By investing in key UN institutional mechanisms, Australia can contribute to upholding the rules-based order of the law of the sea and enhancing the ecological security of our oceans, leading to a more sustainable and secure Indo-Pacific region.

A key question thrown up by President Trump’s recent dealings with Ukraine is “where do we go from here for European security?” The American abandonment of Ukraine should not be surprising. This war had to be brought to a close—although Trump’s actions have been undiplomatic and bordering on bizarre. Are there ideas from the late 1980s and early 90s that can be considered today? 

Europe faces an undeniable shift in its security landscape. While NATO remains crucial, increasing European defence spending and calls for greater autonomy from significant EU leaders signal a shift toward a more self-sufficient security framework. The EU has evolved from an economic organisation at its conception into a political organisation, it could evolve again to include a military organisation.

India may be a rising power, but its smaller neighbours outperform it on a range of indicators.   

The Los Angeles Wildfires, like similar events in other countries, including Greece, reveal the urgency of immediate action to reduce environmental damage and stop political games for electoral purposes.

Australian beef and lamb are pivotal to Japan’s growing Muslim-friendly tourism industry, driven by the increasing demand for halal-certified products. While Ramadan and Eid are peak seasons for halal businesses in Muslim-majority countries, Japan’s unique position highlights the intersection of global food cultures, trade, and tourism, particularly within Tokyo’s evolving hospitality scene.

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.

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

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.

This week in Australian foreign affairs: Marles visits new US Defense Secretary Hegseth in Washington D.C.; Wong announces new sanctions against Russian cyber entity and individuals; Marles responds to questions on South China Sea incident, and more.