Indonesia’s election debates: there’s substance in the style
The televised debates bring the campaign to a country that has only been practising democracy for 20 years.
Pulwama attack: more questions than answers
India’s retaliation against Pakistan is predictable, and not at all effective in tackling sources of Kashmir’s strife.
One casualty of Jolo bombing: Indonesian-Philippine trust
The eagerness to blame Indonesians for the cathedral attack sets back regional cooperation, exactly when most needed.
Mark Zuckerberg and the revolt of the public
The social media network is a battleground in a sociopolitical conflict, prompting fractures and heresies within elites.
The legacy of nationalism in Korea
The seeds sown 100 years ago have resulted in the freedoms enjoyed in South Korea by over 50 million people today.
A rising China and the future of the “Blue Pacific”
China’s growing economic and political strength globally brings both challenges and opportunities for the Pacific.
In the Philippines, activists increasingly face a “living hell”
Victims of “red tagging,” or the false branding of activists as communist insurgents, can be fatal in the Philippines.
Spats in the straits between Malaysia and Singapore
The diplomatic tit-for-tat between the two neighbours for the territorial claim of the waterway has a long history.
The curious case of aid concentration in Papua New Guinea
The extreme concentration of aid from Australia to PNG stands out. It may be time for others to get involved.
Economic diplomacy: trade ground shifts despite US-China row
Alarm is growing the WTO’s dispute settlement mechanism may soon suffer the same credibility loss as its deal-making.
The barely-noticed momentous change to Australian foreign policy
A seemingly minor move on Venezuela has potential ramifications for every country Australia has diplomatic ties with.
Unrest in India as it prepares for the world’s biggest election
Unemployment woes, unhappy farmers, and new faces in the game see Modi turn on his populist charm in an attempt to woo.
The long tail of the al-Araibi case
A case where Bahrain didn’t need to win to send a chill of horror up the spines of other dissidents watching on.
Pacific Links: logging paradox, erupted islands, more
Links and stories from the Pacific Islands region.
Doctors help the moral case for border security
The medical evacuation bill is a really a debate on the limits of political discretion.
Film review: They Shall Not Grow Old
Peter Jackson has reclaimed the voices of veterans, and with technical prowess offered a glimpse of the battlefield.
A Tobin tax: an idea whose time has come for Indonesia
How to make portfolio flows “sticky” and avoid short-term swings in foreign sentiment sees an old idea gain new life.
Nepal’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission limps on
A culture of impunity has proved stubborn and entrenched.
Australia, BRI backlash should be a warning on loans
The rush to loan-financed infrastructure is a geopolitical play, but does not consider the wellbeing of the recipients.
Singapore: data leaks in a “Smart Nation”
Robust processes and security apparatus are needed before embracing the collection of vast amounts of sensitive data.
Indonesia’s role in multilateral development banks
The path to leadership is littered with old players and the status quo, not economic diversity.
The fight to preserve the Khon Pi Luang rapids
China is pushing to expand its navigation of the Mekong River, raising tricky questions of sovereignty and environment.
China may only seek a limited naval role in the Indian Ocean
Many assume that China intends to replace American predominance in the Indian Ocean. But sea control seems unrealistic.
Hong Kong: when rich dreams interrupt fortunate life
Heritage and culture is cast aside in a society where it is sinful to block another person’s pathway to wealth.
Thailand: the Princess vs the General
It’s very unusual for key players from the country’s two most powerful institutions to publicly showcase divisions.
Blocking asylum, by sea and air
Sometimes the dangers for refugees in transit are presented by the very people from whom they seek protection.
Is Australia wise to pick sides in US-China trade war?
Reported comments by Australia’s ambassador to the US warning Trump against a “pyrrhic” win with China seem out of step.
Of “foolish wars, politics … ridiculous partisan investigations”
A Democrat-controlled House and a feisty Republican senate auger meaningful congressional oversight of foreign affairs.
Russian arms flood Southeast Asia
New data shows Russian power not only nuclear weapons. Asian states are being brought into Moscow’s sphere of influence.
Inflated counts of civilian casualties collateral of modern war
Complex modern conflict makes identifying the cause of the war dead impossible. This seems to have eluded some lobbies.
The Vietnamese venue will shape the second Trump-Kim summit
Trump and Kim Jong-un will meet in Vietnam, a backdrop with history for the US and promise for North Korea.
Yes, Hillary could have led the world to war with Kim Jong-un
A hoary “what if”, but Trump has helped calm Korean peninsula dangers in a way that may have eluded his 2016 rival.
China cabinet: Huang Xiangmo’s visa strife, and outlook downbeats
Is Australia stepping up pushback against Beijing? And why is China worried about economic bad views?
Facebook’s first 15 years and lessons for diplomacy
Diplomacy has not found facebook to be an easy or effective way to improve engagement across borders.
Aid links: Ebola strikes, donations drop, and Gates debates
The case for a woman to lead the World Bank, the poverty paradox, and stories from the aid and development sector.
Hopes and tempered promises for the Bangsamoro Organic Law
Fatal bombings just few days after the historic vote demonstrated that peacebuilding in the region is contentious.
Through the Taliban’s eyes: peace prospects in Afghanistan
Insights gleaned from Taliban documents suggest little chance of an escape from strife.
Film Review: Brexit – the Uncivil War
A compelling political thriller, dabbling in both sides of the Brexit divide, if ultimately settling on Remain.
Not only China, Tsai Ing-wen must master the politics of pork
The agricultural lobby is making trouble for Taiwan’s president, yet tackling vested interests might be key to winning.
Getting a better outcome from the second Trump-Kim summit
Why not start by demanding North Korea finally give us a list or inventory of its weapons?
Will a sugar tax solve Southeast Asia’s growing diabetes problem?
Southeast Asia now has an estimated 96 million people suffering from Type II diabetes, a fifth of all cases worldwide.
A blast from North Korean past
Pyongyang’s recent proposal of Korean reunification has parallels in history – to periods it has felt confident.
Giving Australia a sporting chance
Diplomacy in the Pacific should exploit one of Australia’s special attributes – the love of competition.
US, Taliban, Afghanistan peace talks: timing is critical
Should the US agree to a full pull-out of its troops, Afghanistan may fall into the chaos of the past.
WhatsApp targets fake news in lead-up to Indonesian elections
In an effort to curb misinformation, WhatsApp will limit message forwards. Could this affect Indonesia’s elections?
Malaysia and China: breaking up is hard to do
Mahathir’s promise to scrap or renegotiate “unequal” infrastructure deals with Beijing – a plan easier said than done.
Economic diplomacy: FTAs, shrinking China, and ecommerce
Cabinet papers from the Howard government offer a glimpse into Australia’s first steps toward bilateral trade deals.
Don’t “crush” Abu Sayyaf perpetrators, debrief them
Vital information is lost when the Philippines military is encouraged to kill rather than arrest the perpetrators.
Pacific collateral from the INF Treaty collapse
Leaving the treaty would allow the US to quickly build up regional arsenal of new nuclear weapons to challenge China.
Pacific links: APEC rebuke, raised eyebrows, and more
Links and stories from the Pacific Islands region.