The great white fleet

America’s “Great White Fleet” came to Australia in friendship in 1908, but China’s red flotilla had very different intentions earlier this year.

Amusing ourselves to death

Forty years ago, Neil Postman warned that we were entering a brave new world in which people enslaved themselves to television and technology-driven entertainment, and in this age of social media and AI, his book seems more prescient than ever.

Silence isn’t golden

The Federal Government’s habit of evading, ignoring or downplaying security threats undermines public trust, encourages conspiracy theories and emboldens our enemies.

China’s mobile security threat

Australia needs to list critical infrastructure and sectors from which suppliers of concern from China and Russia are prohibited, and that should start with electric cars.

Freedom and responsibility

We must hold ourselves and our democratic governments to account. But freedom of the press and freedom of expression are not enjoyed where one is only free to actually harm our own societies.

First they take Geneva, then they take New York

Liberal democracies have been complacent about the infallibility of institutional power, failing to recognise that institutions are only as strong as the determination of their most active members.

Dissecting the debate

The Presidential election debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris produced more noise than enlightenment, but what did it reveal of the candidates’ very different stances on international issues.

Who takes charge of terrorism?

The terror threat level in Australia has been raised to ‘probable’, but the government responsibilities for managing the threat has become increasingly muddled.

Kamala on the international stage

Democracies around the world are worried about the impact a second term for Donald Trump would have on world affairs, but would a Kamala Harris Presidency be any better?

In defence of AUKUS

Those who value AUKUS recognise that Australia can thrive with our sovereignty, strategic choices and economic freedom intact, but only if we remain ambitious.

Peace through strength not surrender

The free world must give Ukraine the capabilities it needs to fight against Russia and help give them something to fight for.

Hostage diplomacy

It’s time for Beijing to stop assuming it can worry Australia, and start worrying about what Australia might do. We can start by fighting for justice for Yang Hengjun and defend our democratic sovereignty.