Asia
The message Japan sends by backing Ukraine
Since the Russian invasion in 2022, Japan has emerged as a steadfast supporter of Ukraine. The notoriously immigration-resistant Japan has so far accepted 2,500 Ukrainian refugees…
The Philippines seeks out old friends and new
The failure of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to secure a substantive joint statement to address South China Sea disputes at last year’s leaders’ summit and the more…
Australia-Vietnam: Middle powers alike
On 7 March, Australia and Vietnam elevated their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership (CSP), the highest level in Hanoi’s diplomatic classification. This places…
Australia confronts an Indonesian nickel glut
Australia’s undercooked economic relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations was naturally a focal point of discussion during the ASEAN–Australia Special Summit…
Green transition: Supercharging a sustainable future for the Asia‑Pacific
The Asia-Pacific region, a beacon of economic growth, is projected to contribute an astonishing 60% to global GDP growth by 2024. At the heart of this region’s transformation is…
Economic diplomacy: Politics rules in Korean envoy row
Prosecutorial democracy
South Korea has a curious habit of investigating, often jailing, and then pardoning former presidents since it embraced two-party democracy with…
New Zealand and ASEAN: Focusing on what’s right under its nose
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is new in the job, yet he took time away to fly across the Tasman earlier this month and meet the various leaders of the Association…
China's grey-zone provocations: Time to reciprocate
It’s time to send a signal to Beijing that a crisis is approaching. China’s use of grey zone tactics is intensifying. This worsening trend line has been evident for several years…
China’s dominance over critical minerals poses an unacceptable risk
Critical minerals are the world's building blocks for emerging and future technologies. They are essential to manufacturing, clean energy production, semiconductor production, and…
Why Japan’s de‑risking response to China is incoherent
While “de-risking” has only recently entered the strategic vocabulary of Western policymakers, Japan has sought to de-risk its economy from China for well over ten years. Yet, the…