A sticky question about a prohibited import to Australia might give Anthony Albanese something to chew over.

Regional expertise needs to extend well beyond base literacy and towards a more Asia-capable workforce.

Why governance, blue bonds and women are critical to a thriving ocean-based economy.

Emotions have inevitably subsided but support for Ukraine remains resolute – enough to dismay Putin-loving populists.

Stronger local ties will help the United States play catch-up in its quest to effectively compete with China.

The whole world’s a stage when it comes to promoting the power behind the “one China” narrative.

Beijing is blamed unfairly for its role in the island’s crisis ­– but its response has hardly enhanced China’s influence.

Mining asteroids? Growing food in space? Good governance will be essential to sharing the realm beyond Earth.

History, nationalism, the Party, deterrence and the military make for a heady mix.

Jakarta’s lack of civic green spaces sets the scene for Citayam Fashion Week – a couture protest of sorts.

Beijing’s latest white paper on Taiwan is a marked shift in tone from the more accommodating versions past.

Strategic choices by Manila will matter to Washington and Beijing.

New Zealand can bolster the international rules-based order by working towards Pacific women’s political representation.

Norway’s ambassador takes a moment in his last week in Canberra to explain what he would tell Anthony Albanese.

Delhi plays a delicate balancing act between self-interest and historical friendship. And it’s all about oil and gas.

New foreign investment rules, nuisance tariffs and supply chains are all under scrutiny by the Productivity Commission.

I was twice an enemy to al-Qaeda’s leader, both near and far. His influence in seeding militant Islamists was profound.

With the world focused on Ukraine, Taiwan and elsewhere, North Korea is making mischief and remains a threat.

Transparency in deciding who gets to represent the country abroad can only be a benefit.

President Marcos’ decision not to participate in an international investigation is a setback for human rights.

The status quo in the Strait has changed. But is anyone really tuning in as the drama unfolds?

Protesters might assume a corrupt system will crumble, but the political class might be just as determined to hang on.

Collaborations between Australia and its regional partners on skills, knowledge and capacity offer a win-win scenario.

South Korea's threat to pre-emptively decapitate the leadership in Pyongyang may drag the United States into a conflict.

A former president of the Asian Development Bank reminisces about dealing with the rise of China.

Shocking violence has captured headlines. A higher benchmark is needed in support of a free and credible ballot.

Privileging one voice over another in Southeast Asia would be a mistake.

Putin and Erdoğan have forgiven all manner of friendship-breaking behaviour to retain their power in Eurasia.

The speaker has a long history of standing against Beijing. But Asia’s balance of military power has changed.

The US has declared justice after more than 20 years hunting Ayman al-Zawahiri. But a battle with extremism will go on.

The execution of four opposition activists by the junta needs urgent action from governments of all stripes.

Modern life can hold some inconvenient lessons – for those willing to search them out.

The Australian anti-abortion movement wants to learn from and replicate the campaign to overturn Roe vs Wade.

Red flags should be flying about Beijing’s latest challenge to the international development agenda.

To kick off a new series with foreign envoys in Canberra, I quiz Botswana’s representative about dealing with Australia.

It looks suspiciously as if a decision is already made, even with a promised 18-month investigation only half-way done.

The language of geopolitics is trickling down to unexpected corners of the economy with wide-ranging long-term impact.

After being issued a yellow card, Hanoi must look to its neighbours and international laws for the way forward.

History is too often reduced to a cartoonish view, but a proper perspective is crucial to chart the next challenges.

The contentious changes brought about by the former prime minister will be debated for years to come.

A better – and public – understanding is needed of the cascading effects of regional challenges.

A historic hugs and dialling-down regional rivalries. How a week of Pacific diplomacy unfolded.

A reconstruction of incomplete archives reveals one of Australia’s most audacious independent special forces operations.

Surging prices, shortages, growing debt, a teetering economy. Familiar ingredients point to trouble ahead.

Bitter experience should have been a warning that elections need to be properly planned and administered.

Jakarta’s sovereign wealth fund offers investors an attractive way into the country’s booming infrastructure sector.

Abe Shinzo’s passing and the Timor oil spy case dismissal reveal new thinking about what national security means.

Labor faces a dilemma over nuclear-powered subs and the non-proliferation regime. An old partner might offer an answer.

Driven by a vision of democratic peace spanning two seas, Japan’s former prime minister transformed regional diplomacy.

Access to financial services can be a key to poverty reduction and increased digitisation during lockdowns has helped.