A kick up the pants

If populist attacks on traditional multilaterial institutions catalyse much-needed engagement, reform and revitalisation, they might unintentionally offset some of the damage their own rhetoric does to the legitimacy of those bodies.

Chain, chain, chains

Trump’s return has normalised and supercharged authoritarianism around the world, making it the rule rather than the exception.

UN blues

The 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly comes at a time when trust in the rules-based international system, capitalism, and democracy has waned dangerously low. Middle powers like Canada and Australia, with proven legitimacy and exemplary records for multilateral cooperation on security and human rights challenges, must therefore do more to redouble support for multilateralism.

Who will defend Europe?

Keir Giles’ “Who Will Defend Europe?” is a well-written and insightful examination of Europe’s parlous security situation, threatened by Putin’s aggression to the East and Trump’s ill-considered isolationism from the West.

Europe holds its breath

The spectre of a second term for Donald Trump is horrifying enough but whatever its result, the US election may widen rifts between the United States and Europe, given long-standing concerns about trade, defence, and geopolitical cooperation.

Smoke and ashes

In his new book ”Smoke and Ashes,” Amitav Ghosh takes the reader through a broad, yet deeply personal exploration of opium’s history, its trade and consumption, as well as how it shapes the world we live in today.

Virtual solutions to real tourist problems?

The internet and the latest digital tools are providing new opportunities and approaches to the sustainable management of tourism.

Is “overtourism” a real problem?

The overtourism debate is fraught with extremes, but without scientific measures, it risks becoming a distraction from real global tourism challenges.

Even the UN struggles to meet gender parity goals

Despite calling for greater gender equality around the world, the UN’s leadership is still heavily weighted towards men, with only a fraction of member states appointing female diplomats despite global targets for representation.

Healing the divide

The Australian government has to find ways to help heal the growing domestic disunity caused by the ongoing middle-east conflict.

1923…2024?

A new book on Hitler’s first attempt to seize power in Germany “offers a powerful reminder that even strong democracies, if they are continually undermined from within, may eventually collapse into authoritarianism.”

Iran gambles on war

Iran has waged war against Israel through proxy terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah for years, but the barrage of missiles it launched directly against Israel will invite massive retaliation, and perhaps threaten the regime itself.