Declining birth rates, growing elderly populations and notable gender gaps in workforce participation are just some reasons for reform across the region.

Last-minute extension stretches deadline for national climate plans to later this year, raising hopes for stronger pledges

With US aid disappearing, a new report shows Australia has a chance to align development cooperation with the region’s challenges and Australia’s strengths.

From defended assets to arsenal ships, armed merchant vessels offer opportunities for Canberra.

Trump’s obsession with getting the deal and an interest in resuming talks with Kim Jong Un all spell trouble for human rights.

The Southeast Asian grouping has made strides in gender equality but a female leader would be an important step.

Imagine a sleek, shadowy form of statecraft, no longer bound by flags but by fibre optics.

And other hints for a president – or foreign minister – to write their own talking points

The ever-growing role of technology in our everyday lives underscores the need for policy and cultural change to ensure the best minds are at work.

Australian soldiers are tough, well equipped, well trained and well led. But this would be a mission like no other.

The character of international politics is vastly different, now to then.

Quiet rather than “megaphone” diplomacy will help Delhi and Dhaka forge a mutually beneficial relationship.

With countries each following their own procedures, a diplomatic initiative would be to work towards international agreement on the minimum notice required for live-fire exercises.

Otherwise, the bears win.

Organised feminist activism is nearly impossible in China in 2025, but Chinese women are still talking.

Australia needs to be prepared not just for the missile power of China's fleet today, but how it will look in a decade.

The first comprehensive talks in four years at least sees the parties together in the restive territory.

The task for Western aid is not to rebuild what existed before, but to reduce dependency altogether.

Hate against women is often the precursor to radicalisation and mass violence. It’s time to address the connection.

US talks with the Taliban during Trump 1.0 undercut the nascent Afghan democracy in favour of a “deal”.

The US President has joined the standover merchants.

There is a deep-seated hostility from Trump and Vance towards Zelenskyy that defies short term fixes – so the test of courage falls to other Western leaders.

Australia’s retirement savings pool is an important new economic relations lever, but it can only be rolled out so many times.

With political disillusionment at all-time highs, how we speak about purpose in the world matters.

With policy design in flux, a five-step plan could drive innovation and private-public cooperation on vital resources.

Moscow has increasingly looked to Southeast Asia for friends, even as distance and sanctions hamper ties.

Starmer’s announcement is another demonstration of a narrowing perception of global security.

The race to save the world’s most trafficked creature is more of a national security challenge than solely a conservation question.

An intangible mix of competency, honesty and commitment is the glue that holds politics, economies and societies together.

The changing character of war may mean fighting more than just one type of war against one type of adversary.

Democracy, peace and cooperation don’t happen by accident. Will the EU continue to defy Europe’s violent history?

Of all the online sources of misinformation and abuse, there are some top offenders.

There are five basic requirements for successful military-to-military cooperation. Australia is already ahead of the game.

It is becoming more difficult and less predictable to identify the ideological bases motivating violent action.

As the superpowers vie for tech supremacy, Asia must play the usual juggling act.

Faced with the collapse of the treasured old Atlanticist certainties, Merz’s priority will be to create unity in Europe.

With realpolitik back on the menu, there are serious implications for the Indo-Pacific.

Neighbours often have more complications than distant friends.

Reflections on the quality of sending a message.

With local elections overdue against the backdrop of recent strife comes the latest pitch for peace.

Provocations such as the PLA’s weapons drills are the moments when Australia must channel its unique geographical power.

The prospect of a minority government might lend some minor players a major role.

A budget battle is shaping, and perhaps not in the direction expected.

To dismiss the parallels of voter dissatisfaction in Australia outright would be a mistake.

The 2025 midterm election is primed to be a proxy war between the Marcos and Duterte clans, and a prelude to the 2028 presidential race.

The ructions in the Western alliance this past week will advance Moscow’s long-term security objectives

Donald Trump alone can’t decide its future.

And that means overcoming financial and cultural barriers to participation.

The profound implications of quantum computing for global power and security are upon us right now.

Provocation was the point – then, and now.