The United States (US) has a strong institutional presence among Pacific Island Countries, dating back many years. However, while new promises of engagement with the region are many, the search for implementation is still ongoing. 

Despite the growth in numbers, which may require a name change, BRICS looks poised to grow in importance. How the members organise to provide public goods, however, will define it legacy. 

Foreign policy has yet to feature significantly in New Zealand’s elections despite its obvious implications for national security and development. Internationally, observers are looking for the elections will mean for policy towards AUKUS, the Ukraine War, and crucially climate change.

The West’s complacency and enabling of non-alignment 2.0, as much as embodying optimism for India’s convergence with the West, ignores the possibility of an Indo-Sino-Russian alliance. In seeking greater assurances, the West must begin matching Indian rhetoric with its deeds.

With a political climate easily disposed to pragmatic solutions to global trade, Australia is a leading nation on free trade agreements (FTAs). A more holistic strategy, however, is required to avoid the detriments of geopolitics and build resilient trade agreements with the European Union (EU) and further diversify supply chains. 

Europe made great progress towards a “whole and free” continent during the 35 years until 2007/08, when a cascade of crises occurred, culminating in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.  Timothy Garten Ash argues that a Ukraine victory would offer the opportunity to renew efforts to create a “whole and free” Europe.  

The surge in Turkish drone assaults on Kurdistani segments in Iraq and Syria, accompanied by a resounding silence from the very states and global media that are swift to address actions elsewhere, underscores a perplexing and concerning dynamic. Where is the global outcry? 

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.