Australian Perspective
Why Kevin Rudd won't be the next UN Secretary General
Wherever Kevin Rudd goes, leadership speculation seems to follow. During his time in Australia, it centred on the stewardship of the Australian Labor Party. Now that he is based…
Australia all in with the Joint Strike Fighter
'Together with the Super Hornet and Growler electronic warfare aircraft, the F-35 aircraft will ensure Australia maintains a regional air combat edge', Prime Minister Abbott said…
Australia needs a cyber white paper
The idea of cyberspace as a common global good has yet to find its place in Australia.
Ensuring that sea lanes remain open for navigation throughout the Indo-Pacific was a…
After ICJ ruling, what's the future for Japanese whaling?
In the US movie Groundhog Day, protagonist Bill Murray finds himself condemned to relive the same day over and over again, until finally managing to break the time loop.
For…
US pivot is faltering, which might be a good thing
By Geoff Miller, former Australian Ambassador to Japan (1986-89) and former Director-General of the Office of National Assessments (1989-95).
In their Interpreter article of 27…
Free trade deal: Did Australia just breach Japan's protectionist fortress?
For a trade deal that Prime Minister Abbott says is the most significant since the 1957 post war-trade pact with Japan, there seems to be a lot of whinging.
The trade minister…
Debating Snowden, WikiLeaks and the future of espionage
It was a treat for me to host yesterday's panel discussion on Snowden, WikiLeaks and the Future of Espionage. It was a lively panel which engaged in sometimes passionate…
Australia-Japan defence agreement: Normal, not extraordinary
If, as expected, Australia and Japan sign a defence equipment agreement today, this should be seen as a normal and welcome development in the bilateral relationship (as ASPI's…
What Abbott's business delegation can learn in Japan, Korea and China
Prime Minister Abbott's team for his current visit to Japan, South Korea and China is certainly business-heavy. So too was his warm-up speech, which one observer suggested might…
Abbott to sign security pact with Japan, but what will he offer China?
Media reports predict that Australia and Japan will sign a historic defence and security pact when Prime Minister Tony Abbott visits Japan this weekend. If this news is accurate,…