Australia
Jerusalem, the rules-based order and deal-making
The Albanese government’s reversal of its predecessor’s decision to formally recognise West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel accords with Australia’s sharpening interest in…
Where the chips fall: in containing China, the US can leave Australia out
Earlier this month, Australia’s security ally, the United States, launched a policy of containment towards China, Australia’s largest trading partner and the country that has…
Waiting for the thaw: the Pacific hopeful on Australia-China reset
This month’s call by China’s ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, for a reset in Beijing and Canberra’s frosty relations has raised hopes in the island countries of the Pacific,…
Supporting democracy without fighting autocracies
The new US National Security Strategy, released last week, reaffirmed that the Biden administration sees competition with autocracies as its top challenge. This message has…
Found in translation: Australia and China’s shared history
Book review: Happy Together: Bridging the Australia–China Divide by David Walker and Li Yao, with Karen Walker (Melbourne University Press, 2022)
In rural towns…
Sustainable catch: better Indonesia-Australia cooperation on fishing
This month, Indonesia and Australia signed an agreement on combatting illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. This is not only a significant step for both countries in…
Australia and Pacific Islands: Polls apart?
There’s lots of attention given to China pushing into the Pacific and ramping up security engagement, but Beijing’s actions are not the top issue for many in the Pacific Islands…
A new aid strategy: purpose, priorities, and plumbing
For just the third time in almost four decades, a Labor government will bring down a new strategy to guide Australia’s international development efforts. Speaking at the United…
Economic diplomacy: Time for transparency on aid reform
Coming to the aid
Foreign Minister Penny Wong appears to have raised the stakes in the debate over a development finance institution (DFI) which has featured here on The…
Diversity and inclusion: Australia’s global aim to walk the talk
The concept of “Diversity and Inclusion” has now become a mainstay to measure organisational performance. This is no less true for government agencies than it is for the corporate…