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  • 1 day ago
    • France
    • Pacific Islands
    • New Caledonia

    New Caledonia’s Bougival Accord offers path beyond independence deadlock

    Denise Fisher
    Voters in the French territory must now decide at a 2026 referendum whether to accept dual citizenship and statehood within France.
  • 5 Jun 2025
    • Asean
    • France

    France seeks third way between US and China in Southeast Asia

    Céline Pajon
    The French leader sent a message of partnership but gave few concrete details on sustained engagement plans.
  • 24 Feb 2025
    • France
    • Pacific Islands
    • New Caledonia

    New Caledonia: A troubled France seeks agreement about the future

    Denise Fisher
    With local elections overdue against the backdrop of recent strife comes the latest pitch for peace.
  • 24 Jul 2024
    • France

    Rain in the Seine would be an Olympic-sized pain

    Neeraj Singh Manhas
    But the effort to clean up the famous waterway in Paris could hold international lessons.
  • 11 Jul 2024
    • France
    • Pacific Islands
    • New Caledonia

    A surprising litmus test for New Caledonia’s independence parties

    Denise Fisher
    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
    • North Korea
    • France
    • Russia
    • Ukraine
    • Human rights
    • Iran
    • Israel

    Pariah states and the Olympic Games

    Gabriela Bernal
    With the Paris Games only weeks away, the controversy around athletes from “rogue” countries is set to intensify.
  • 26 Jun 2024
    • Diplomacy
    • France
    • Global Economy
    • Global Issues

    Hope for gold: The value in the Olympics

    Jenny Gordon
    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
    • Pacific Islands
    • New Caledonia

    France’s legislative elections and complications for New Caledonia

    Denise Fisher
    There is only hope, however vain, that this move may provide space for calm reassessment of positions.
  • 14 May 2024
    • France
    • Pacific Islands
    • New Caledonia

    Violence erupts in New Caledonia as independence supporters oppose legislation in Paris

    Denise Fisher
    Macron’s plan has backfired. But there can be no sustainable solution without cooperation of all parties.
  • 16 Apr 2024
    • France
    • Pacific Islands
    • New Caledonia

    New Caledonia: Uncertainty and division intensify as Paris imposes its will

    Denise Fisher
    Work is needed now to ensure history does not repeat.
  • 11 Mar 2024
    • India
    • France

    The India-France “pas de deux” in the Indo-Pacific

    Ramesh Thakur
    Friends in need are bonding together.
  • 5 Mar 2024
    • Japan
    • Australia
    • Australia and Climate Change
    • France
    • United Kingdom
    • Climate change
    • Environment
    • Sustainability

    A role for nuclear in Australia’s climate response?

    Stephen Grenville
    In the facts-lite political debate, the opportunities and comparative advantages of solar are being sidelined.
  • 18 Dec 2023
    • France

    Postcard from Mayotte

    David Brewster
    A French Indian Ocean territory that desperately wants to stay that way.
  • 1 Dec 2023
    • Defence & Security
    • France
    • Climate change
    • Pacific Islands

    France as a convening power in the Pacific: The Nouméa SPDMM

    Céline Pajon
    A little known regional dialogue offers France and other countries a chance to contribute to the “Pacific way”.
  • 3 Oct 2023
    • France
    • Pacific Islands
    • New Caledonia

    New Caledonia: Independence leader wins French Senate seat over Macron favourite

    Denise Fisher
    An extraordinary result further complicates France’s hope of securing early agreement about the future.
  • 10 Jul 2023
    • France

    French fragmentation

    Mark Pierce
    Unpopular for peculiar reasons, Emmanuel Macron grapples with a parade of populists and a nation divided by grievance.
  • 30 Jun 2023
    • Australia
    • France

    How Australia can leverage France’s Indo-Pacific presence

    Hugh Piper , Eglantine Staunton
    A tumultuous couple of years in relations can settle to a new acceptance – seeing opportunities as well as risks.
  • 19 Jun 2023
    • France
    • New Caledonia

