How a country judges itself is the basis for international relations.

Labor's Richard Marles has clear passion for the Pacific. Here's how to make it practical.

China is forging ahead with a regional counter-order to displace America.

Bell makes some big calls in 'The End of the Vasco da Gama Era', and one wonders if she would declare them with such confidence today.

Seoul could buy five or six diesel submarines for the cost of one SSN.

Three domestic factors are likely to drive the US toward a tougher China policy.

Workers safety is being compromised in the garment industry despite outrage at past disasters.

The naval blockade of Yemen has entangled a careless Australia.

Jonathan Pryke, Director of the Lowy Institute's Pacific Islands Program, with links on updates across the field.

As PM, Rick Houenipwela can set the agenda but he can't personally implement every single policy.

Real and progressive change is someway off in Zimbabwe.

Scott Morrison is overstating the benefit to Australia of company tax cuts.

The week that was on The Interpreter.

Would you deal with the devil to free a nation from a tyrant?

The 'inescapable clash of norms' allows us to contemplate the new balance of power in Asia.

The Australian government can point to the experience in Ireland to soothe the inevitable challenges.

Sarah Logan with links on digital developments across Asia.

Xi Jinping has taken on mid-ranking cadres with twin attacks on 'work style' and humour.

China's rise creates strategic concerns for Australian defence. Three alternative solutions are emerging.

A strongman song and dance as the region puts on a summit season show.

Rachael Buckland, a Research Associate with the Migration and Border Policy Project, with links on developments across the field.

China has not actually taken any action to prompt Silent Invasion being pulled.

It's rare win-win for anyone not working in Huawei’s Pacific branch.

Manila summit again showed the limits of a consensus model, yet wins can be seen.

A modern concert of great powers could fall apart as quickly as its 19th century cousin

A voluntary process did not stop young Australians participating.

Euan Moyle, an intern with the Lowy Institute's Pacific Island Program, with links on developments across the Pacific.

Of a turnout of 79.5% of eligible Australians, 61.6% said 'Yes' to the question of whether the law be changed to allow same-sex couples to marry.

Greed for resources steered five decades of Australia's policy towards East Timor.

Business is shy of investing in the Pacific without a framework to resolve cross-border commercial disputes.

A decade ago, Coral Bell foresaw the emergence of a new multipolar order.

One group hoping for the return of sanctions on Iran are the smugglers of Musandam, across the Strait of Hormuz.

A posting was never on the cards for Julian Assange – and he likely knew it.

A few extra dollars from Australia could encourage greater habits of cooperation in the Pacific.

Jonathan Pryke, Director of the Pacific Islands Program, with links on updates across the aid and development field.

A stuff-up stops agreement in Vietnam but not hope of an ambitious final deal.

The Chinese delivered a masterful display of pure spectacle, ego flattery, and diplomatic theatre.

The week that was on The Interpreter.

Too much time on problems without solutions will doom ASEAN to paltry progress.

Cyber-crime is big business for Pyongyang, and a ripe target.

It is sobering that Indian diplomats are talking of the Quad as a way to stiffen Australia’s spine.

Rachael Buckland, a Research Associate in the Migration and Border Policy Project, with links on developments across the field.

Using inflation prospects as the sole criterion for policy-setting was always a convenient simplification for central banks.

Riyadh’s man in Beirut is gone but seemingly not in some careful Saudi plot.

Organising a loose strategic coalition might upset Beijing, but that's no reason not to forge ahead.

Euan Moyle, an intern with the Lowy Institute's Pacific Islands Program, with links on developments across the region.

Asian leaders are looking for clues as to which America will show up in the remaining three-plus years of Trump’s term.

A high degree of diplomatic difficulty awaits as Australia debates its foreign policy future.

It will surely not be long before King Salman abdicates for his son. But the future ruler confronts serious obstacles.

A North Korean atmospheric nuclear test could well spark a rolling ‘summer of 1914’-style crisis.