Asia
Come what may, North Korea perseveres
Less than two months since North Korea declared victory over Covid-19, the country is again sending missiles flying – with one salvo passing over Japan for the first time…
Maldives: the legacy of Islamic State
From 2014 to 2018, more people departed the Maldives to join with Islamic State than from any other country. In total, this figure is estimated at 250 men and women from a…
A free trade zone for Timor-Leste and Indonesia
In July, Indonesian President Joko Widodo received President José Ramos-Horta for the first state visit of the Timor-Leste leader’s term. Both made proposals to deepen economic…
Hot button issue: North Korea’s bold new nuclear stance
In fewer than ten days, North Korea has fired a series of five missile launches, heightening tensions in the region. Although missile tests and threats coming from North Korea are…
Philippines’ subs: the AUKUS inspiration
The Philippines was a lonely voice in Southeast Asia expressing support for Australia’s aspiration to obtain nuclear-powered submarines under the “AUKUS” arrangement with the…
Building a better development finance institution: Australia’s opportunity
Last week, Roland Rajah and Jenny Gordon wrote illuminating pieces on the pros and cons of Australia setting up its own development finance institution, or DFI. The debate comes…
Greater Sunrise: Can Timor-Leste play the “China card”?
Ahead of a visit to Australia last month, Timor-Leste’s President Jose Ramos Horta sought to play the China card, raising the possibility of asking Beijing to finance the Greater…
Water scarcity challenges China’s development model
Southern China’s longest drought on record is the latest manifestation of a slow-burning but increasingly severe water crisis. Left unchecked, it has the potential to act as a…
Myanmar: a desperate junta trying, and failing, to shore up its legitimacy
On Thursday, after almost 20 months in detention, a military court in Myanmar sentenced Australian academic and economist Sean Turnell to three years in jail for violating the…
Buying the wrong submarine
Nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) are technically incredible. They are akin to the Australian Navy’s conventionally powered Collins Class submarines but much faster, much…