24 Feb 2025
New Caledonia: A troubled France seeks agreement about the future
With local elections overdue against the backdrop of recent strife comes the latest pitch for peace.
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24 Jul 2024
Rain in the Seine would be an Olympic-sized pain
But the effort to clean up the famous waterway in Paris could hold international lessons. -
11 Jul 2024
A surprising litmus test for New Caledonia’s independence parties
The French election saw New Caledonia’s independence parties attain an overall majority in the first territory-wide poll since the 2018–21 referendums. -
2 Jul 2024
Pariah states and the Olympic Games
With the Paris Games only weeks away, the controversy around athletes from “rogue” countries is set to intensify. -
26 Jun 2024
Hope for gold: The value in the Olympics
An economic case is hard to make. Reputational risks abound. Yet hosts want the Games, and that’s no bad thing. -
12 Jun 2024
France’s legislative elections and complications for New Caledonia
There is only hope, however vain, that this move may provide space for calm reassessment of positions. -
14 May 2024
Violence erupts in New Caledonia as independence supporters oppose legislation in Paris
Macron’s plan has backfired. But there can be no sustainable solution without cooperation of all parties. -
16 Apr 2024
New Caledonia: Uncertainty and division intensify as Paris imposes its will
Work is needed now to ensure history does not repeat. -
11 Mar 2024
The India-France “pas de deux” in the Indo-Pacific
Friends in need are bonding together. -
5 Mar 2024
A role for nuclear in Australia’s climate response?
In the facts-lite political debate, the opportunities and comparative advantages of solar are being sidelined. -
18 Dec 2023
Postcard from Mayotte
A French Indian Ocean territory that desperately wants to stay that way. -
1 Dec 2023
France as a convening power in the Pacific: The Nouméa SPDMM
A little known regional dialogue offers France and other countries a chance to contribute to the “Pacific way”. -
3 Oct 2023
New Caledonia: Independence leader wins French Senate seat over Macron favourite
An extraordinary result further complicates France’s hope of securing early agreement about the future. -
10 Jul 2023
French fragmentation
Unpopular for peculiar reasons, Emmanuel Macron grapples with a parade of populists and a nation divided by grievance. -
30 Jun 2023
How Australia can leverage France’s Indo-Pacific presence
A tumultuous couple of years in relations can settle to a new acceptance – seeing opportunities as well as risks. -
19 Jun 2023
Uncertainty in New Caledonia
France is threatening to resolve key issues on New Caledonia’s future unilaterally if local parties cannot agree. -
17 May 2023
Europe’s divisions over China could hamper G-7 unity
If European capitals, Brussels, and Washington are not aligned, immediate economic interests will overshadow common, long-term goals. -
13 Apr 2023
Taiwan: Far from lost in translation, Macron said exactly what he meant
The French President’s comments are the latest example of his consistent call for Europe to set its own path. -
11 Apr 2023
France tightens the screws in New Caledonia
Pro-independence leaders believe time is on their side, but the French government sees little room for compromise. -
2 Feb 2023
France-Australia: Salving the wounds of AUKUS
After the crisis over the subs deal, both countries stand to benefit from a normalisation of ties. -
1 Feb 2023
Marles torpedoes French subs, but is yet to explain nuclear advantage
For such a high-stakes and expensive enterprise the public deserves to know not just what boats we’re getting, but why. -
27 Jul 2022
France can help Albanese fix AUKUS
Labor faces a dilemma over nuclear-powered subs and the non-proliferation regime. An old partner might offer an answer. -
25 Jul 2022
France-Australia: Moving beyond AUKUS
A change of PM has certainly helped, and the latest Lowy Poll suggests no enduring damage has been done to relations. -
25 Jul 2022
The China factor in France’s growing engagement in the “peaceful sea”
A step-up by Paris in the Indo-Pacific is evidence that it aims for a pragmatic third path in the region. -
30 May 2022
Australia can’t stay silent on decolonisation in the Pacific
