Global Issues

The international system is changing rapidly. Economic and strategic power is moving eastward; the hierarchy of states is being reshuffled; regimes of long standing, especially in the Middle East, are falling; influential new non-state actors are emerging, from al-Qaeda to WikiLeaks; and issues such as climate change and migration are climbing the international agenda. These changes are disruptive for old powers and old institutions such as the United Nations. On the other hand, the United States is proving more resilient than its doubters claim, even as the world becomes more multipolar.

The Lowy Institute watches these broad developments and examines what they mean for Australia – a middle power with regional and global interests.

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#WorldRefugeeWeek: How Australians feel about refugees

Results from the 2017 Lowy Institute Poll reveal how Australians feel about refugees being settled in Australia. Almost half (48%) of the 1200 Australians surveyed believe that refugees currently in Nauru and Manus Island detention centres should never be settled in Australia (versus 45% who agree

By Angela Han

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Proposed citizenship test would forgo a ‘fair go for all’

The Australian Government this week introduced a new Bill into parliament to amend the Citizenship Act 2007. The move comes just two weeks after submissions to its discussion paper had closed – those submissions have not been made public. In short, the proposed changes will require prospective

By Khanh Hoang

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The liberal order is not America’s to break

As the Berlin Wall came down and the Soviet Union imploded, many attributed the change entirely to American power. The hubristic ‘unipolar moment’ claim was not only wrong as history, it proved disastrous as policy guidance, ultimately running aground in the sands of Iraq. Today, that same

By Andrew Carr

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Trump has compromised climate security strategies

Much has been said about the global environmental, economic and leadership consequences of US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement but there is also a national security dimension. Trump’s decision ignores an important development in global security centred

By Christine Gallagher

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America sidelined, the climate caravan moves on

It's been only a few days since US President Donald Trump announced the US will withdraw from the Paris climate agreement. And it is already clear the greatest damage has been done not to global climate action, but to America’s influence and standing in the world - and its own economic trajectory

By Frank Jotzo

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Majority of Australians say climate change a critical threat to Australia's vital interests

As the Trump administration in the United States announces its decision about the US participation in the Paris Agreement on climate change, findings from the 2017 Lowy Institute Poll show that the majority of Australians see global warming as a serious problem and a critical threat to

By Alex Oliver

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How Trump may have helped the climate cause

Whether or not US President Donald Trump withdraws the United States from the Paris Agreement is less important than how other countries respond to his decision. By dismantling Obama’s Clean Power Plan, Trump has made it clear that his government would put little to no effort into reducing the

By Olivia Kember

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Migration and border policy links: Theresa May’s policy promises, private sponsorship, the global slave trade and more

The Kaldor Centre's Khanh Hoang unpacks Australia’s private sponsorship program for refugee and humanitarian entrants. On 6 June, The Ethics Centre is holding a debate in Sydney on the Refugee Convention. Grab your tickets here. Panellists include Jane McAdam, Erika Feller and Greg Sheridan.&

By Rachael Buckland

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With WHO's reputation on the line, much riding on the next director general

Next week the World Health Assembly, the decision-making body of WHO, will appoint the new WHO Director-General. This poses a few interesting questions including: what will the incoming DG need to focus on; how were the candidates chosen; how might the voting system influence the decision; and,

By Allira Attwill

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The risks and rewards of private humanitarian and refugee sponsorship

Australia is set to roll out a new private sponsorship programme for refugees and humanitarian entrants on 1 July, following in the footsteps of Canada. As noted in the 2017-18 Budget, Australia will increase its Refugee and Humanitarian Programme to provide 16,250 places in 2017-18 and 18

By Khanh Hoang

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Weekend catch-up: The Lowy Institute Poll, Saudi succession, PNG elections and more

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Global Issues

#WorldRefugeeWeek: How Australians feel about refugees

Proposed citizenship test would forgo a ‘fair go for all’

The liberal order is not America’s to break

Trump has compromised climate security strategies

America sidelined, the climate caravan moves on

Majority of Australians say climate change a critical threat to Australia's vital interests

How Trump may have helped the climate cause

Migration and border policy links: Theresa May’s policy promises, private sponsorship, the global slave trade and more

With WHO's reputation on the line, much riding on the next director general

The risks and rewards of private humanitarian and refugee sponsorship

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