This week in Australian foreign affairs: Albanese addresses ALP National Conference on AUKUS, Marles in Malaysia and the Philippines, Ukraine Independence Day, Wong in Vietnam, and more.

The Ukrainian counteroffensive has been active since June 2023, but its success has been marginal so far with around 11 settlements recaptured from Russian control. Effectively, the war is a stalemate, the frontlines haven't moved, and casualties on both sides are rising. 

The lessons of the past should not be so easily forgotten, particularly when that history involves the unprecedented and systematic slaughter of civilians. Recent travels over Germany and Russia, and the threat of authoritarian creep in countries such as the United States, provide a devastating reminder of what can happen if tyranny is allowed to prevail. 

The upcoming BRICS gathering illustrates that a divergence of global political and economic values is occurring. The future demise of the global rules based order is not far off.

The past week can be seen as something of a small success for Putin. Sanctions gaps are opening, inflation in the West is increasing, and Donald Trump’s prospects for the Presidency remain challenging for Biden.

China's incursions into Indonesia's Exclusive Economic Zone have underscored the threat to the country's interests. While a quiet military modernisation has been ongoing, Indonesia would be served by joining India and Australia in a trilateral defence agreement.  

This week in Australian foreign affairs: Albanese off to Wellington to meet with Hipkins, AUSMIN next week in Brisbane, Wong meets with Wang Yi on ASEAN summit sidelines, 9th anniversary of downing of MH17, and more.

From a difficult accession process to the full integration into the Schengen area and the Eurozone, ten years into its EU membership Croatia has been a “good EU pupil” and an example for EU candidates to follow. However, challenges remain in reaching European standards, particularly regarding administrative reforms and standards of living.

Recent rulings by the Nepalese Supreme Court demonstrate the increasingly progressive society for sexual minorities in the high mountain country. While the current government continues to fight these orders, Nepal has quietly become known as a friendly destination for non-binary genders. 

This week in Australian foreign affairs: Russia's embassy lease cancelled, Albanese meets with PIF SG, Joint Declaration Against Trade-Related Economic Coercion by 5 Eyes + Japan, and Conroy addresses AIDN on Defence industry in a post-DSR world.

A sea change in the foreign policy of Türkiye looks poised to occur, with a chance for rapprochement between Ankara and Western capitals. This is likely to spell trouble for Russia and China, particularly as competition for influence in Central Asia looms large on the agenda of the government.