States will
21 Oct 2021
In the Asia Pacific, free trade has facilitated economic rise. However, trade barriers, geopolitical rivalries, the COVID-19 pandemic, and regional
12 Oct 2021
The challenge presented by the COVID-19 pandemic has thrust Cuba and its medical internationalism into the spotlight. Australia should take note if it wants to make significant inroads with its
08 Oct 2021
A prominent frontier in the Sino-US competition and the Quad’s agenda is tech and cyberspace governance. To tackle emerging security
23 Sep 2021
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-Cha faces ongoing public protests, poor approval ratings, and a third wave of COVID-19 that has
22 Sep 2021
Osama Bin Laden saw himself as the architect of a plan to defeat the West. The strategic goals he set
01 Sep 2021
The Australian government has long viewed its alliance with the United States as critical to its security. But should Australia
18 Aug 2021
The Trump administration was oft praised for its increased engagement with Taiwan. Looking back, we should ask whether this translated
13 Aug 2021
As the 70th anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement nears, South Korea grapples with competing memories of the Korean War. Historical
13 Aug 2021
The 2019 defeat of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has left tens of thousands of people, many
06 Aug 2021
Thailand’s initial response to COVID-19 was applauded internationally, but cracks have begun to appear in vaccine rollouts and new COVID-19
28 Jul 2021
Australia’s level of influence in the Pacific has declined as the result of a misguided and confused foreign policy. With
22 Jul 2021
US President Joe Biden and European leaders held cosy displays at the G7, EU-US, and NATO Summits held last month.
15 Jul 2021
After the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) retook the regional capital of Mekelle from Ethiopian government forces, Addis Ababa declared
24 Jun 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a rapid and significant increase in the prevalence and severity of modern slavery in
17 Jun 2021
The closing days of the Trump administration raised serious questions about American democracy. Should lingering political problems in the United
21 May 2021
The Indian diaspora is the fastest growing in Australia.  The Australian government's recent discriminatory response to citizens attempting to return
07 May 2021
Africa is a powerful region for future strategic policy. Australia does not demonstrate the interest in African states it should.
08 Apr 2021
Like with any multinational event, politics is always affecting Eurovision. This can be seen in no better example than the
08 Apr 2021
Crisis simulations prepare Australian decision-makers for a wide range of challenges and crises. The Australian Crisis Simulation Summit creates an
17 Mar 2021
South Asian countries have realised that cross-border problems must be addressed at the regional level. In this context, multilateral donors
10 Mar 2021
Up until recently, if asked to identify the most prominent female figure in US politics, the obvious answer would be
09 Mar 2021
It has been a month since the international community began watching in shock and horror as the democratically elected head
04 Mar 2021
Vietnam’s management of the COVID-19 pandemic was highly effective. If Vietnam includes more gender experts in its COVID-19 economic recovery,
03 Mar 2021
The bitter battle against COVID-19 in China has allowed women’s needs to be understood by the public. This has provoked
02 Mar 2021
Of the thirteen women who have headed their government or state in Asia, only one has no traceable connection to
01 Mar 2021
Refugee women’s vulnerability and agency are not mutually exclusive. Some refugee women in the Global South exhibit meaningful agency despite
24 Feb 2021
The Huawei crisis has become a technological flashpoint in the US-China power struggle. The Biden administration’s response to this technological
16 Feb 2021
The Chinese government has produced statements alleging academic and journalistic misconduct for reporting on the Xinjiang camps home to an
10 Feb 2021
“Never Trump” Republicans are hoping the inauguration of a Democratic president might spark a shift that brings “principled conservatism” back
06 Feb 2021
In 2020, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia witnessed youths protesting against governmental measures that were imposed during the height of the
27 Jan 2021
China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) may seem part of a "grand strategy" of expansionism threatening to destabilise the liberal
24 Jan 2021
If further genocidal acts and violence are to be prevented in Burundi, the UN should remain vigilant and act on
21 Jan 2021
After the symbolically poignant attack on the US Capitol and a sitting Congress, it would be easy to rush policy
14 Jan 2021
There are rumblings that Chinese embargoes on Australian coal are having adverse economic impacts on dependent cities. How far will
08 Jan 2021
Narratives of isolation and self-sufficiency have arisen in attempt to curb the spread of disease. Like the Global Financial Crisis
07 Jan 2021
Unassuming and quiet is sometimes the best way to govern in a pandemic. Southeast Asia’s most overlooked nation, Brunei, has
05 Jan 2021
Southeast Asian nations have had varied responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Singapore shows great competence in handling the outbreak, while
04 Jan 2021
As Australia hopefully emerges from the worst of the 2019/2020 bushfires, it is quickly becoming apparent that the tourism industry
25 Dec 2020
As new national security laws prompt states to reevaluate the future direction of their relationships with Hong Kong, Australia has
18 Dec 2020
The International Court of Justice rendered a judgment last week that may have slipped under the radar at this heady
16 Dec 2020
Although overseas arrivals precipitated Italy’s second lockdown, migrants arriving from Africa and the Middle East are not super spreaders of
26 Nov 2020
The misinformation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that in the area of social media, there is a need for
05 Nov 2020
Bangladesh has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to relocate Rohingya refugees from Cox's Bazaar to Bhasan Char Island in
30 Oct 2020
Kathmandu's sovereignty concerns are genuine and deserve better treatment from India. In reality, like Kathmandu does not want to compromise
22 Oct 2020
UN peacekeeping dangerously overlooks the reality that peace operations have both unintended and negative consequences. Any intervention into the politics
16 Oct 2020
There is nothing sinister in the federal government’s desire to control Australia’s foreign policy. However, proposed legislation to scrutinise “arrangements”
08 Oct 2020
Australian-British academic Kylie Moore-Gilbert remains imprisoned in Iran on charges of espionage after attending an academic conference in Qom two
08 Oct 2020
The Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA) came into effect on the 1st of January 2005, after being signed the
07 Oct 2020
Paris and Beijing want to enjoy the fruits of economic cooperation. However, stark variations in worldview, political standpoints, and global
28 Sep 2020
Human traffickers swiftly adapted to border closures and other measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Meanwhile, victims have
25 Sep 2020
In the latest drama of Brexit, the British government has indicated its plans to revisit the withdrawal agreement it signed
24 Sep 2020
Today, we are witnessing the exciting adoption of gamification by governments in their pursuit of the betterment of communities. However,
17 Sep 2020
Turkey's military expenditure is amongst the world's highest, yet it continues to grow. Strengthening the military's grip over the country's
16 Sep 2020
Having a chair at the UN Human Rights Council is a privilege to many countries, and Australia is the first
09 Sep 2020
The recent coup d’état in Mali exposes the country and the wider region to the burgeoning threat of jihadi terrorists.
