The WPS generation

The WPS generation has come of age. It includes women who are leading human rights organisations in Sudan, commanding units in the Ukrainian armed forces and rebuilding communities from Bougainville to Bakhmut. But many of them are doing this work despite the system, not because of it.

Selective justice

The International Criminal Court has made headlines with arrest warrants for figures like Russian President Vladimir Putin and Hamas leader Mohammed Deif but most people accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide will never see the inside of The Hague.

Words as weapons of control

The pen may still be mightier than the sword, but that’s not always a good thing as a swathe of authoritarian populists in democratic states are twisting words into weapons to blur moral boundaries and bludgeon the truth into submission.

Free Belarus

Exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has urged US President Donald Trump to use his influence—including through further sanctions pressure—to help free more than 1,200 political prisoners held by Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko, branding it ‘true moral leadership’.

Nations, states and empires

John A. Hall’s Nations, States and Empires paints a grim picture of a world in the grip of authoritarian powers determined to increase their power and influence with no regard for international law or democratic norms.

UNder pressure

With United Nations bodies laying off staff following United States funding cuts, it’s fair to ask if the multilateral system – where countries work together towards common goals – is still functioning.

Taking stock of the WPS agenda

Women, Peace and Security (WPS) is at a critical juncture, facing significant challenges to its relevance but as we approach the agenda’s 25th anniversary, we should double down rather than step away from WPS commitments and issues.

Horizon Europe

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s decision to commit to a security and defence partnership with the EU is a timely recognition of Australia’s national interests and should be applauded.

Delegated diplomacy

The last decade has seen a substantial rise in scholarly writings on the value of diplomacy. American political scientist David Lindsey’s Delegated Diplomacy: How Ambassadors Establish Trust in International Relations contributes to this trend, arguing that diplomats remain important in the making of world politics and do so in surprising and paradoxical ways.

Grading the G7

The 2025 G7 Summit was overshadowed by war, wildfires, and walkouts—most notably President Trump’s abrupt exit before launching strikes on Iran. What was meant to be a forum for unity on trade, energy, and climate instead exposed the deep fractures defining today’s global order.

Celebrating cultural diversity

As we celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the UNESCO 2005 Convention we must also renew our commitment to its principles, and to reaffirm the vital role that each of us plays in advancing the diversity of cultural expressions.

Asian democracy

Since the early 2000s, the world has witnessed a deepening democratic recession, and Asia is no exception. Compromised political freedom, constitutionalism and competitiveness characterise many democratic states across the region, while authoritarian states remain deeply entrenched. Still, there are glimmers of hope, as enduring public support for democratic ideals signals that even seemingly stable autocracies may not be immune to sudden change.