President Donald Trump’s tariffs on foreign-made movies alluded to culture as a soft power resource and highlighted films’ role—Hollywood being a yardstick—in the global competition for soft power. Whether you are a Star Wars fanatic, or an imitator of Kung Fu moves, soft power spreads its tentacles everywhere. 

One of the most notable aspects of the recent Chinese Navy’s circumnavigation of Australia was the diversity of interpretation by Australian observers. This piece argues that this confusion is largely the result of grey zone activities, which may be overcome by recasting them as ICAD activities. 

As Donald Trump’s new tariffs threaten to destabilise Southeast Asia’s economies, Indonesia faces a critical choice between quiet diplomacy and bold global leadership. By following China’s example and taking its case to the UN, Jakarta can defend not only its economy but the very principles of international trade justice.