04 Sep 2020
Without satellites, military operations are functioning in the blind.  The Outer Space Treaty needs revisiting, and legal boundaries and norms
03 Sep 2020
Russia is well-aware that it is no exception to China’s hegemonic ambitions. To effectively constrain China, the United States and
01 Sep 2020
The world appears to have jumped to Lebanon’s aid after the Beirut blast. However, the actual crisis is much longer
28 Aug 2020
The UK’s lack of progress in trade talks with the US or the EU makes a deal with Australia more
27 Aug 2020
Egypt has, for decades, monopolised the use of the Nile River. With Ethiopia's relentless pursuit of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance
27 Aug 2020
Amidst an increase in COVID-19 cases, Emmanuel Macron and his government face the challenge of rebuilding French economic capacity.  Ensuring
20 Aug 2020
On paper, it appears that China has the means to forcibly reintegrate Taiwan.  However, there remain several very real obstacles
20 Aug 2020
Following the Black Death, a cultural Renaissance allowed for a complete reconstitution of all known aesthetic conventions. When contemplating a
14 Aug 2020
Religiosity and religious diversity are core elements of Singapore’s national identity.  To address societal instability, political dissent, religious extremism, and
13 Aug 2020
As China seeks to dominate the island chains in the Western Pacific, the Taiwan Crisis stands in its way. For
13 Aug 2020
The climate crisis has contributed to every environmental disaster Australia has faced in recent years. The Australian government now faces
12 Aug 2020
Tensions on the India-Nepal border are high, and the pandemic has limited opportunities to work toward a resolution. In this
06 Aug 2020
The decision to suspend Australia’s extradition treaty with Hong Kong is in compliance with international law. It is also a
05 Aug 2020
India and the nations of the South Pacific have long engaged in meaningful bilateral and multilateral relationships. With the re-introduction
31 Jul 2020
With flights grounded and Australia’s borders shut, Qantas has retired its final Boeing 747 several months earlier than initially planned. 
30 Jul 2020
Women outnumber men at every level of education in Myanmar. Yet even with high levels of educational attainment, women in
28 Jul 2020
It is worthwhile to understand the history of political theory in order to understand the role of police. Police are a
23 Jul 2020
Hun Manet looks set to become heir apparent to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. With Cambodia's democratic future hanging in
23 Jul 2020
Europe must assert its influence in the western Balkans to reduce the leverage of regional authoritarian powers. A more active
16 Jul 2020
The challenges presented by COVID-19 will have vast and unprecedented effects on the Indo-Pacific region. The Morrison government must act
09 Jul 2020
Predicting the impending liberalisation of China’s authoritarian regime is a popular pastime among some Western analysts. But it’s foolish to
08 Jul 2020
Australia's 2020 Defence Strategic Update's singular focus on US-China competition fails to account for the greater threat present in South
08 Jul 2020
Development of the Chabahar Port complements the strategic interests of both the US and India. Both states must recalibrate their
08 Jul 2020
The ICC Prosecutor’s decision to investigate war crimes in Palestine has been met with various criticisms, some of which hinge
01 Jul 2020
The Mexican government has implemented a series of different policies to try to eradicate the pervasive power of cartels, and
29 Jun 2020
The fight against the COVID-19 pandemic is shining a green light on women’s leadership skills. With only 20 countries led
25 Jun 2020
Recent Chinese state-owned media have been using colourful headlines and articles to describe Australia. This is a tried and trusted
18 Jun 2020
Pundits often negatively portray China’s current posture towards the liberal international order. A more nuanced, and arguably more apt, characterisation
15 Jun 2020
India and Australia’s relationship has evolved over the years. Once estranged nations now look to one another as key strategic
11 Jun 2020
The debate over Australia’s response to the challenges presented by China often pits pragmatists against proponents of a principles-based approach.
10 Jun 2020
Britain and France cooperate significantly in the domains of defence and diplomacy. As such, Whitehall must ensure that through Brexit,
05 Jun 2020
“One Health” approaches, which combine animal, human, and environmental health, are critical for preventing another devastating pandemic. Though often sidelined,
03 Jun 2020
As the infrastructure of globalisation falters, one thing is clear: newly empowered nation-states are taking the stage. Legacies of debt
28 May 2020
The current pandemic is being increasingly viewed as generating geopolitical swings in an already dynamic Indo-Pacific region. The vast and
27 May 2020
Over the past decade, the European Union has been under increasing pressure from Brexit, refugee issues, and a recession, but
26 May 2020
In the wake of COVID-19, there has been much talk about Australia’s economic reliance on China and the vulnerability this
21 May 2020
Democratic voters have rejected progressive representation in the executive branch once again. The ideological polarisation within the Democratic Party has
21 May 2020
The South China Sea dispute has been at the forefront of East Asian geopolitics. Unlike regional neighbours, the Philippines has
14 May 2020
With his extradition to face espionage charges in the US almost a fait accompli, Julian Assange’s legacy is up for
13 May 2020
The reaction of some in the business community to China’s threats of an economic boycott reflect an acute over-reliance on
13 May 2020
Jair Bolsonaro has shown disregard towards the well-being of the Brazilian people, democratic institutions, the system of checks and balances,
12 May 2020
Despite the US’s historic position as the regional power in Latin America, it has done surprisingly little to maintain this
12 May 2020
As the US grapples with a worsening economic situation stemming from the Coronavirus pandemic,  it should not abandon its commitment
07 May 2020
With abundant natural resources and well-established regional leadership positions, Australia seems poised to emerge from the pandemic as a thriving
07 May 2020
ANZUS was established in geopolitical circumstances that no longer exist. A changing environment doesn’t mean Australia should exit the alliance,
06 May 2020
Uganda’s Coronavirus response measures do not take into account the specific needs of women.  Confusion about lockdown laws, a lack
06 May 2020
Southeast Asian women are putting themselves in highly vulnerable positions for the betterment of their countries. However, despite their sacrifices,
01 May 2020
Consecutive government funding cuts have forced universities to become reliant on international students for funding. As universities restructure in response
30 Apr 2020
Since the end of the US Civil War, concerted efforts have been made to constrain enfranchisement in the name of
29 Apr 2020
The Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh are overcrowded, cramped, and unhygienic. They provide a sobering look into how
24 Apr 2020
Unprecedented stimulus packages and interventions are being deployed to mitigate the effects of the pandemic.  COVID-19 has generated the requisite
24 Apr 2020
The condition created by the rapid spread of the Coronavirus is more than just the disease itself. Rapid spread of
23 Apr 2020
In Argentina, both sides of the political spectrum have struggled with economic stagnation and an increasing debt burden.  After a
17 Apr 2020
The democracies of the developed world are in the grip of a crisis. The price of failure to embrace institutional
16 Apr 2020
Most people have heard about quantum computing and know that it will be revolutionary. Few people, even government representatives, would
16 Apr 2020
Brazil is holding anti-lockdown protests. Deemed by many to be the “Trump of the Tropics,” Brazil’s far-right president Jair Bolsonaro
16 Apr 2020
Widespread lockdowns have disrupted business models and increased chance arrests. Government responses to COVID-19 are affecting organised crime as much
07 Apr 2020
Despite Southeast Asian countries’ reputation for being run by men, the Philippines and Singapore have impressive indicators on gender equality.
