13 Dec 2023
Beijing digs in for the Central Asia-China gas pipeline
Construction challenges aside, a geopolitical interest is obvious.
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13 Dec 2023
The Fix: Nationalist theatre, with a twist
An action film where the climax features a gritty anti-hero urging the importance of an informed vote? Watch and learn. -
13 Dec 2023
Crunch time on Rohingya refugees
By bolstering assistance to Bangladesh, Australia can avoid a new source of maritime arrivals. -
12 Dec 2023
The redemption of Bashar al-Assad?
Syria has been readmitted to the Arab League but faces ongoing challenges and a population bedevilled by conflict. -
12 Dec 2023
Down or out: The future of fossil fuels at COP28
Record attendance by oil, coal and gas lobbyists shows how seriously the industry is taking this conference – and the gap remaining to any deal. -
12 Dec 2023
India indicted? Unravelling an alleged assassination plot in America
Legal documents can send a diplomatic message. But the questions raised might lead to unexpected turns. -
11 Dec 2023
The Beijing blowback should Australia get closer to Taiwan
Bilateral initiatives are not the only way for Australia to bolster Taiwan and signal its support. -
11 Dec 2023
Don’t let China veto Australia’s ties with Taiwan
Canberra should not let increased trade and political engagement with Taipei be held hostage to Beijing’s sensitivities. -
11 Dec 2023
Espionage top ten
From George Smiley to Jackson Lamb, the best spy fiction relies not on heroes but masters of the plot. -
8 Dec 2023
Half time at COP28: Reflections from Dubai
A new loss and damage fund is real progress – but on its own is far from enough. -
8 Dec 2023
University challenge: Caption contest winners
A pair of students win tickets to see Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the 2023 Lowy Lecture and Dinner. -
8 Dec 2023
America's re-balance to Asia delayed … again
Whisperings of Chinese military facilities in the Gulf combine with Gaza War to further complicate US efforts at strategic re-prioritisation. -
7 Dec 2023
Does the world have any energy left to cope with another war?
Talk of conflict between South American countries Venezuela and Guyana has suddenly flared over a longstanding border dispute. -
7 Dec 2023
Economic diplomacy: Pulling the right global value chain
Australia is now a big exporter of “bottleneck products” in a deglobalising world, just as it tries to rebuild manufacturing. -
7 Dec 2023
China’s view of Henry Kissinger: A political nostalgia
The outpouring in China stems from dissatisfaction with the current US policy towards Beijing and change from Kissinger’s framework. -
6 Dec 2023
The geopolitics of Argentina’s lithium trade
Will the new government redefine its trade ties with China – and at what cost? -
6 Dec 2023
The Fix: A death in Malta
Uncovering the murky business of corruption and graft too often puts journalists’ lives at risk. -
6 Dec 2023
Tales from the magic circle
A new book explores how post-war Europe’s waves of counterculture and activism transformed the notion of revolution. -
5 Dec 2023
Indonesia ratifies nuclear weapons ban treaty. Australia should too.
Why does the government remain at odds with the vast majority of its neighbours? -
5 Dec 2023
“Egregious stupidity”: The story of when Australia split with Kissinger over South Asia
On Kissinger’s final report card, his handling of India, Pakistan and the emergence of Bangladesh scores badly. -
5 Dec 2023
Should Trump win, will Kim Jong-un pick up the phone?
Circumstances have greatly changed since the “bromance” that captivated the world. -
4 Dec 2023
Myanmar: The last days of the junta?
The rebels appear to hold all the initiative on the battlefield. -
4 Dec 2023
Learning to live in a world without progress
Optimistic about the trajectory of human society? That’s brave. -
4 Dec 2023
How to stop any repeat of the Australia-China sonar incident
A regional deal to close a loophole relating to the use of sonar in international law could be a good place to start. -
1 Dec 2023
France as a convening power in the Pacific: The Nouméa SPDMM
A little known regional dialogue offers France and other countries a chance to contribute to the “Pacific way”. -
1 Dec 2023
COP28: A better climate for US-China relations?
As rivalry dominates cooperation, shared concern on the environment is still held out as a chance to stabilise ties. -
1 Dec 2023
Ignoring those forgotten
There is more shared history between China and Australia than many realise. -
30 Nov 2023
Henry Kissinger: A man for the times
Driven by a European-style statecraft, one of America’s most controversial figures shaped modern US foreign policy. -
30 Nov 2023
Inside the tangled negotiations for a global plastic treaty
Countries want to end plastic pollution by 2040 but haven’t yet found agreement on a path to the goal. -
30 Nov 2023
Indonesia: The high cost of high-speed rail
A first for Southeast Asia is worth celebrating. But infrastructure spending still must prove itself effective. -
30 Nov 2023
Argentina: From beggar to chooser
Voters backed the promise of a functional economy with fewer restrictions, but the new administration will now need to convince the world. -
29 Nov 2023
Southeast Asia's minerals: Opportunity knocks
Australia should make better use of its regional leadership in minerals technology, skills and governance. -
29 Nov 2023
The Fix: Simple history is never simplistic
Your weekly Interpreter feature about issues, resources and helpful distractions that might otherwise be missed. -
29 Nov 2023
Economic statecraft with American characteristics
The United States keeps pitching Asia regional deals for economic arrangements that are not politically viable at home. -
28 Nov 2023
Hamas's position is stronger than many think
Hamas has demonstrated surprising resilience and capability since its founding in 1987. It would be a mistake to believe it can be eliminated. -
28 Nov 2023
The regional realignment on display at COP28
Middle East nations that built riches on fossil fuels are now presenting as friends for the Global South in an energy transition. -
28 Nov 2023
The extra bad news behind the latest Korean break-down
Suspending the 2018 inter-Korean military accord not only fuels mistrust but shows neither side is looking for an off-ramp. -
28 Nov 2023
Here come the SuperApps
Indonesia’s experience with TikTok shows the challenges posed by social media-e-commerce hybrids. -
27 Nov 2023
Russia-North Korea: Closer, but not too close
Gushing portrayals of a revived relationship should be treated with caution. -
27 Nov 2023
Rise of the Redback
The US dollar remain the dominant currency. But China – and others – are driving the yuan as an alternative. -
27 Nov 2023
Papua New Guinea: Learning the lessons of language
Preserving PNG’s linguistic kaleidoscope is as much a connection with the past as a path to the future. -
24 Nov 2023
Driving the energy transition within ASEAN
Transportation is the life-blood of the regional economy but also a big contributor to environmental costs. -
24 Nov 2023
De-risking developing country debt
Debt suspension clauses should be rolled out by Western lenders, including Australia. -
24 Nov 2023
China and Taiwan are big Pacific donors – but not for gender equality
More clarity on the flows of funds would help to assign what little credit is due. -
23 Nov 2023
A delicate dance: latest India allegations test the rules
How far can “strategic trust” be stretched? -
23 Nov 2023
Economic diplomacy: Hits and misses for Project Diversify
India and Vietnam are the rising new trade partners as business cools on China amid new American protectionism. -
23 Nov 2023
Global Goal on Adaptation: Shaping a new framework at COP28
Crafting a common metric might be a negotiator’s nightmare but it’s never been more urgent to help the world's most vulnerable. -
23 Nov 2023
Digital dominoes: Australia’s strategic play in the Pacific
Enhancing the region’s digital connectivity goes beyond influence. It’s about sharing prosperity and security, too. -
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22 Nov 2023
Why is Myanmar’s new deep-sea port such hot property?
An alternative route to the Strait of Malacca offers China, and others, a safer, faster and more efficient trade route.