12 Sep 2023
Amid great power visits, don’t underestimate middle power cooperation
With Vietnam supercharging its relationship with the United States, Australia may be next.
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31 Aug 2023
Economic diplomacy: Spirit of Australia charts a fresh course
The government is fashioning a more interventionist economic leg to the new amity between its aid policy, regional diplomacy and military spending. -
21 Jul 2023
Nobody ever teaches anyone how to be a Minister
At the heart of Australia’s Westminster democracy is an eclectic, eccentric, DIY political system. -
13 Mar 2023
Taking Australian statecraft from good to great
To remain effective in Asia, Canberra must do more with less, multiplying the effects of its bureaucratic tools. -
24 Jan 2023
Reality-checking the democracy agenda
Indonesia presents valuable lessons in Australia’s support for democracy in the Asia-Pacific. -
28 Nov 2022
Confident, competent, inconsistent: Australia’s strategic personality
Canberra’s report card receives a solid “pleasing result” on Southeast Asia, but a “could do better” on the Pacific. -
29 Aug 2022
The merits of transactionalism
Seeking deeper relationships doesn’t always best serve the national interest. -
9 Aug 2022
There must be a better way: Australia’s diplomatic appointments
Transparency in deciding who gets to represent the country abroad can only be a benefit. -
8 Aug 2022
The opportunities of cross-public service diplomacy
Collaborations between Australia and its regional partners on skills, knowledge and capacity offer a win-win scenario. -
26 Jul 2022
The future is female, but women in diplomacy still under-represented
It’s two steps forward, one step back for gender parity in Australian international relations. -
26 Jul 2022
Wong’s own brand of diplomacy: will it work?
Australia’s new foreign minister has a complicated road ahead in convincing Southeast Asia she’s a conduit for change. -
11 May 2022
Resetting Australia’s relationship with the Pacific – three ideas
Listen, for a start. Getting down to granular, person-to-person engagement is needed for effective regional diplomacy. -
16 Mar 2022
Australian cricket’s soft power opportunity
A hat trick of factors calls for all-round success, and a recognition of bigger issues, including gender equality. -
27 Sep 2021
Dankeschön Frau Merkel
A former Australian ambassador to Germany reflects on the Chancellor’s significant impact in the Indo-Pacific. -
24 Sep 2021
AUKUS: France’s strategic outcry
After the drama of recalled ambassadors in the wake of a new Indo-Pacific strategic deal, it’s time for dialogue. -
9 Jul 2021
The changing face of Australia’s diplomatic network
A stocktake shows rising political appointments but Australia’s heads of mission now far better reflect the population. -
18 May 2021
A rare test of China diplomacy
Australia and New Zealand provide a case for whether it pays to be nice – or if it’s simply not worth bothering. -
12 May 2021
Andrew Peacock’s Timor legacy
Remembered as a principled defender of human rights, the late foreign minister took a different tack with Suharto. -
9 Apr 2021
Economic diplomacy: Global tax, education exports and Team Australia
Levelling the field with a global minimum tax, rethinking student fee revenue, and getting APEC back in the room. -
7 Oct 2020
A budget of skewed priorities
As Australia faces one of the most challenging international environments in a century, it still skimps on diplomacy. -
16 Jul 2020
Devaluing DFAT
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has long got the short end of the stick. Why? -
25 May 2020
How is an advanced Australia faring in the Asian century?
The power of proximity has long surpassed the “tyranny of distance” in Australian trade relations. -
4 May 2020
Notes on representing Australia in Papua New Guinea
A former High Commissioner to PNG reflects on the “high highs and low lows” of serving in a unique diplomatic role. -
16 Sep 2019
On China, principles vs pragmatism
Australia needs to consider its moments to push human rights issues with its largest trading partner. -
28 May 2019
From fill-in to full-time Foreign Minister
Marise Payne’s experience in defence and security has been obvious, but what more will drive her diplomacy? -
25 Oct 2018
Australian energy diplomacy
Implemented correctly, Australia could achieve some of its foreign policy goals through its energy exports. -
6 Jul 2018
“Patrons” of the alliance and the missing mates
<p>Australia’s public diplomacy is not advanced by excluding women and failing to recognise diversity.</p> -
19 Dec 2017
George Brandis, His Excellency, is still hostage to Malcolm Turnbull
Any political truce over diplomatic appointments looks to have ended. A change of government should mean politicians-turned-diplomats resign. -
25 Oct 2017
Is there a model Human Rights Council member?
In some ways the Council is like a pre-school: it's more about effort to improve than actual performance. -
18 Sep 2017
Using economic diplomacy to reduce financial risks in Asia
The IMF will remain important, particularly for dealing with deeper crises. But it risks becoming less central and an increasingly last resort. -
13 Sep 2017
Digital diplomacy’s downsides
E-diplomacy has coarsened public diplomacy. For international leaders and their diplomats, it may be time for a screen break. -
16 Mar 2017
Can economic and security analysts find a lingua franca?
The Foreign Policy White Paper will need to address the way economic and security analysts often talk past each other in the Australian policymaking space. -
20 Feb 2017
Networks and narratives: Public diplomacy in the DFAT White Paper
Australia has a powerful 'strategic narrative' that is a potent source of soft power. But it's increasingly difficult for this story to be heard. -
15 Feb 2017
Seeking clarity in Australian foreign policy
We need to align our ends and means, and engage in practical, tough-minded diplomacy directed at making a difference. -
25 Jan 2017
Including the first Australians in Australian diplomacy
Left to their own devices, institutions tend to over-represent white males compared to every other demographic. -
12 Dec 2016
Digital diplomacy @DFAT
A successful digital media strategy may result in diplomats becoming less prominent. -
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