03 Apr 2020
 Environmental arguments against coal don’t work. It's time to mobilise a new national interest against Australia’s harmful addiction - the
26 Mar 2020
Pacific populations have been at the forefront of natural disasters and the climate crisis for a long time. Crises are
17 Mar 2020
Several key shortcomings in Iran's defence infrastructure and capability compounded the night Ukrainian Airlines flight 752 was shot down.  While
08 Mar 2020
The “Agreement for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan” is undoubtedly a milestone. However, it brings new uncertainties for women and risks
08 Mar 2020
The United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing 1994 raised awareness of the need to bringing gender equality
08 Mar 2020
The patriarchy and male privilege are dominant features of conventional security policy.  For nuclear disarmament to ever be viable, alternative
08 Mar 2020
Elizabeth Warren’s bid for the Democratic presidential nomination pitted her against three reasonably qualified male candidates.  With an end goal
05 Mar 2020
The coronavirus seems to be keeping the bulk of protesters in Hong Kong indoors. But it seems time is not
28 Feb 2020
Without profound economic change, the United States will lose its claim to global leadership. Only Bernie Sanders can reclaim American
17 Feb 2020
There is no straightforward narrative behind recent series of events in East Germany’s state of Thuringia, which have thrown German
06 Feb 2020
Russia and China have waged a decade-long campaign to dismantle the global human rights order. For the last decade, Western
30 Jan 2020
Why do some nations seem to be concerned with conflicts which have since ended? What is historical amnesia? Why is
23 Jan 2020
The current protests in India against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 have been met with internet suspensions imposed by the
16 Jan 2020
Just days into the Trump presidency’s fourth year, the United States (US) teetered on the brink of war with Iran,
16 Jan 2020
Australia’s stance at December’s Madrid climate conference was damaging and widely condemned. It needs to reconsider its approach before the
09 Jan 2020
In 2019, immigration policies for the Central American corridor were tightened. These stricter public policies, promoted by several of the
09 Jan 2020
Numerous journalists and academics alike have attempted to explain the nature of the current Sino-Russian partnership.  However, returning to an
09 Jan 2020
The purpose of American foreign policy in the world is atrophying and needs to be reinvigorated with a new singular
06 Jan 2020
The India-Australia Civil Nuclear Cooperation has had a history of reservations and assurances. However, fears of a possible stagnation in
30 Dec 2019
It seems convenient for the world to turn a blind eye to China’s mass internment of Uighurs in its northwestern
23 Dec 2019
The Chinese government has gone on the offensive to justify its mass detention of Uyghurs in Xinjiang. It may be
10 Dec 2019
The relationship between energy policy and national security has been overlooked in discussions of Australian renewable energy policy. The Australian government
09 Dec 2019
Since its conception, the sustainable development (SD) concept has been embraced by civil society as an opportunity to salvage the
02 Dec 2019
Australia is a global leader in youth mental health research and treatment development. It should leverage this expertise to ensure
28 Nov 2019
Emphasising the importance of mass in military strategy is crucial for Australia's military success. Australia must shift its focus away
21 Nov 2019
The International Criminal Court’s refusal to investigate crimes in Afghanistan could damage its credibility. On 4 December 2019, the Appeals
20 Nov 2019
Stripping ISIS fighters of citizenship could lead to not only them, but also their families, including women and children, being
19 Nov 2019
A Twitter storm over basketball is representative of the hostility present in the US-China relationship today, where a rapidly changing
14 Nov 2019
Chile was once an oasis of tranquillity in Latin America that has suddenly erupted into an outbreak of people on
08 Nov 2019
The recent killing of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is indeed cause for celebration, however, leadership decapitation does not
05 Nov 2019
Chile’s refusal to host the APEC and COP-25 summits is indicative of wider systemic issues plaguing the Latin American country.
31 Oct 2019
Should foreign ISIS fighters captured in Syria be tried by the ICC, given the refusal of their home states to
22 Oct 2019
Despite the lip-service, to what extent is Australia genuinely concerned for the welfare and prosperity of our “Pacific Family?” In
22 Oct 2019
Once known as the last jewel of the fading British Empire, Hong Kong’s democratic future has been cast into doubt
17 Oct 2019
Malcolm Turnbull’s Cyber Security Strategy was an underfunded and uncertain response to an increasingly complex problem: cyberattack and online interference.
