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.

Defending or undermining rules-based order?

Australia’s prime minister was awarded the “Grotius Prize” for supporting the rules-based order. However, it is debatable whether Australia is living up to Grotian ideals.

Multilateralism à la carte

Much has been written about the changing international order and the ‘crisis’ of multilateralism in recent months. The winds of change have been howling, and it’s time for Australia to step up to the challenge.

Reshaping the future of international economic governance

Developments in international economic law could alter Australia’s relationship with China and other key trading partners, says UNSW Law’s Professor Heng Wang.

Real solutions to the harsh reality of child labour

Mitigating economic risks in local communities is critical to addressing the financial uncertainty and extreme poverty which push children into child labour around the world.

International round-up

Trump’s defeat may have dominated the headlines over the last seven days, but several other stories – including China’s attempts to bully Australia through import restrictions and a series of brutal Islamic terror attacks in Europe – are worthy of careful review.

Who wins the US election matters to Australia, but not as much as we think

A Biden win would reverse the tendency for the US to treat allies as adversaries—or free riders (except when they are)—but a Biden presidency would also be consumed by a focus on rebuilding and healing a divided America.

The last winter of the Weimar Republic

“The gravediggers” is eloquent testimony to the collapse of Weimar Germany and what became inevitable when those charged with the custody of the German state failed to stand up to Adolf Hitler.

International roundup

Tracy Beattie, Hal Crichton-Standish, Daria Impiombato, Alexandra Pascoe and Albert Zhang offer this weeks round-up of threats, developments and crisis around the world.

Tackling gender inequality early in Asia and the Pacific

A major study across 40 countries in Asia and the Pacific reveals the stark gender inequalities faced by adolescents, providing a roadmap for effective action.

What’s next for Jacinda Ardern?

New Zealanders want leadership that shows care and concern but also takes action and accomplishing this amid a global health and economic crisis is not going to be easy.

Reviewing the global threat spectrum

While the headlines remain dominated by the problems caused by coronavirus and the turmoil of the American election, a range of other threats and tensions shouldn’t be forgotten.