Four against one

Their recent summit-level meeting underlines “the Quad” will be a powerful stabilising force in the Indo-Pacific in the face of escalating Chinese aggression.

Can Myanmar’s civil disobedience movement restore democracy?

The people of Myanmar must choose their fate and system of government for it to be legitimate. A prolonged return to military rule or an illegitimate government will only perpetuate continued suffering and instability.

Can 2021 still be Australia’s year of Southeast Asia?

With multiple initiatives set to launch, 2021 was supposed to be the year Australia pivoted to Southeast Asia. Recent events in Myanmar will make this more challenging, but the underlying reasons for investing in Southeast Asia remain.

Turn and face the strange

While some of the worst fears around COVID-19 haven’t come to pass, the world has still been turned upside down over the course of the last year.

Saving democracy in Burma

Academics from UNSW Sydney have joined international colleagues in condemning this month’s military coup in Myanmar, saying the justifications for the action are not supported by events or the constitution.

Navalny sheds light on dark corners

The cynical imprisonment of Alexei Navalny won’t secure the future of Vladimir Putin’s brutal dictatorship for long.

The future of the ANZUS alliance

In 2021, the ANZUS alliance will have been in place for 70 years. However, in the wake of Biden’s recent inauguration as the 46th president of the United States, the alliance is experiencing challenges not seen in the past.

Counterpoint by Mark Nicol – Alexei Navalny – The fight for humanity

Protests against the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny are growing in Russia, but the movement for democracy needs the support of both Russians and the West to face down the brutal dictatorship of Vladimir Putin.

The Liberal Party’s struggles with multilateralism

Although the Liberal Party is a staunch supporter of Australia’s security alliances, its faith in the United Nations has ebbed and flowed over the years.

The Australia–Thailand strategic partnership

The Australia–Thailand strategic partnership builds on shared history, common geography, overlapping interests and mutual strategic concerns.

Europe after Trump

Decision makers and opinion formers in Europe viewed the Trump presidency with increasing apprehension and disquiet, but problems and issues will remain long after Biden takes office.

The “scrooge effect” on foreign affairs

DFAT has built an admirable record in navigating the rapids of international diplomacy over the last 50 years, but gradual cuts in funding can only undermine its future efficacy.