17 Oct 2019
Most Australians do not see opportunity in Thailand beyond the beaches of Phuket. However, we should recognise Thailand as a
08 Oct 2019
When China looks at Hong Kong, political ideology takes a back seat to a Chinese emphasis on unity. When Chinese
01 Oct 2019
Civil military integration in China predated Xi Jinping. Understanding this is crucial for effective management of the Sino-US relationship.  The
01 Oct 2019
China is turning to science and technology diplomacy to win over one of its most distant partners.  It is common
16 Sep 2019
In spite of Australia emphasising its need to engage with the Asia Pacific, its digital engagement with ASEAN should be
16 Sep 2019
Trade between Australia and ASEAN member states is underdeveloped. But there are potential solutions to remedy significant soft trade barriers
10 Sep 2019
Attention should be paid to the recent elections in both Guatemala and Nauru, as they have similar immigration implications for
03 Sep 2019
The long-awaited United Nations Fact Finding Mission’s report on the state of Rohingyas is due in September. It is important
03 Sep 2019
President Bolsonaro’s ignorance to the Amazon fires and rude comments towards President Macron’s wife garnered much unwanted attention at the
26 Aug 2019
The Pacific Islands Forum clearly displayed Australia’s adamant position on not comprising its current coal-intensive interests. However, the focus should
26 Aug 2019
With the looming formation of a new coalition government between old and new forces, the Democratic Republic of the Congo
19 Aug 2019
The Philippines and Australia are both equally vulnerable to cyberattacks and could benefit in engaging in a strategic partnership to
12 Aug 2019
The recently concluded 12th Extra-Ordinary Summit of the African Union in Niamey, Niger formally launched the operational phase of the Africa Continental Free Trade
06 Aug 2019
Brazil’s current administration is turning the country into an “exterminator of the future” and is interfering with emerging data on
23 Jul 2019
Despite the vast opportunities to increase India-Australia maritime cooperation, different traditional instincts about security collaboration and both states’ fear of
23 Jul 2019
Live and rolling media coverage of international crises exemplified the media’s power over policymaking agendas. But with the media landscape
14 Jul 2019
Despite greater unity on the concept of the “free and open Indo-Pacific,” the renewed Quadrilateral Security Dialogue may suffer from
14 Jul 2019
Track Two dialogues, like the recent Asia-Pacific Roundtable (APR), transverse the barriers between official and unofficial and allow participants to
09 Jul 2019
Despite their regional proximity, the political engagement of youth in recent major elections in Indonesia, Thailand and Cambodia has differed
01 Jul 2019
Turkey’s acquisition of the Russian S-400 missile system is seriously challenging its relationship with the United States and its place
21 Jun 2019
India’s masculine prime minister formulates policy based on polarisation and Pakistan-bashing. The result is that protecting cows, constructing temples and
18 Jun 2019
The India-Pakistan cricket clash on 16 June was caught up in the geopolitical tensions between the two nations. Although recognized
10 Jun 2019
In the uncertainty that follows the removal of long-standing leaders, the African Union (AU) can — and should — have
20 May 2019
In the international arena, zero-sum conceptions of security focused on hard power capabilities do not foster a stable environment. States
14 Apr 2019
Voting is now underway in the world’s largest democracy. With many of India’s rural farmers affected by the government’s mismanagement
13 Apr 2019
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro recently returned from state visits to the United States and Israel. In President Trump and Prime
10 Apr 2019
After many years of negotiations and political diversions, the free trade agreement between Australia and Indonesia was signed in March.
02 Apr 2019
Reports of foreign election interference in the US, UK, and EU have brought our own vulnerability under closer examination. But
23 Mar 2019
There is potential for ISIS foreign fighters captured in Syria to be tried by the International Criminal Court. If this
17 Mar 2019
Elements of the global left have contested Western recognition of the opposition leader Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s interim president. However,
09 Mar 2019
The tiny island of Migingo on Lake Victoria has been at the centre of a territorial dispute between Kenya and
04 Mar 2019
In the wake of the Pulwama terror attack, India and Pakistan are once again clashing on the Kashmiri border. The
27 Feb 2019
Sixty-five years ago, the United States conducted the Castle Bravo nuclear test in the Marshall Islands. The blast spread radioactive
17 Feb 2019
Iran’s missile program has received worldwide condemnation. But for a cash-strapped state with outdated military hardware, developing an advanced missile
11 Feb 2019
The Brazilian dam collapse was the second such tragedy in a number of years. The evidence suggests authorities and the
04 Feb 2019
If the crisis in Venezuela escalates to an armed stand-off between forces loyal to President Maduro and opposition factions loyal
29 Jan 2019
India’s ambitions of becoming a superpower threaten more pressing domestic priorities. The funding of foreign policy has always entailed a
29 Jan 2019
By continuing to export arms to Saudi Arabia, Australia is complicit in the regime’s violations of human rights. Australia has
23 Jan 2019
1996 was a year of great tension with China for the Howard Government. On 1 January, the National Archives released
14 Jan 2019
The ramifications of Western military involvement in Syria reveal the complex nature of humanitarian intervention. Some five years ago, reporters
09 Jan 2019
Bolsonaro’s populist policies are endangering civil rights and alienating Brazil from its neighbours. Many have labelled Brazil’s incoming president Jair
09 Jan 2019
Greece faces new challenges throughout the Eastern Mediterranean. As Greece prepares for national elections this year, the pragmatic Syriza government
03 Jan 2019
Although microfinance was hailed as an important step for women’s empowerment, research has yielded conflicting evidence. The assumption that microfinance
18 Dec 2018
The conclusion of COP24 serves as a reminder of the Paris Agreement's acknowledgement of the domestically driven nature of climate
08 Dec 2018
Effective and equitable use of the Mekong River requires the interests of various stakeholders to be delicately balanced. Solar and
02 Dec 2018
As world leaders gather to discuss climate change in Poland, the need to reduce emissions may hamper China’s development of
25 Nov 2018
Balancing relations between China and the United States is arguably Australia's greatest foreign policy challenge in the 21st century. But
23 Nov 2018
Ever since Trump’s election, a Syria for Ukraine swap has been touted as a way of limiting Iran’s footprint in
20 Nov 2018
By considering recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has jeopardised the Indonesia-Australia trade deal. Domestic political pressure
17 Nov 2018
While the 33rd ASEAN Summit made significant progress, more is needed to live up to its theme of resilience and
11 Nov 2018
Diplomatic missteps and muddled priorities threaten to undermine Australia’s efforts to diversify its security partnerships across Asia. A healthy debate
11 Nov 2018
As the ASEAN Summit is held in Singapore, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is undergoing complex changes and yet
30 Oct 2018
With Bolsonaro’s victory, Brazil is set to align closer to Trump, threatening globalism and multilateralism and hindering progress on climate
26 Oct 2018
While Jamal Khashoggi’s death has tarnished the Crown Prince’s reputation, Saudi Arabia’s Future Investment Initiative went ahead. Since his disappearance on
24 Oct 2018
With the recent US air strike on Al-Shabaab, what has been the progress one year on from the Mogadishu bombing?
