The storm before the calm

Many Americans think their country is in bad shape but George Friedman’s close examination of American history indicates that the country is in the midst of an expected period of transition rather than a state of decline.

Counterpoint by Mark Nicol – Western crisis – The need for realpolitik enlightenment

Faced with the rise of China and other geo-political threats, the declining power and confidence of the Western democracies, can only be reversed if cold hard realities are confronted.

A big bang on Lebanon’s 100th anniversary

The explosion that destroyed the Port of Beirut on the 4th of August shattered the hearts of every Lebanese resident and expatriate. Oula Ghannoum offers a touching homage to her troubled, but still beautiful, homeland.

The changing of the guard

The institutional foundations put in place after World War Two are being choked and eroded by great power rivalries, leaving the world a more fractious and dangerous place.

The martyrdom of Alexei Navalny

As protests in Belarus continue, the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny shows that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is equally afraid of losing his iron grip on power.

Populists in a pandemic

No amount of rhetorical smoke-and-mirrors can outweigh voters’ lived experiences of losing economic security or losing loved ones as a result of COVID-19 — as populist leaders the world over are now quickly learning.

Another bloody century

The triple crises of geopolitical power shifts, the Covid-19 pandemic and the economic disasters that flow from it will shape global politics, restructure global supply chains and bring an end to unregulated globalisation.

Using regional forums to advance the women, peace and security agenda

As we move past the 20th anniversary of the UN’s women, peace and security agenda, Australia can pursue innovative, complementary paths for embedding its principles in the international peace and security realm through regional organisations.

Democracy has been a victim of COVID-19

COVID-19 has had a dramatic impact on democracy worldwide, but some democracies are more resilient than others.

Helping South East Asia recover from COVID-19

How can the Australian government prioritise its response and make the most difference in helping the region recover from the economic and social ravages of the coronavirus pandemic?

The protests can show the power of democracy

At a time when authoritarian China is brutalising protesters in Hong Hong, the US must not create a mirror image of repression in how it handles the volatile situation in its cities.

The illusion of a ‘middle power moment’

Middle ranking powers such as Australia are finding themselves squeezed by increasing tension between the super powers, and may be forced to choose pragmatism over idealism as a result.