Even the Abbott government’s harshest critics would have to concede that when it comes to foreign policy, at least, they’ve been a bit unlucky. The Chinese government’s decision to suddenly up the ante…
- Adjunct Professor, Australia-China Relations Institute, University of Technology Sydney
How times change. Only a couple of years ago, China watchers were preoccupied with its ‘charm offensive’ as China’s policymakers worked overtime to assure traditionally nervous neighbours that its rise…
If you think we have problems with the neighbours, spare a thought for China and Japan. The intractable nature of their territorial disputes, combined with the depth of animosity between the two governments…
When asked what he thought was most likely to blow government plans and policies off course, former British prime minister Harold Macmillan famously replied: “events, dear boy, events”. Former US Defense…
Most of the commentary about Kevin Rudd since his resignation has focused on his domestic impact and the internecine power struggles that were such a feature of his time in politics. Understandable as…
British comic Russell Brand has gained further notoriety of late, but not for the usual reasons. His recent interview with Jeremy Paxman, the too-clever-by-half doyen of television interviewers, has gone…
When US Secretary of State John Kerry made his most recent visit to the Middle East, he made a special point of visiting Saudi Arabia to reassure the kingdom’s ageing rulers that the US still sees them…
Who would have thought it? Governments, it seems, have been spying on each other. As revelations go, this may be slightly less surprising than the news that the British tabloids are entirely without scruples…
In case you missed the news, the “Asian century” is over. Or it is as far as the Abbott government is concerned. In its continuing revamp of the apparatus and output of government, the Coalition has officially…
“To get rich is glorious” – Deng Xiaoping’s famous aphorism has clearly been taken to heart by at least 168 people in China. That’s the number of billionaires identified in Forbes’ annual China Rich List…
The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum concluded last night as leaders, foreign ministers and trade delegations wrapped up a week in Bali. You’d be forgiven for not noticing. There are two…
Tony Abbott’s initial forays into foreign relations are exceeding expectations. True, the bar was set pretty low for many critics, but the new team is clearly intent on sending positive signals about the…
Being the most powerful man in the world isn’t what it used to be. US president Barack Obama is currently being ridiculed for his apparent inability to decide how to handle the conflict in Syria. American…
Many foreign policy observers are apprehensive about the election of Tony Abbott. A key concern is that his government may be liberal in name only and that we may see a return to the sorts of policies…
Election 2013 Essays: As the federal election campaign draws to a close, The Conversation asked eminent thinkers to reflect on the state of the nation and the challenges Australia - and whichever party…
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