10 Oct 2018
The Hunter Frigate will better suit Australia’s maritime interests than the Future Submarine Project’s Shortfin Barracuda design. As the Future
26 Sep 2018
Croatia showed how a country with a population smaller than Melbourne could use the FIFA World Cup to get the
18 Sep 2018
With the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade currently conducting a Soft Power Review, what is the potential for cultural
01 Sep 2018
Eight years after the implementation of gender quotas, women continue to struggle for political participation. The controversial and violent elections
25 Aug 2018
The EU has given individuals within the EU greater control of their privacy, with worldwide effect. Australian companies should see
11 Aug 2018
Australia should expand its cooperation with China on climate change by working with China to ensure the Belt and Road
06 Aug 2018
The key difference between Australia and the United States in their treatment of asylum seekers is the available methods of
06 Aug 2018
Young people have much to contribute to Australian policy ahead of the Second National Action Plan on Women, Peace and
29 Jul 2018
The Peru-Australia free trade agreement marks a new turning point in Australia’s broader relationship with the Latin American region. Australia
29 Jun 2018
Last month the Australian government drafted legislation that would require technology companies to cooperate with security agencies in the fight
24 Jun 2018
Despite Trump’s decision to relocate the US embassy and his unfavourable peace plan, Palestinian factions and the Arab world have
24 Jun 2018
While we might like to think that aviation soars above it all, recent examples show how aviation can be politicised. Aviation
10 Jun 2018
As the Syrian civil war is raging on into its seventh year, the power of jihadist groups is declining. As
03 Jun 2018
Russia and NATO control the overwhelming majority of the world’s nuclear weapons and while the likelihood of an all-out war
29 May 2018
The results of Iraq’s parliamentary election have surprised many observers, with a coalition dominated by Muqtada al-Sadr securing the largest
27 May 2018
With the rapid modernisation of China's nuclear forces comes the potential for a change in China's nuclear strategy. What are
21 May 2018
The dismantling of North Korea’s Punggye-ri nuclear testing site started this week. What are the implications of the North Korean
21 May 2018
While on the surface the United Arab Emirates is a well-behaved “little brother” to Saudi Arabia, its recent actions in
21 May 2018
Last week Japan passed legislation aimed at encouraging female participation in politics a year after its initial introduction to the
14 May 2018
When it comes to LGBTI rights in Africa, arguing against Western interventionism is a front for advocating the maintenance of
14 May 2018
The 12 May elections in Timor-Leste may herald greater stability under a majority government, allowing the focus to shift to
14 May 2018
The Chinese Communist Party’s 19th National Congress held in October of last year affirmed China’s authoritarian revival. With Congress having
08 May 2018
The General Election in Malaysia has the opportunity to shift government for the first time in 61 years. Who are
30 Apr 2018
In South and Southeast Asia 15-24 year-olds make up around one fifth of the population. This presents an opportunity for
17 Apr 2018
Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg recently testified that more than 300,000 Australians were touched by the Cambridge Analytica privacy scandal linked to
17 Apr 2018
Colombia's murder rate is at an all-time low but there has been a worrying jump in the number of assassinations
11 Apr 2018
China's activities in Vanuatu may have attracted scrutiny this week but its investment in military artificial intelligence has received less
11 Apr 2018
Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva turned himself in to police on the weekend to begin serving a
03 Apr 2018
In the rapidly changing Indo-Pacific region, Australia could enhance its trilateral engagement with Indonesia, India and Japan by taking advantage
03 Apr 2018
Japanese clothing empire Uniqlo has recently expanded across Australia. So, how did your latest jeans purchase contribute to Japanese soft
26 Mar 2018
The long-awaited gas pipeline connecting Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India is finally underway. What role can Australia play? Last month the construction of the Afghan
23 Mar 2018
Pacifism has been enshrined in Japan's constitution since the end of World War II but a vote this weekend will
19 Mar 2018
In expelling Islamic State-affiliated insurgents and reclaiming the city of Marawi, the Armed Forces of the Philippines  ensured a problem
19 Mar 2018
Following the recent signing of a maritime boundaries treaty by Australia and Timor-Leste, it’s a good time to consider the standing of
13 Mar 2018
The absence of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte from this weekend's ASEAN-Australia summit presents a missed opportunity not just for the
06 Mar 2018
Following any major gun violence incident in America, a debate is sparked between two fundamentally opposed sides that eventually fades away with
06 Mar 2018
Former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is the first woman to win the prestigious Mo Ibrahim Prize in African Leadership. What does
06 Mar 2018
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will not be coming to Sydney for the ASEAN Summit next week in the face of
05 Mar 2018
Think tanks are a source of fascination for scholars and the media. The reality of influencing policymaking is far more prosaic
27 Feb 2018
With Australia on the Human Rights Council, there are some straightforward ways in which the country can use its new
21 Feb 2018
Cyber security is now paramount to national security. It is no surprise, then, that China has incorporated sophisticated psychological, public
13 Feb 2018
A fitness-tracking app is revealing sensitive information about military bases, personnel and supply routes via its global heat map. The
13 Feb 2018
Tehran's 'Girl on Enghelab Street', silently waving her hijab above her unveiled head, has prompted a new round of protest
12 Feb 2018
It's a dual citizenship crisis, but a long way from Canberra. As Sierra Leone prepares for elections on 7 March,
08 Feb 2018
Back from the dead, the Trans-Pacific Partnership has acquired a new lease on life without Washington's involvement. Now there's more
07 Feb 2018
Monday's big drop on Wall Street sent markets into frenzy as panic briefly swept across the world with each passing
05 Feb 2018
As the Australian Parliament opened for 2018 this week, the major parties began another year of spirited and often combative
21 Jan 2018
In the wake of recent calls for an “Africa beyond aid” by Ghana’s president Akufo Addo, it is important to
15 Jan 2018
Peacekeeping operations have long suffered from relying on a male-dominated perspective. But as peacekeeping missions continue to be marred by
09 Jan 2018
Following a soft military coup that led to the resignation of Zimbabwe’s former President, Robert Mugabe, African countries are grappling
03 Jan 2018
Somalia's decades of turmoil, war and anarchy left the country's central government with control over an area extending not much
01 Jan 2018
