Foreign Minister Penny Wong is travelling to China to mark the half-century anniversary of a relationship that has ridden the vicissitudes over that time.
- Director, La Trobe University
Chinese President Xi Jinping has effectively become “leader for life” at this weekend’s congress. But his strict COVID zero policy may bring economic turmoil.
Rather than harming Australia’s credibility, the decision will likely reinforce Canberra’s reputation as a middle power seeking to navigate its way in the shifting sands of Middle East politics.
A powerful protest movement has taken hold in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini. It may affect change, but it is up against a ruthless regime that will not easily relinquish control.
A new book by Australian photo-journalist Andrew Quilty records the last chaotic days of the failed American nation-building exercise in Afghanistan.
The US speak of the house’s visit to Taiwan has provoked more sabre-rattling from China, but neither China nor the US will want tensions to escalate further.
Penny Wong’s first trip as foreign minister appears to have been a success. But there is a long road ahead – and lessons from 50 years ago may be useful.
Elections where a national security threat have been a major talking point have historically played well for incumbent governments. But this time is different.
The Chinese leader’s alignment with Putin would have sat awkwardly with previous leaders, who understood China’s best interests were served by avoiding costly entanglements.
In differentiating himself from the Morrison government on China, the Labor leader would do well do study Julia Gillard’s record.
The meeting of the leaders of the world’s most powerful countries hit all the right diplomatic notes, but there are still vast differences and disagreements to work through.
History will weigh heavily on the meeting in Beijing this week, which will affirm the Chinese president’s power and outline the political agenda for the coming years.
Struggling with a a fragile healthcare system, remote populations and widespread fear of the vaccine, COVID is running rampant in PNG. Australia has done much to help, but is it enough?
Mao’s Long March has a storied place in Chinese history. There are resonances in China’s current approach to international relations.
With fuel shortages and economic ruin causing havoc in the country, Lebanon is in dire need of help. But its supporters may have run out of patience.
The region is already arming at the fastest rate in the world, but China and other nations can be expected to respond to AUKUS by further expanding their militaries.
After 20 years that cost thousands of lives and trillions of dollars, America’s engagement in the Middle East appears to be over. So what happens now?
The US president inherited a situation with no good solution in Afghanistan, but the latest bombing will raise questions about his judgment and cloud his presidency.
El fracaso de la autoridad estadounidense en Afganistán afectará de una u otra manera a todos los rincones de Oriente Medio y el norte de África.
Every corner of the Middle East and North Africa will be touched in some way by the failure of American authority in Afghanistan.
China’s staggering growth over the past 40 years is due to the force of personality and risk-taking of a man who stood barely 1.5m tall.
In 1971, then-Opposition Leader Gough Whitlam made a significant trip to China. Now, with tensions between the two countries showing no signs of abating, it may be time to look to his example.
With a fragile new Israeli government in power, it is in both sides’ interests for the violence to stop. But, as has so often been the case, that peace is unlikely to hold.
Scott Morrison may have found the meeting of the leaders of the world’s liberal democracies that aligning himself so closely with former US President Donald Trump was not the most prudent course.
The outcome for the Australian citizen cannot be viewed separately from the continued downward spiral of Australia-China relations.
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