Luke Dawes
Biography
Publications
Luke was formerly a diplomat at the Australian Embassy in Iran, and also worked on consular, North Asia, and Pacific issues at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He holds a Bachelor of Languages and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.), and has previously written on Central Asia for the Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA). The opinions expressed are his own.
![Low Earth orbit: The next frontier](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/2023-06/Space%20junk%20comp.jpg?itok=fnNw3C2K)
Low Earth orbit: The next frontier
A new book explores how power plays in space are destined to become an extension of cold geopolitical logic.
![Brexit: the Northern Ireland conundrum](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/GettyImages-1061462336.jpg?itok=X0tglHOY)
Brexit: the Northern Ireland conundrum
In a break from the past, Sinn Fein should take up its long empty seats in Westminster and offer a key to negotiations.
![The pointy end for the Melanesian Spearhead Group](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/newcaledonia_etm_10may01_geo-min.jpg?itok=M6aSSGOE)
The pointy end for the Melanesian Spearhead Group
The forum has past success in mediating bitter disputes, but faces a sharp test with regional independence movements.
![How political crisis in Armenia could upset Russia and Turkey in Syria](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/26276252854_425c0e0c56_kmini.jpg?itok=Vy3Ojw61)
How political crisis in Armenia could upset Russia and Turkey in Syria
The future of a fragile ceasefire over an unresolved conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh could in turn have broad strategic implications.
![Tajikistan and Uzbekistan: a welcome but fragile thaw](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/UZBK%20TAJK.jpg?itok=6EbTuP24)
Tajikistan and Uzbekistan: a welcome but fragile thaw
The signs of warming relations between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are built on the friendship between two authoritarian rulers.