In 2017, the Trump administration launched its first foray into the complex and hostile situation in Taiwan. But behind the
01 Jan 2018
As people around the world celebrate the beginning of a new year, the Australian government last year promised to bring
17 Dec 2017
Australia's historic relative isolation has failed to protect it from the ambitions of foreign influencers. After the most recent scandal
11 Dec 2017
The high-stakes game of name-calling between the current US administration and the Kim regime has brought back Cold War-era fears
03 Dec 2017
In the wake of IS' recent military defeats public attention has been trained on male combatants and attackers. The role
21 Nov 2017
High-profile scandals have recently pushed gender-based violence into the media spotlight. This Saturday, however, is a reminder that despite progress,
20 Nov 2017
The looming end of Robert Mugabe's rule presents the first real opportunity for change in how Zimbabwean government operates. What
13 Nov 2017
The recent awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize for nuclear non-proliferation work gives hope for progress on nuclear disarmament, but
06 Nov 2017
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Salman had members of the royal family and top government officials arrested this week in his
06 Nov 2017
The Australian marriage equality survey is almost over. So, how has the campaigning compared to others? What took place in
06 Nov 2017
With a more open foreign policy and better reform prospects, Uzbekistan's recently elected President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has many convinced of
31 Oct 2017
Since mid-October, Somalia's fragile calm has been broken by terrorist attacks. Militant group al-Shabaab has been blamed for the massive
23 Oct 2017
Iraqi Kurdistan signalled its desire for independence from Iraq in its recent referendum, but given the international response, was it
23 Oct 2017
China has slowly been increasing and leveraging its soft power as it seeks to present its foreign policy as benign.
11 Oct 2017
Libya's progress towards a full democracy continues to be slow, marked by institutional failures, sectarian politics and a culture of
03 Oct 2017
With Donald Trump's recent threat to "totally destroy" North Korea, Australia needs to closely examine its military obligations under ANZUS,
26 Sep 2017
Nearly a year after the murder of Italian student Giulio Regeni by Egyptian security forces, the Italian government must decide
18 Sep 2017
By focusing on a robust defence partnership, Australia and Japan can find strong security options beyond the US and China.
12 Sep 2017
This month, Colombia's notorious FARC transformed from an armed group to a political party. But in a country where memory runs
12 Sep 2017
The Rohingya crisis in Myanmar continues to escalate and the international community has yet to decide on an effective response.
30 Aug 2017
The Doklam dispute between India and China had all the hallmarks of a strategy focused on public perception. On Tuesday,
23 Aug 2017
Government and business representatives from 45 countries met in Perth this week to try and address slavery and human trafficking.
14 Aug 2017
The public image of the first lady has been important to the Syrian government before and during the war. Who
09 Aug 2017
With the largest trial of suspected coup-plotters now underway, Turkish President Erdogan's post-coup crackdown has given him an apparently firm
07 Aug 2017
A damaging scandal is dogging Shinzo Abe, but is it severe enough to cost him his job? Over the last
31 Jul 2017
China aims to transform its military into a cutting-edge force capable of challenging American military supremacy in Asia by 2020.
30 Jul 2017
Human trafficking is a worldwide problem affecting millions, as recognised this week with the World Day against Trafficking in Persons. Southeast Asia presents
26 Jul 2017
The signing of the Colombian peace agreement in November 2016 brought an end to the longest-running armed conflict in the
19 Jul 2017
After three years, Iraqi government forces have liberated Mosul from ISIS control. As the community begins to heal, it is
12 Jul 2017
This week's shock news about meetings between senior Trump campaign members and a Russian lawyer linked to Putin is likely
11 Jul 2017
The end of RAMSI signifies a new phase in the Solomon Islands' post-conflict journey, one in which reconciliation and development
08 Jul 2017
Australia and the United States continue to strengthen their cybersecurity relationship through initiatives such as the recent Australia-US Cyber Dialogue. However,
01 Jul 2017
In the increasingly unstable Middle East, the one country that has maintained its neutrality has been Oman. But new uncertainty about the sultanate's leadership
01 Jul 2017
Amidst a massive influx of immigrants, Italy is reconsidering its citizenship laws. The move to amend the blood rights principle
23 Jun 2017
The past year has destabilised the business-as-usual trajectory for trade liberalisation: dissatisfaction with established positions is on the rise and politicians must
23 Jun 2017
As the world looks to the United Nations Security Council to help resolve mounting global issues, achieving consensus among the
19 Jun 2017
A multilateral free trade agreement including both China and India would be a boon for trade liberalisation, but tensions between
03 Jun 2017
Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton both tried to use national security issues to put a lid on political scandals. President
23 May 2017
The re-election of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani means the country will continue to benefit from relaxed sanctions. However, further social liberalisation will be
23 May 2017
The recently reinstated US Global Gag Rule will have far-reaching consequences for women's health and gender equality. The ongoing imbalance prevents
23 May 2017
Australia is straddling a defence technology divide between the US and China. Taking better care of homegrown defence industry start-ups may
08 May 2017
Voting in Nepal’s first local government elections in 20 years begins on 14 May. While women’s rights in Nepal have
08 May 2017
Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte's unusually abrasive style, extreme policies and international media visibility have become a source of tension in
30 Apr 2017
The Judgments Project at The Hague has made significant progress following the second meeting of the Special Commission and the development
27 Apr 2017
In his first 100 days, US President Donald Trump has upended US climate policy. Unless he changes course, his administration
08 Apr 2017
The full participation of women in national security is not only an issue of equality: it is vital to Australia’s
08 Apr 2017
The international taboo against chemical weapons is widespread albeit inconsistently applied. The reaction to the recent chemical attack in Syria
03 Apr 2017
For Chinese President Xi Jinping, the only thing worse than gambling in China is travelling elsewhere to gamble. Following Xi’s
03 Apr 2017
As the battle for Mosul continues, Islamic State’s position in the Middle East has weakened. Yet the terrorist organisation's influence is
29 Mar 2017
In a love letter to New Zealand this week, the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang unintentionally exposed flaws in the Australia-China relationship.
