The relationship between populism and conspiracy theories highlights how populist movements often incorporate conspiracy theories to explain perceived injustices by elites against the people. This dynamic is more prevalent in environments where conspiracy theories are less stigmatized, influencing populist rhetoric and strategies significantly across different global contexts.

India has been grappling with several contradictions under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP rule since 2014, often characterised by cultural prioritisation over secular liberalism, rising nationalism, and Hindu-first ideologies. Despite these challenges and decreased political inclusivity, Modi has retained significant popularity and power.

Whether or not Israel claims responsibility for the death of Ismail Haniyeh, his assassination abroad may not have improved Israel’s prospects at home. Bringing the war to a conclusion will require a credible correlation of ends and means.

With the recent downfall of the longest-serving prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, following domestic political unrest, Bangladesh is anticipated to reassert its role as a small state leader in Indo-Pacific security. For Indo-Pacific partners, aligning with the security interests of Bangladesh will help promote the overall security of the country, and this can best be met by observing domestic circumstances.

In Ghana, the recent push for a gender equality bill is a crucial step toward enhancing women's political representation. However, its effectiveness hinges on overcoming entrenched gender biases and ensuring robust implementation to truly transform the political landscape. 

There is a critical need for gender-inclusive strategies in disaster resilience, as illustrated by the aftermath of Australia’s Black Summer Bushfires 2019-2020. Japan's experiences highlight the role of Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) for meeting emergency response needs, particularly in addressing the needs of women, who face heightened risks and challenges during crises.

The question of how South Africa regulates its multiple Private Military and Security Companies (PMSCs) and how effective that regulation is has recently come into question with the discovery of illegal military training camps Mpumalanga. Bolstering the efficiency of inter-agency cooperation to ensure such activities stay within the law has become a new and urgent requirement.

President Joe Biden’s late withdrawal from the election has given Democratic nominee Kamala Harris limited time to impact the election. There are some crucial numbers in key areas, however, that give her a fighting chance.

This week in Australian foreign affairs: Marles and Wong in Annapolis for AUSMIN 2024 talks; Marles travels to Canada for Defence talks with counterpart; Wong travels to Fiji for Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting; Wong in Tokyo for Quad Ministers Meeting; Australia joins US-led Landsat Next Satellite program, and more.

Base Towns investigates the emergence of anti-US military movements across East Asia. The author's study highlights significant local differences, offering new insights into the dynamics of base politics and social movements.

The first Pacific Banking Forum in July 2024 sought to enhance banking relationships in the Pacific but faced challenges, notably excluding Chinese participants. Efforts to reduce reliance on Chinese banking influence in the region are complicated by the significant economic ties between Pacific Island Countries (PICs) and China, highlighting the strategic and economic dilemmas inherent in shaping regional banking policies.