With little to no cost at home, a multi-billion “standby” loan will help restore economic confidence in a big neighbour.

In a fast and very visible way, China has sought to assume a role as a global humanitarian leader – and is succeeding.

The tempo of violence in the long-running insurgency has slowed for years, yet the virus may not stop it altogether.

Pacific Islands nations are isolated, so that helps. But Tajikistan and Turkmenistan? North Korea? Lesotho? Really?

A meditation on the region – the arena of Australia’s greatest strategic focus – puts China’s rise in historic context.

Even in self-isolation, a change is as good as a holiday. Well, sorta. Publishing will be light until Tuesday.

In the battle against the coronavirus, the first casualty is untruth.

Australia might worry about opportunistic takeover bids at home, but investment restrictions will hit the region more.

The World Health Organization has been heavily criticised for appeasing China instead of leading the Covid-19 fight.

The stabilising force of shared economic interests could be lost after the crisis, leaving the region more dangerous.

With outbreaks in the ranks and resources directed home, America’s commitments abroad will be challenged.

Infections have seen several crowded dormitories locked down and put a spotlight on the treatment of city’s builders.

Cash payments and mobilising asylum seekers with medical training are measures to help refugees survive the pandemic.

Looking towards a post–Covid-19 world, France views Australia as a key strategic partner in the region.

Strong US global leadership would be in Washington’s interests, and would counter China’s “face-mask diplomacy”.

For poorer nations, stopping a pandemic might lead to starvation. The world must be ready to help the neighbours.

Australia should urgently switch is infrastructure lending facility to a broader fund to help keep the region solvent.

A coronavirus outbreak would not only overwhelm the health system, but would deepen the country’s poverty as well.

Temporary migration is integral to Australia’s economic success story. And many of those migrants are now at risk.

Beijing seeks to capitalise and claim global leadership in fighting the virus, while Trump shows no interest at all.

Covid-19 shows the idea people triumph alone over adversity is a myth – it takes the support and resources of a society.

The Lowy Institute is using analytical tool CrowdTangle to monitor and track online messages across the region.

The government acted swiftly to lockdown, leaving the economy reeling. People are supportive – so far.

Power and rank offer no immunity to the coronavirus. What is a leader supposed to do?