The Trump Presidency
America’s two doctrines
“The United States now has two competing national security doctrines – Trump’s and that of his national security team.”
That’s Tom Wright from the Brookings Institution (and a…
Asia’s escalating missile race
If the Cold War was one long arms race, the modern era could be accurately described as an arms jog. Countries are defined less by how many nuclear warheads they have,…
Washington's weak hand to play in Syria
With the change of administration in Washington came new clarity about US policy on Syria. The admirable, short-term aim was to defeat ISIS.
The Syrian Democratic…
Commentary
Canberra looks for new bridges over troubled waters
Faced with a distracted US and an increasingly assertive China, Australia needs, more than ever, friends and partners in the region. Originally published in the Straits Times.Euan…
Economic diplomacy brief: Trump turns global, Pacific aid, Chinese tourism, and more
Davos men
With the North Korean nuclear threat seemingly sidelined until after the Winter Olympics at least, this geopolitical year is starting in a curiously similar way to last…
Congress considers the Iran nuclear deal
The US Congress could scuttle the nuclear deal with Iran this week. But it's unlikely to do so.
Donald Trump has railed against the deal since his campaign. In a speech on…
Trump and the Russian ‘Wilderness of Mirrors’
Truth and Russian affairs do not sit comfortably together. Churchill observed in 1939 that Russia is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma, and we find ourselves today…
Commentary
Foreign Policy White Paper: Does reality match our ambitions?
Originally published in the Australian Financial Review.Michael Fullilove
Trump's coming hard line on China
US President Donald Trump’s first visit to Beijing was an exhibition of mutual flattery. China rolled out the red carpet for what it termed a 'state visit plus', replete with…
Commentary
Trump exhumes the Quad
Originally published in the Australian Financial Review.
James Curran