Mea culpa

Australian Army analyst William Leben discusses what he got wrong about Australia’s relationship with Papua New Guinea, major military acquisitions, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and what can be learned from it.

Open the embassies

The Trump administration should restructure the American diplomatic effort across the Pacific to boost the President’s stated aims of increasing both strategic influence and administrative efficiency.

Fickle friends

The world looks a lot less friendly for Australia than it did at the beginning of 2024 and this is unlikely to change any time soon. Australia needs to face its situation realistically rather than relying on the illusion that ‘great and powerful friends’ have its best interests at heart.

Women in diplomacy

Australia has made remarkable strides in gender equality in diplomacy, achieving near parity in its Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. However, globally, women remain underrepresented in diplomacy, highlighting the need for continued efforts to address gender disparities and ensure equal representation worldwide.

The underfunding of Australian diplomacy

Spending on Australian diplomacy has reached new lows, meaning important events, meetings, and committees are being missed or attended by interns, and Australians are still waiting for the Albanese government to do something about it.

Hostage diplomacy

It’s time for Beijing to stop assuming it can worry Australia, and start worrying about what Australia might do. We can start by fighting for justice for Yang Hengjun and defend our democratic sovereignty.

In the house of pooh bear

Tensions appear to be easing between Australia and China, but the Prime Minister must remember that pulling punches on international security in the hope of frictionless diplomacy and short-term economic gain only teaches authoritarian states that aggression and coercion are effective.

Diplomacy and defence must work together

Strong diplomacy is crucial to avoid conflict, and the Australian Defence Force must operate within an envelope created and expanded by the nation’s diplomatic efforts, says ADF chief Angus Campbell.

Technological diplomacy

Diplomacy is needed to manage governance and security in cyberspace, and so diplomats must better engage with the big technology and internet companies.

Building bridges

Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister Richard Marles will travel to Europe for separate ‘2+2’ meetings with their French and British counterparts this week.

Advice for the Ambassador

Australia’s former Ambassador to the United States Kim Beazley offers some sage advice to his successor, former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

AI takes on the great game

Computers have beat any human at chess, and now AI may be able to outperform humans at the great game of diplomacy.