Global Issues
Overcoming the deliberate legal ambiguity adopted by China’s coast guard
While laws should provide clarity and transparency, China’s recent orders regarding maritime jurisdiction appear to be deliberately based on ambiguity and uncertainty. This has…
Byte-sized diplomacy: Should Australia ban TikTok?
This is the first edition of “Byte-sized diplomacy” as a new column featuring on The Interpreter. I spent much of my 17-year government career looking at how emerging threats and…
The carbon sinks of Southeast Asia are in trouble
Southeast Asia contains about 40 per cent of the world’s tropical peatlands. These wetland ecosystems, comprised of centuries-old, partially decomposed organic matter, play a…
When cyber defence involves attack: Issues for Australia
From hacks targeting our medical services and health providers and theft of personal information and credit cards, it seems we can’t go long without a crack appearing in Australia…
Rare earths vs rarer resources: Global ripples from Australia’s divestment decision
The Australian government has issued a directive for five foreign companies with links to China to divest their stakes in Northern Minerals Limited within two months. The mining…
China’s contributions are a blind spot in global climate finance
Developing countries face massive costs to meet the challenges posed by climate change. This year, world leaders will come together at the UN climate talks in Azerbaijan to agree…
The fight for freshwater in the Maldives
Coral reefs, ring-like atolls, attractive beaches and teeming marine life – the Maldives is renowned for its scenic beauty. But these waterside attractions make the pressure on…
Water woes: Cambodia and Vietnam clash over the Funan Techo Canal
In August 2023, Cambodia sent an official notice to the Mekong River Commission flagging the construction of a new major canal project on the Mekong River. The Mekong, long a…
A portrait of a climate champion: Who is Enele Sopoaga?
In the world of global climate politics, one of the most often quoted people is Tuvalu’s former prime minister Enele Sosene Sopoaga.You may now know him, but you will likely know…
Should foreign aid be the government’s responsibility?
Yet again, Australia’s federal budget has been disappointing when it comes to the proportion of aid to poorer countries. However, to paraphrase John F Kennedy, perhaps we should…