Scott Morrison has made a diplomatic blunder in leading the push for an inquiry into the origins of coronavirus. There is much at stake, and he now needs to find a diplomatic way out.
- Director, La Trobe University
China’s bullying behaviour, its threatened resort to a form of economic blackmail and its attempts to drive a wedge between Canberra and Washington mark a vexed new frontier for Australian diplomacy.
During the Global Financial Crisis, the world benefited from American leadership. That is missing – along with any logical replacement – in the current crisis.
During the Global Financial Crisis, the US and the G20 led the way to recovery. As the coronavirus pandemic takes hold, there is a leadership vacuum, and we may all suffer for it.
Despite pending criminal charges, the Israeli prime minister looks likely to form another government.
War is expensive, and the Iranian leadership may now face increased pressure to withdraw from its involvement in the Syrian conflict.
Differences among the ‘Five Eyes’ over the tech company’s role in building 5G networks pose a threat to the long-standing Western consensus about how to manage relations with China.
Trump’s “deal of the century” is not a realistic plan to resolve a decades-old conflict, but an invitation to Israel to expand its territory at Palestine’s expense.
As the bushfire crisis worsens, the prime minister’s fallback positions on climate change and lack of urgency on a federal disaster plan are no longer tenable – the public is demanding more.
As British courts this week hear arguments for and against the Wikileaks founder’s extradition to the US, the questions about journalism, the law and freedom of speech it raises are vital ones.
Around the world, frustrations about growing inequality and inadequate responses to climate change are fuelling protests – and these are likely to grow bigger and more violent in the next year.
This may turn out to be a major threat to Australian security, but it is important that the political class – including the media – not overreact to the “China threat”.
Two major initiatives will be on the agenda at the weekend’s summit: a mega trade deal and a regional security framework.
The US president’s latest announcement portends a worrying outcome in a part of the world riven by years of conflict.
In its mirroring of the US position, the government is indicating it believes China needs to have its wings clipped, while Labor has taken a different view.
Iran is being accused of ‘hostage diplomacy’ by resorting to incarcerating foreign nationals at a time when sanctions are crippling its economy.
A new book takes apart Australia’s recent move towards a more secret state, and the implications it might have for the health of our democracy.
The espionage allegation against the Australian writer comes against a backdrop of rising trade and political tensions – and the Australian government’s response is hardening.
Backbencher Andrew Hastie’s recent opinion piece has caused ructions within the government, but Scott Morrison needs to articulate a clear policy on China that also allows for dissenting voices.
With the experience of hastily joining the US-lead invasion of Iraq in 2003 still fresh, the federal government must ensure it has a clear view of the limits of any new commitment.
The wisest course from here would seem to be reopening discussions with Tehran about Gulf security and an American-imposed sanctions regime. But this will be easier said than done.
Yang’s detainment is set to further complicate Australia’s relationship with China.
The world watches to see if this weekend’s summit is a constructive occasion in an evolving, and messy, trade war, or a wasted opportunity.
Washington’s reimposition of harsh sanctions against Iran is one of the Trump administration’s most irresponsible acts.
Protestors have taken to the streets over an extradition bill that could see alleged criminals extradicted to China, and Beijing is doing little to assuage their concerns.
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