First thoughts on where Trump will steer US actions in Asia, the Pacific, and the rest of the world.

The only nation with a viable theory of victory is Russia. Harris must decide if the US will change that equation.

Donald Trump’s overarching impulse towards the Middle East can be boiled down to: look strong, but don’t do too much.

A Harris administration is unlikely to reverse America’s eroding military advantage over China.

Much commentary about China and the US election has suggested Beijing prefers Trump. In fact, the opposite might be the case.

Many Southeast Asian countries already see the United States as a more distant and less reliable partner.

If Donald Trump can’t achieve a quick solution in Ukraine, he could well turn on Putin and increase US support to Ukraine.

Pacific Island countries want to hear more from the Democratic nominee about how she will support the region.

Donald Trump’s policies are a recipe for higher global inflation, greater fragmentation, and more inequality.

Harris is largely a blank slate on China policy. She is likely to stick to Biden policy positions and instincts, which means relations will remain rocky.

Ideological and policy tribalism is a feature of every presidency. The new Trump team will be no different.

Judging by the lack of major policy announcements from the Harris campaign, her administration is likely to largely maintain the Biden trajectory.

Trump disparages the liberal international order. Australia may need to serve in its bodyguard.

In US foreign policy, the Congress can pack a punch against the president, and that reverberates all the way to Australia.

Could Canada cope? Might Australia? Two books on the “vice in the chest and tightness in the stomach” prospect.

A free speech attack? No, if losing access is a blow, it’s because Trump relied on social media too much for too long.

Donald Trump’s “reality” does not have to be real, it’s enough to persistently claim and act as though it is.

Much of the chaos expected in the coming days and weeks can be tied to the commander in chief’s rhetoric.

A selection of commentary and analysis from Lowy Institute voices on the state of affairs in and beyond the USA.

Trump’s pandering to white supremacists and right-wing militias brings a very real risk of violence on election day.

Donald Trump may soon be out of the White House, but it will take longer to understand what he was doing there.

What would four more years of Donald Trump’s leadership look like? Bob Woodward’s new book gives some clues.

Following on the Democrats’ big show of unity last week, Republicans hit the screens this week to remake their leader.

The only real unknown is just how far Donald Trump will go to remain in office.

Four more years of Trump would be simply catastrophic, not just for America but for the world.

Covid-19 is a loser. Donald Trump is banking on civil unrest in America’s cities to drum up fear – and votes.

A testy interview puts the spotlight on the President – but do the facts matter?

Covid-19, the George Floyd killing and three years of Donald Trump have left people exhausted. But an election is near.

The killing of George Floyd snapped America awake to racism – again. The problem runs deeper than a rogue president.

Ending a long-standing program, the US shows its commitment to defending friends in the Western Pacific is on the wane.

Trump’s America has a weakening hold on the global imagination. That doesn’t mean an end to the hyper-connected world.

A stock market in bear territory and Joe Biden all but confirmed threaten the President’s chances of a second term.

It was clear Senate Republicans would ensure acquittal, but the process put Trump’s corruption on full display.

Meanwhile, the rest of the world adjusts to uncertainty in no small part fuelled by the incumbent US President.

“Our most thrilling stories are not yet told”, the president declared, but a new book is full of thrills – and spills.

A diplomatic changing of the guard means Australia has a chance to have a different conversation.

Doubts over legality and intelligence (and impeachment) didn't keep the US president from claiming a big win.

The hit on Qasem Soleimani has fundamentally changed the rules of the game between the US and Iran.

With big promises and empty threats, US president Donald Trump carried on as usual, as did his detractors. What next?

A flurry of developments left a dusting of truth inside the post-truth Beltway.

A White House confessional reveals Donald Trump incapable of change – a kind of Marvel superhero, but less interesting.

In Episode 12 of Rules Based Audio, former US Ambassador to NATO Nicholas Burns discusses US foreign policy under Trump.

It is breathtaking just how quickly Donald Trump’s recklessness has eroded the US position in the world.

Americans have grown increasingly polarised over the past 30 years, but perhaps this is a way back from the abyss.

Despite all the bluster, Donald Trump’s effect on foreign affairs has been too shallow to last beyond him.

From running on autopilot to hyper-aggressive, the President now seems intent on deal-making – without constraints.

The danger for journalists in normalising dealing with the President applies just as much to his bilateral counterparts.

Bolton’s ouster makes clear the US president’s policy isn’t “America first”, but “Trump first”.

<p>So much diplomatic energy is wasted when Donald Trump decides to fire another key administration official.</p>

After a month of manic and bizarre behaviour, the President’s approval ratings barely move.