Imperfect as Iran is, engage it with diplomacy, not war

Iran is widely seen as an international pariah, and is blamed for supporting terrorists in the middle east and beyond, yet diplomatic engagement could still prove a more productive strategy than military confrontation.

Balancing the rise of China

It’s clear that China wants to become the predominant power in Asia. Why should that be a concern for Australia? The answer goes to the heart of the intersection of our interests and values in foreign policy.

Putin and Xi plot an oppressive digital future

China and Russia are very different nations in many ways, but both are ruled by authoritarian regimes determined to assert themselves on the international stage while crushing political dissent at home and both use the internet to achieve their goals.

Australia needs a clear and consistent China policy

Our government should take a leaf out of China’s book by strongly promoting our national interests, speaking plainly in defence of our core values, and explaining our strategic priorities to the domestic public.

Thirty years after Tiananmen it’s time to face facts and join forces

Thirty years after Tiananmen we need to spend less time trying to fix China and more time shoring up our ability to take care of ourselves, our societies and all of our citizens.

Tiananmen Square, 3–4 June 1989

The Chinese Communist Party goes to extraordinary lengths to suppress discussion of the brutal student massacre which crushed pro-democracy protests 30 years ago, but memories of the tragedy remain as intense as ever.

Australia’s “strategic personality” in a changing world

Beyond the tourist images of barbecues and beaches, what is Australia’s ‘personality’ in international affairs, and how might that change in the future?

Assessing China’s soft power in the Pacific

The fragility of Australian soft power in the Pacific has less to do with Chinese influence than a perception that Canberra has drifted away from the regional consensus on climate change, development priorities and economic relations.

Understanding the impact of Sri Lanka’s Easter bombings

The terror attacks in Sri Lanka that killed more than 300 people on 21 April have exposed the failings and dysfunction of the government in Colombo and the country’s leaders will need to act decisively to stop the attacks from fuelling inter-communal conflicts.

Will Australia gain or suffer from Britain’s Brexit morass?

The United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union may eventually present opportunities for Australia. But, while much will depend upon the shape of the final withdrawal agreement, there are measures Australia could take now to develop future opportunities.

Australia and Indonesia can strengthen ASEAN

Entering ASEAN would help Australia shape the future of South East Asia in concert with the fast growing democracy of Indonesia.

Delving deeper after the ABC’s China investigations

The recent ABC documentary exposing China’s political interference in Australian affairs did little to question the effectiveness of this country’s foreign intervention laws.