China: how big tech is learning to love the party
The Communist Party has cemented its presence in leading tech firms, heralding a new age for private companies.
Australia’s Israel-Palestine conflict
This is actually one of those rare issues in Australian foreign policy where the two major parties quite often disagree.
Fiji and human rights, the limits of influence
Why was a violator elected to a body responsible for protecting human rights?
Japan’s complicated relationship with coal power
While banks back away from coal, political and safety concerns about nuclear power are pushing Tokyo towards it.
Decoding the bombshell story for China
Right or wrong, claims Beijing hacked computer chips has accelerated a push to cut out China from US supply chains.
The corridor of power
The remote Wakhan Corridor in Afghanistan was central to the Silk Road, Great Game, and Cold War – now China has plans.
Reconciling with China in the Pacific
To overcome suspicion, Australia should work to reshape the multilateral system for better global collaboration on aid.
What should Australia do about Saudi Arabia?
If Saudi complicity in the death of Jamal Khashoggi is shown, Canberra must make a stand to express disgust.
Shifting sands in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is being drained of it’s language, freedom of speech, and now it’s surrounding seas. Is a brain-drain next?
Encryption does not create privilege
Eavesdropping, colloquially, has a bad name, but when justified by law and properly regulated, what’s the objection?
Weekend catch-up: Xi Jinping takes to TV, and more
UN explains rising temperatures, missing Saudi journalist, Pence challenges China: The week that was on The Interpreter.
Realigning the Australian Army
The army is preparing for new challenges on the battlefield. It should align it's strategy with that of the White Paper.
End the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war
The 2018 Nobel Peace Prize is a message to countries to investigate and prosecute conflict related sexual violence.
See the difference: CGTN’s Australian gambit
China’s broadcasters are spruiking, but overseas propaganda is more to benefit bosses back in Beijing.
Courting supreme mistrust
Where India’s Supreme Court has grown in stature, partisan bickering may undermine the US Supreme Court for years.
Economic diplomacy: Australia abroad, China’s cash
Australia has a new way to count Chinese foreign investment, underlining how this has become a vexed policy issue.
Facing ghosts of the past in Bougainville
Post-war justice has been elusive, but until grievances are confronted, the consequences of impunity can be deadly.
Mind the gap: views of security in the Pacific
An emphasis on “non-traditional” issues in the islands should not discount Canberra’s legitimate geostrategic concerns.
Missing in action: India’s aircraft carriers
How is it that an Indian aircraft carrier has never been employed in a conflict?
What to do about a warming planet
The IPCC report warns fundamental change on such a large scale will be difficult, but the alternative shapes as worse.
Not (yet?) a European Army
Untangling the abbreviations is always a challenge, but a gradual shift is evident in the quest for common security.
A balancing act for IMF’s new Chief Economist
The challenge will be to find the line in-between economics and diplomacy in an organisation dictated by tradition.
Aid links: river relief, ranking helpers, more
Support for South Sudan, ticking clock on climate change, plus links and stories from the aid and development sector.
Australia-PNG: relationships are what matter
The size of the aid cheque is no where near as significant as personal connections and sustained neighbourly attention.
Xi Jinping Thought, beaming live tonight
A new show aimed at millennials aims to bring Xi Thought to a new generation and make socialism kind of cool.
Food for thought: Sulawesi’s “healing kitchens”
Local women immediately saw getting food to survivors was practical help in the chaos after the devastating disaster.
New Caledonia: the independence vote looms
France has offered a measured and balanced explanation of consequences for the decision next month, whether yes or no.
Will geopolitics trump trade?
Ships and chips and an adversarial strategy exacerbate the likelihood of a Sino-American trade war.
A slap in the face for diverse diplomacy
Unmarried, same-sex partners of foreign diplomats have 30 days to get married or face deportation from the US.
Where’s Jamal?
The bizarre disappearance of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi could complicate Saudi relations with the West.
Pence on China: reviving a neoconservative dream
What amounts to bringing about the “end of history” by repetition has been a persistent temptation for neocons.
Turning the dial on international broadcasting
Australia may think it has been silenced but there are avenues for it to increase the volume in the Pacific.
Weekend catch-up: recovery in Sulawesi, more
Trump "in love" with Kim, NAFTA to USMCA, and a military base in Fiji: the week that was on The Interpreter.
Japan’s advice to Australia to co-exist with China
Stay firm and don’t be swayed by Beijing’s emotional accusations should be Shinzo Abe’s lessons for Scott Morrison.
Out of balance: Pakistan’s economic crisis
The solution should be simple: fix the budget and promote sustainable business growth. If only.
“Chinese rice bowl!” Backing state-run enterprise
Xi Jinping toured northeast China to assure troubled conglomerates and push self-reliance in the face of a US trade war.
Vale the Ambassador?
More than two years have passed since Australia had a permanent US ambassador. Is this indicative of a wider trend?
India’s airlines take off and hit turbulence
Affordability is not always matched by rigorous safety for the world’s fastest growing air travel market.
The nuclear weapons ban treaty, one year on
It is perfectly understandable to want the elimination of nuclear weapons, but how many have actually read the treaty?
The danger of mission creep in Syria
American troops went to support locals to defeat ISIS, but staying until Iranian forces withdraw is a different goal.
Australia outbids China to fund Fiji military base
Australia’s win in Nadi could signal an end to Bainimara’s “Look North” policy, which reoriented Fiji toward China.
Fawning and flummery winning over love-sick Donald
A Korean deal based on flattering Donald Trump as a useful idiot will not hold.
Pacific links: Fiji finally sets a date, more
Fighting tuberculosis in PNG, navy base plans, and stories from the Pacific islands region.
NAFTA to USMCA – what’s in a name?
In terms of the three members, Washington has come out on top – but this does not make it a “good” deal for the US.
Hun Sen at the UN: a strategic appearance
Cambodia’s took to the world stage in New York, with comments to dismiss critics and target an audience at home.
Boe Declaration: navigating an uncertain Pacific
Leaders agreed on an “expanded concept of security” to cope with threats the Pacific faces today and will face tomorrow.
Post-war justice in Sri Lanka inches forward
The Office of Missing Persons was set up to investigate civil war “disappearances”, but its efficacy remains to be seen.
Bangladesh: the latest assault on free speech
It’s not too late to stop a new law that would give extraordinary and sweeping powers of repression to authorities.
Indian migrants in Australia find political voice
Not all migrants will be vocal about racism, but what is not recorded by polls might still register in a secret ballot.
Germany: A tale of two conservatisms
Merkel is facing a slow moving political crisis caused by a schism between mainstream and far-right conservatism.