27 Mar 2017
Foreign minister Julie Bishop's visit to the Philippines earlier this month has added another question mark to Australia’s bid for
27 Mar 2017
Although the UK has long been on high terrorism alert, the Westminster attack's symbolic location shocked the world. However, the attack
20 Mar 2017
Beijing has recently criticised South Korea for its implementation of the THAAD missile defence system. Can MIKTA, a grouping of
13 Mar 2017
Italy’s historically generous citizenship rights are complicating its attempts to deal with an influx of migrants. With more citizens than
07 Mar 2017
Laser weapons are beginning to be seriously considered in US defence forces planning. After a slow start, they may soon
07 Mar 2017
It is just over a year since the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade adopted a 'Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment'
27 Feb 2017
Trade Minister Steven Ciobo’s recent visit to China confirmed the end of efforts to revive the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The question
19 Feb 2017
The UN Special Rapporteur to Myanmar, Yanghee Lee, has been visiting Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh this week, gathering more
13 Feb 2017
Last weekend's North Korean missile test came after a series of nuclear weapons-related actions and announcements by the new US administration.
03 Feb 2017
Malaysia and Singapore are lauded as successful examples of newly independent states that should be emulated by Third World countries.
23 Jan 2017
While President Robert Mugabe is on annual leave in China, Zimbabwe’s acting president has changed twice. In a one-party state
16 Jan 2017
The election of Donald Trump reflects a crisis of the US state, with the erosion of the legitimacy of political
14 Jan 2017
Foreign ministers from the Association of South East Asian Nations met in Yangon late last year to discuss Myanmar’s Rohingya
09 Jan 2017
Zimbabwe’s contemporary foreign policy has been coloured by anti-imperialist proclamations that the country will never be a colony again. These
03 Jan 2017
Autonomous technologies are rapidly advancing in multiple industries; from transport to manufacturing, artificial intelligence is gaining steam. Military AI, however,
03 Jan 2017
While China seeks stability on its periphery, North Korea continues to upset regional security with domestic problems and a nuclear
23 Dec 2015
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has forged a new foreign policy approach for Indonesia since assuming office in October 2014. The
18 Dec 2015
This week trade ministers from across the globe came together for the 10th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO)
18 Dec 2015
In September 2009, an article from the Economist detailed a significant lack of counterinsurgency tactics in the original Star Wars sci-fi blockbusters. The
13 Dec 2015
It is a historic and game changing moment for the global youth peacebuilding movement: on 9 December 2015, the United Nations Security Council
09 Dec 2015
Central Asia does not fit comfortably in Europe or the Middle East and can present a challenge for Australian policymakers.
03 Dec 2015
The recent downing of a Russian jet by the Turkish armed forces has again highlighted Turkey’s chaotic domestic situation. The
02 Dec 2015
Indonesia will be severely impacted by climate change should carbon emissions continue at present day levels. The disastrous fires across
21 Sep 2015
It was announced during a meeting of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in Singapore last weekend, that 20 more states
10 Sep 2015
Turkey has entered the air campaign in Syria, but there are real doubts about its true target: ISIS or the
07 Sep 2015
The misguided focus on Boko Haram as a jihadist terrorist group could prevent Nigeria from addressing the broader socio-economic environment within which it
25 Aug 2015
Ben Dickson was a Euan Crone Asian Awareness Scholarship 2014 recipient. Applications for 2015 are now open until Friday 4
06 Aug 2015
Turkey’s decision to join the United States led war against IS will bring collateral damage that will further complicate the
27 Jul 2015
In times of disaster, adoptive parents are more likely than ever to open their hearts and their homes to displaced
27 Jul 2015
2015 was a record year for forcibly displaced humans. Today there are almost 60 million people seeking a new home,
22 Jul 2015
The one year anniversary of the downing of MH17 shows steady progress has been made in the fight for justice. However
21 Jul 2015
With an conservatively estimated cost of $US40 billion, Chinese President Xi Jinping has unveiled the PRC’s plans for a New Silk
15 Jul 2015
Pessimism around the potential outcome of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris this year is beginning to emerge,
08 Jul 2015
Once the 45 day period for forming a new government begins in Turkey, the make up of the government that forms could
06 Jul 2015
Has Australia’s priority push to secure the ‘trade trifecta’ – trade agreements with South Korea, Japan and China - come
01 Jul 2015
As the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election rolls around, Pope Francis is planting seeds of change in the nation’s politically polarised
25 Jun 2015
Saudi Arabia’s recent courtship with Russia and Israel should be understood as a failure of the United States government to
25 Jun 2015
The Sudanese President's escape from South Africa is a blow to the International Criminal Court. The missed opportunity to arrest
18 Jun 2015
In light of the recent Regional Summit on Countering Violent Extremism in Sydney it's time that Australia learn the lessons of
03 Jun 2015
Bougainville's referendum presents an excellent opportunity for the island to instil a culture of accountability and good governance at the ground
20 May 2015
We need a second Green Revolution to build upon and redress the imbalances of the first. The original Green Revolution
18 May 2015
The need for recognition and enforcement of foreign civil and commercial judgments in trade. As the Hague Conference on Private
12 May 2015
With federal budgets cuts expected tonight (12 May 2015), it is worth considering how foreign aid cuts may undermine gender
28 Apr 2015
Obama shies away from rigid alliances in favour of a compartmentalised approach to the Middle East. On June 4, 2009,
28 Apr 2015
Lack of cooperation between the European Union and the Kremlin-dominated Eurasian Economic Union reflects a widening divergence in their political
19 Apr 2015
The attack on Garissa University College in early April marks a shift towards increasing extremism and more stringent government legislation.
