Authoritarian Asia

Alongside the global decline of democratisation, the spread of authoritarianism and deterioration of human rights in Southeast Asia continues at an accelerated pace.

East Asia leads the digital trade revolution

East Asia’s trading system is undergoing a rapid shift to digital platforms, offering Australia a chance to jump on board.

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.

Australia’s long history of Asian engagement

The need to engage with Asia has been a major issue of 21st century Australian politics, but the roots of this debate go much deeper into Australia’s past and have been shaped by a succession of prime ministers from all parties.

The foreign policy impact of Australia’s growing Asian minority

Will Australia’s growing Asian minority mean the government’s foreign policy looks towards China rather than the USA?

Competition in Asia: too little of a good thing

Weak competition has a nasty habit of becoming entrenched over time as vested interests tighten their grip and economic clout hardens into political power. Getting on top of Asia’s current competition challenges will pay dividends for years to come.

The past, present and future of APEC at 30

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum is approaching its 30th year of work to foster cooperation in trade, investment and development in the Asia Pacific.

Will Australia defend the ‘rules-based order’ in Asia?

The heated and polarised debate about the consequences of China’s increasing military assertiveness has raised doubts about the future of the ‘rules-based order’ in the region, as invoked by the Turnbull government in numerous speeches and policy statements.