The Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA) and the Australian Branch of the International Law Association (ILA (AB)) are pleased to present the Peter Nygh […]

This week in Australian foreign affairs: Government budget supports increased funds for foreign policy ; further sanctions against Iranian senior officials; Wong on UN General Assembly Resolution for Palestinian membership; ongoing committement for Ukrainian duty-free access to Australian goods, and more.

French and German credibility has reached new lows on the Ukraine issue, risking European security as each seeks to sure up political and geopolitical influence. Solidarity is weak, and arms corporations have proven influential in national decisions for EU integration on security matters. 

South Africa is moving away from the party that brought Nelson Mandela to power, and the nation beyond Apartheid. For many, however, the future looks bleak, even with a potential change in leader.

Today, Pacific Island nations are among the most vulnerable countries to climate change, and Pacific communities are subsequently on the frontlines of the climate crisis. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged this fact when he recently stated that “we recognise the climate crisis is the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security, and wellbeing of people in the Pacific.”

Democratic states have a lot to consider with the prospect of a potential second Trump administration in their calculations for foreign and strategic relations. The Biden administration's orthodox foreign policy is stability focused, but Trump's unpredictability may be more useful for dealing with China and Russia. 

This week in Australian foreign affairs: Japan considered for AUKUS Pillar II; the Australia-Japan-Philippines-United States Maritime Cooperative Activity; special adviser announced to investigate Israel Defense Forces strikes; Julie Bishop to be United Nations Special Envoy on Myanmar, and more.

In the shadow of the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East it is challenging to imagine a farewell to wars. Hans Blix’s latest book surveys modern international relations, and with the critical mind of a lawyer and diplomatic practitioner, demonstrates how, over the last two centuries, the international system has accepted growing constraints on interstate use of force.   

In the face of increased security threats, Nordic countries turn once again to total or defence models. Yet rebuilding these whole-of-society structures comes with structural as well as political and social challenges that will take both time and resources to overcome. 

Significant changes in Finland have been made to national security with a stronger focus on the hard power attributes of deterrence. This has occurred alongside the strategic minimization of soft power and diplomacy in its engagement with Russia amid the War in Ukraine.  

India's diplomatic, economic, and cultural engagements with Africa have grown substantially in the last three decades, though the drivers of the country's Africa policy have remained the same. African support will be needed to fuel India's economy and consolidate its position as a leading power in the Global South.