14 Apr 2015
This week marked the first anniversary of the kidnapping of 219 schoolgirls by the terrorist group Boko Haram. There is
09 Apr 2015
The need for a united Yemen and an international push for peace. Yemen is not at war. Many broadcasts and
30 Mar 2015
Australian sport has had a major international boost this year, with historic wins in the Asia Cup and the Cricket
18 Mar 2015
In the wake of Cyclone Pam’s devastation in Vanuatu, it is increasingly apparent that Disaster Risk Reduction will become crucial to mitigate
13 Mar 2015
As the premier intergovernmental institution for the maintenance of global peace and security, the UN Security Council (UNSC) is commonly
05 Mar 2015
As International Women’s Day on 8 March 2015 approaches, child marriage remains one of the greatest challenges facing female equality.
24 Feb 2015
Malaysia is due to reach high-income nation status by 2020. Unfortunately it will continue to have third-world politics for some
23 Feb 2015
The concept of legitimate authority is becoming increasingly pertinent in a world characterised by non-state entities, including international organisations, cyber actors and
16 Feb 2015
Indonesia’s President Jokowi faces a challenging balancing act in his effort to appease rival factions. Despite Australian politics being rather
15 Feb 2015
Despite women being active promoters of peace in their communities during times of war, they are alarmingly underrepresented in the
01 Feb 2015
The presence and perseverance of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia demonstrate Cambodia’s resilience and desire for post-conflict justice.
31 Jan 2015
150 years ago today, the US Congress passed the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery and involuntary servitude. Hidden behind closed doors, the abuse of
27 Jan 2015
Deepening ties between Australia and Japan do not operate in a vacuum. They instead influence relationships in the region particularly with
23 Jan 2015
A fundamental factor impeding South Asian regional cooperation is the visceral animosity between India and Pakistan. There is significant potential
17 Jan 2015
2015 brings the 70th anniversary of Australia’s first attempt to recognise Indonesia. Among the least known actions in Australia's diplomatic
14 Jan 2015
In a week dominated by news about the attack against Charlie Hebdo by three suspected Islamist militants, it is argued that
12 Jan 2015
The interaction between the secular and religious realms in Turkey and Israel both enriches and undermines the health of their
08 Jan 2015
Australian brands are ascendant in China, but this newfound success comes with a range of challenges. Australian products carry a
30 Dec 2014
How has Sweden's decision and Britain's debate on recognising Palestine affected Israel-Palestine relations?  Newly elected Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfvan said
29 Dec 2014
The sixth International Workshop on the South China Sea provided new insights into confidence building measures that may influence the nature
23 Dec 2014
The Federal Government’s 20 Year Australian Antarctic Strategic Plan does not feature the long-term vision required for a 20-year strategy.
18 Dec 2014
A forgotten crisis lurks in the Central African Republic where minimal exposure and delayed action has allowed conflict to escalate. 
18 Dec 2014
The 2013 Australian Defence White Paper contains a range of limitations.  The 2013 Australian Defence White Paper makes the following
03 Nov 2014
When South Australia’s new governor, Hieu Van Le, first arrived in Australia aboard a small fishing boat in 1977, he
25 Oct 2014
As the standoff between Kiev and pro-Russian rebels continues in light of Russia’s annexation of Crimea, the world remains transfixed
24 Oct 2014
One of the greatest challenges for the global anti human trafficking initiative is the lack of effective collaboration and information sharing
13 Oct 2014
Having declared its intention to join the fight against the Islamic State, now advancing in its skirts, Turkey is stalling
08 Oct 2014
China and India have a history of conflict. The recent bi-lateral visit does not change the fact that both India
29 Sep 2014
On the sidelines on the UN General Assembly meetings that commenced Wednesday 24 September, MIKTA states convene once again to
27 Sep 2014
55% of Scots have decided that Scotland should remain part of the United Kingdom. So is this the end of
12 Sep 2014
As the initial shock of the Islamic State (IS) dissipates, Joshua Brown provides insight on where and how these events came to
28 Aug 2014
Madeleine Albright’s granddaughter once asked her why people thought she was special by being Secretary of State; she believed that
04 Aug 2014
Unlike his predecessor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been paying increased attention to India’s neighbour Bhutan which, despite not being a
11 Jul 2014
Rather than making them go away, China’s crackdown on fringe religious groups like Eastern Lightning is making them more determined.
10 Jul 2014
As we await official results of yesterday’s Indonesian election, it is worth reflecting on whether Australia is likely to share the
09 Jul 2014
As Indonesians go to the poll today some commentators have extensively criticised presidential candidate Prabowo Subianato, even comparing him to
30 Jun 2014
Mounting tensions between Vietnam and China show that the South China Sea continues to be a security hotspot following China’s renewed assertiveness
24 Jun 2014
Over the long-term the benefits for Australia developing an offensive cyber capability outweigh the costs. Australia should develop the capacity
13 Jun 2014
30 years after the anti-Sikh riots of 1984 communal violence continues to be an issue in India. This week marks the
11 Jun 2014
As the most-watched tournament in the world begins, domestic tensions have cast doubts on whether Brazil will be able to stage a peaceful
04 Jun 2014
Around Australia we are commemorating the Centenary of Anzac, but on June 4 we will also be commemorating the International
23 May 2014
In the context of the global financial crisis central banks have successfully taken on larger responsibilities deploying unconventional tools to
10 Apr 2014
In a world order consumed by ever-changing security issues, the role of securitisation has taken a dangerous form. Political actors
10 Apr 2014
International relations has long been part of China’s higher education system. Hiding this part of history has proved detrimental to
28 Mar 2014
The Australia-Indonesia relationship has seen a number of incredible developments over the past five months. The Edward Snowden leaks shattered
13 Mar 2014
Lasting security and stability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are under threat due to resource exploitation. Long-term peace
07 Feb 2014
Scotland’s independence referendum—pursued by the political elite rather than driven by a grassroots movement—raises questions about the viability of secession.
06 Feb 2014
The nuclear security nexus between India and Pakistan remains treacherous. Given the inapplicability of Mutual Assured Destruction concepts, an alternative
01 Feb 2014
Increasingly, armed conflict in the 21st century is characterised by the involvement of private military and security companies—which undermine existing