As Canberra and Paris repair ties, presenting France as a “Pacific country” would undermine regional independence. -
9 May 2022
The time is right for Australia to forge stronger ties with Europe
A new world has created new opportunities in energy, security and diplomacy that Canberra should grab without delay. -
1 Feb 2022
How to speak green: Europe’s new energy taxonomy
A stoush about sustainable energy criteria reveals tensions, anxieties – and increasing French influence. -
8 Dec 2021
AUKUS debate “influenced France’s attitude towards New Caledonia”
Local leaders – loyalists and independence advocates alike – believe the subs cancelation has coloured the French view. -
8 Nov 2021
Sinking trust
Sparing between Scott Morrison and Emmanuel Macron is about more than a broken deal but the manner it was conveyed. -
19 Oct 2021
Europe’s time to find its superpower
AUKUS was the final reminder that European leaders need to make a break from reliance on US security on the continent. -
15 Oct 2021
France-Australia: Welcome back, Your Excellency, urgent matters await
AUKUS was a blow to Australia’s French romance but the Pacific region needs the two regional powers to kiss and make up. -
11 Oct 2021
Subs: Australia’s reputation overboard
In Europe, and not only in France, the image of Australia has suffered a direct hit. -
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. -
21 Sep 2021
AUKUS and the CPTPP: It’s all about China
Security deterrence is only one factor in the new and fast-moving geostrategic environment of the Indo-Pacific. -
17 Sep 2021
Sunk! France cries outrage over snubbed subs
The French president is stung, the local media in uproar, and allies are caught in the storm. -
2 Sep 2021
Europe and the South China Sea
More warships in disputed waters may cause instability. But the presence of navies from afar sends a clear message, too. -
25 Jun 2021
Macron’s right-wing gamble
The French president is betting on the far-right to boost his chances in the 2022 election. -
21 Jun 2021
Believing Biden
The US President has persuaded European allies of his values-based policy. But will such faith carry home? -
18 Jun 2021
New Caledonia’s third independence referendum, and the day after
With the next – and final – ballot set for December, consequences of a Yes or No choice are becoming clear. -
26 May 2021
New Caledonia eyes final vote on independence
France wants to get serious about the future. But its method may prove counterproductive. -
17 Feb 2021
Russia vs the EU
A visit to Moscow by Europe’s top envoy did nothing to calm a growing diplomatic spat. What if Washington weighs in? -
3 Feb 2021
Macron and Biden: “Friends, allied, but not aligned”
After the tests of Donald Trump, the French president has flagged he will be a demanding partner for America. -
8 Dec 2020
Artefacts paving France’s return to Africa
As its economic influence shrinks in its former territories, France is trading in a new currency: history. -
13 Nov 2020
Jihadist attacks in Nice: The Tunisian connection
Hopes have been dashed for moderate Islamism to undercut dictatorships, eliminate terrorism and strengthen human rights. -
6 Oct 2020
New Caledonia: A vote lost, yet independence advocates claim a win
A closer result in the second of three possible referendums shows the territory’s future is not yet settled. -
14 Sep 2020
Tackling environmental security threats in the Indian Ocean
A “Quad-Plus” could bring together regional expertise and resources to address issues of collective interest. -
15 Jul 2020
Another independence referendum looms in New Caledonia
The Covid-19 crisis has been a major controversy, but almost every issue is divided on pro- and anti-independence lines. -
7 Apr 2020
A French perspective on Australia’s role in the Indian Ocean
Looking towards a post–Covid-19 world, France views Australia as a key strategic partner in the region. -
16 Oct 2019
New Caledonia decides the timing of its second independence referendum
Loyalists and independence groups are staking out positions, with another two votes now likely. -
27 Sep 2019
Jacques Chirac and the Pacific
The French president’s engagement with the country’s overseas territories leaves a legacy of promise and betrayal.