    Uncertainty in New Caledonia

    Denise Fisher
    France is threatening to resolve key issues on New Caledonia’s future unilaterally if local parties cannot agree.
  • 17 May 2023
    • China
    • European Union
    • France
    • Germany

    Europe’s divisions over China could hamper G-7 unity

    Dominique Fraser
    If European capitals, Brussels, and Washington are not aligned, immediate economic interests will overshadow common, long-term goals.
  • 13 Apr 2023
    • China
    • Taiwan
    • European Union
    • France

    Taiwan: Far from lost in translation, Macron said exactly what he meant

    David Vallance
    The French President’s comments are the latest example of his consistent call for Europe to set its own path.
  • 11 Apr 2023
    • France
    • Pacific Islands
    • New Caledonia

    France tightens the screws in New Caledonia

    Denise Fisher
    Pro-independence leaders believe time is on their side, but the French government sees little room for compromise.
  • 2 Feb 2023
    • Australia
    • Defence & Security
    • France

    France-Australia: Salving the wounds of AUKUS

    Eglantine Staunton
    After the crisis over the subs deal, both countries stand to benefit from a normalisation of ties.
  • 1 Feb 2023
    • Australia
    • Australian Navy
    • Defence & Security
    • France

    Marles torpedoes French subs, but is yet to explain nuclear advantage

    Sam Roggeveen
    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
    • Australia
    • Defence & Security
    • France
    • Germany
    • United Kingdom
    • United States

    France can help Albanese fix AUKUS

    Alan J. Kuperman
    Labor faces a dilemma over nuclear-powered subs and the non-proliferation regime. An old partner might offer an answer.
  • 25 Jul 2022
    • Australia
    • Defence & Security
    • France
    • Public Opinion

    France-Australia: Moving beyond AUKUS

    Eglantine Staunton
    A change of PM has certainly helped, and the latest Lowy Poll suggests no enduring damage has been done to relations.
  • 25 Jul 2022
    • New Caledonia
    • China and the Pacific
    • France

    The China factor in France’s growing engagement in the “peaceful sea”

    Denghua Zhang , Eric Frécon
    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
    • Pacific Islands
    • Australia
    • New Caledonia
    • France

    Australia can’t stay silent on decolonisation in the Pacific

    Nic Maclellan
    As Canberra and Paris repair ties, presenting France as a “Pacific country” would undermine regional independence.
  • 9 May 2022
    • Australia's Trade
    • Australia's Economy
    • European Union
    • United Kingdom
    • France

    The time is right for Australia to forge stronger ties with Europe

    Mateo Szlapek-Sewillo
    A new world has created new opportunities in energy, security and diplomacy that Canberra should grab without delay.
  • 1 Feb 2022
    • Sustainability
    • European Union
    • Climate change
    • France

    How to speak green: Europe’s new energy taxonomy

    Mateo Szlapek-Sewillo
    A stoush about sustainable energy criteria reveals tensions, anxieties – and increasing French influence.
  • 8 Dec 2021
    • Defence & Security
    • New Caledonia
    • France

    AUKUS debate “influenced France’s attitude towards New Caledonia”

    Nic Maclellan
    Local leaders – loyalists and independence advocates alike – believe the subs cancelation has coloured the French view.
  • 8 Nov 2021
    • Diplomacy
    • Australia
    • France

    Sinking trust

    Sian Troath
    Sparing between Scott Morrison and Emmanuel Macron is about more than a broken deal but the manner it was conveyed.
  • 19 Oct 2021
    • United States
    • European Union
    • France

    Europe’s time to find its superpower

    Emilian Kavalski , Nicholas Ross Smith
    AUKUS was the final reminder that European leaders need to make a break from reliance on US security on the continent.
  • 15 Oct 2021
    • Australia and the Pacific
    • France

    France-Australia: Welcome back, Your Excellency, urgent matters await

    Alexandre Dayant
    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
    • Defence & Security
    • Europe
    • Australia
    • France

