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.
Najib charged, Mahathir wins
If and when Najib is found guilty, it will send a powerful signal of accountability to Malaysia and the region.
Sulawesi tsunami: how Australia can best help
A rapid response with cash, immediate and unconditional, is often most effective aid in the wake of natural disaster.
Weekend catch-up: China's Taiwan charm offensive
DFAT's soft power review, Indian Ocean airports and the Indonesian rupiah: the week that was on The Interpreter.
Time to fill the big hole in US-Australia ties
Arguments that Australia can relax about not having a US ambassador put a brave face on what is a missed opportunity.
Not just a pretty place: Australia’s soft power
Australia's soft power review should focus on diaspora and international audiences, not indices.
A bittersweet victory for Prime Minister Abe
Shinzo Abe was re-elected leader of the LDP but faces serious political and policy challenges in his final term.
Economic diplomacy: Indonesia, climate and Abe
Will Shinzo Abe be seen as a genuinely historic Japanese leader?
India's game-changing health care initiative
Modicare could have wide-ranging economic and social benefits, but where will the money come from?
Death of a president: no power vacuum in Vietnam
Tran Dai Quang’s tenure highlighted the weakness of the presidency among Hanoi's top political leaders.
Aid links: African debt, Taxify and more
How can China improve its development aid reputation in Africa?
China’s ‘divide and conquer’ charm offensive
China’s creeping influence in Taiwan’s democracy is a prelude of what a possible ‘Chinese Century’ might look like.
EU and Iran push back against US sanctions
The sight of the EU and Iran jointly announcing a plan to blunt a signature US initiative must infuriate Washington.
Idlib: Catastrophe averted
As long as Turkey controls a viable anti-Assad force, it has leverage to dictate any Idlib settlement.
Exploring Taiwan’s aid to the Pacific
Per capita, Taiwan spends more than twice as much as China on Pacific aid.
Australia is dodging its terrorism obligations
Revoking the citizenship of dual nationals who fight with Islamic State contravenes Australia's obligation to prosecute.
Air traffic control: China and India compete
Competition over critical infrastructure isn’t just confined to ports. Access to airfields is just as important.
The Chinese box office dilemma
Chinese film audiences are growing, but box office data is being manipulated to promote underperforming domestic films.
Restoring Australia's Pacific media presence
The worst fate for Australia is not to be heard. Let’s hope the new ABC Managing Director agrees.