    Subs: Australia’s reputation overboard

    Richard Ogier
    In Europe, and not only in France, the image of Australia has suffered a direct hit.
  • 24 Sep 2021
    • Australian Diplomacy
    • Australia and the Pacific
    • France

    AUKUS: France’s strategic outcry

    Eglantine Staunton
    After the drama of recalled ambassadors in the wake of a new Indo-Pacific strategic deal, it’s time for dialogue.
  • 21 Sep 2021
    • US Navy
    • Maritime Security
    • China-Australia Relations
    • Asia Pacific Security
    • Australian Navy
    • Asean
    • Australia and Asia
    • Australia-United States Relations
    • China
    • United Kingdom
    • France

    AUKUS and the CPTPP: It’s all about China

    Ian Hill
    Security deterrence is only one factor in the new and fast-moving geostrategic environment of the Indo-Pacific.
  • 17 Sep 2021
    • Defence & Security
    • Australia
    • France

    Sunk! France cries outrage over snubbed subs

    John Sexton
    The French president is stung, the local media in uproar, and allies are caught in the storm.
  • 2 Sep 2021
    • Defence & Security
    • Europe
    • South China Sea
    • European Union
    • Germany
    • United Kingdom
    • France

    Europe and the South China Sea 

    Loro Horta
    More warships in disputed waters may cause instability. But the presence of navies from afar sends a clear message, too.
  • 25 Jun 2021
    • Europe
    • France

    Macron’s right-wing gamble

    Lisa Louis
    The French president is betting on the far-right to boost his chances in the 2022 election.
  • 21 Jun 2021
    • Europe
    • United States
    • Russia
    • European Union
    • Germany
    • United Kingdom
    • France

    Believing Biden

    Daniel Woker
    The US President has persuaded European allies of his values-based policy. But will such faith carry home?
  • 18 Jun 2021
    • France
    • New Caledonia

    New Caledonia’s third independence referendum, and the day after

    Alexandre Dayant
    With the next – and final – ballot set for December, consequences of a Yes or No choice are becoming clear.
  • 26 May 2021
    • New Caledonia
    • France

    New Caledonia eyes final vote on independence

    Denise Fisher
    France wants to get serious about the future. But its method may prove counterproductive.
  • 17 Feb 2021
    • Europe
    • Russia
    • European Union
    • Germany
    • France

    Russia vs the EU

    Daniel Woker
    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
    • United States
    • France

    Macron and Biden: “Friends, allied, but not aligned”

    Eglantine Staunton
    After the tests of Donald Trump, the French president has flagged he will be a demanding partner for America.
  • 8 Dec 2020
    • Africa
    • France

    Artefacts paving France’s return to Africa

    Charmaine Manuel
    As its economic influence shrinks in its former territories, France is trading in a new currency: history.
  • 13 Nov 2020
    • Terrorism
    • Africa
    • France

    Jihadist attacks in Nice: The Tunisian connection

    Leila Ben Mcharek
    Hopes have been dashed for moderate Islamism to undercut dictatorships, eliminate terrorism and strengthen human rights.
  • 6 Oct 2020
    • France
    • New Caledonia

    New Caledonia: A vote lost, yet independence advocates claim a win

    Alexandre Dayant
    A closer result in the second of three possible referendums shows the territory’s future is not yet settled.
  • 14 Sep 2020
    • Bangladesh
    • India
    • Maldives
    • Sri Lanka
    • Australia
    • France
    • Climate change

    Tackling environmental security threats in the Indian Ocean

    David Brewster
    A “Quad-Plus” could bring together regional expertise and resources to address issues of collective interest.
  • 15 Jul 2020
    • New Caledonia
    • France

    Another independence referendum looms in New Caledonia

    Jon Fraenkel , Anthony Tutugoro
    The Covid-19 crisis has been a major controversy, but almost every issue is divided on pro- and anti-independence lines.
  • 7 Apr 2020
    • Defence & Security
    • Australia
    • France
    • Coronavirus

    A French perspective on Australia’s role in the Indian Ocean

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