Today
Japan’s China paradox has lessons for Australia
Japan’s new prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, wants a more equal relationship with the US. That could spell trouble as Tokyo confronts the “deep threat” from China.
- James Curran
This Month
- Opinion
- US election
Why Democrats are nervous about Harris campaign
Behind all the US campaign razzmatazz, there is apprehension at the seemingly stalled momentum of the vice president’s reinvention to become their candidate.
- Jennifer Hewett
- Opinion
- Defence spending
How a sunken ship underlines our hollow defence preparedness
The loss of a New Zealand naval vessel reflects the same decline of niche maritime capability that Australia suffers from.
- Jennifer Parker
- Opinion
- Political leadership
Anthony Albanese has yet to grow into the prime minister’s job
The prime minister is a political operator rather than a visionary. His inability to persuade and sustain arguments is beginning to show.
- James Curran
- Analysis
- Middle East tensions
Beware the unintended consequences of Middle East escalation
As tensions between Washington and Tel Aviv flare again, the broader geopolitical consequences of the crisis remain difficult to discern.
- James Curran
Respectful remembrance shows peace is possible
Readers’ letters on ending conflict in the Middle East; Coalition attacks on the government; ASIC’s action against AustralianSuper; nuclear power; and respect for Baby Boomers.
- Opinion
- China relations
The unresolved tension at the core of Australia’s strategic policy
Australia wants to constrain China, but without tying itself to America’s own ambitions and all that might mean.
- Peter Varghese
- Analysis
- Asia-Pacific
Japan’s ‘Asian NATO’ shot down by allies
The plan, first floated by new Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba, would involve more formal military and strategic cooperation between north and South-East Asian countries.
- James Curran
- Opinion
- Middle East conflict
Netanyahu’s fight to be tested in a dangerous world
The risk of greater conflagration in the Middle East is keeping the world on edge, and Australia is no exception.
- Jennifer Hewett
- Opinion
- Foreign relations
How the new Japanese PM’s ambition for an Asian NATO was scuttled
Shigeru Ishiba set diplomatic pulses racing with his proposal, but the idea has been just as quickly shelved.
- James Curran
New Zealand Navy ship sinks off Samoa, all 75 on board safe
A Royal New Zealand Navy vessel ran aground and sank off Samoa but all 75 crew and passengers on board were safe, the New Zealand Defence Force says.
- Lucy Craymer
- Opinion
- Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Israel-Iran war would be a deadly mess for everyone
A true regional war could crack the global economy, kill tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians, wreak diplomatic chaos and draw Washington into something it very much wants to avoid.
- James Stavridis
- Opinion
- US election
No more weird: Vance remakes the Trump campaign record
J.D. Vance wanted to come across as a nice guy while making Donald Trump’s policies sound sensible. The real nice guy, Tim Walz, tried to challenge that but it was too little, too late.
- Jennifer Hewett
- Opinion
- Foreign relations
Where middle Australia meets the Middle East
Israel’s push into Lebanon ensures a greater fraying of any complacency about this country’s claims to enjoy enduring social cohesion over generations of immigrants.
- Jennifer Hewett
September
- Analysis
- Middle East tensions
Why Netanyahu is Harris’ election nightmare
The Israeli prime minister continues to thumb his nose at Washington, and a wider war might well be the very October surprise Kamala Harris fears.
- James Curran
- Opinion
- ASEAN
Australia is on the map but not on the minds of South-East Asia
Greater economic engagement with South-East Asia is needed not only for Australia’s sustained prosperity but also for its political clout as a bona fide Asian power.
- Kyung-wha Kang
- Opinion
- US politics
America’s first post-election task is rebuilding its credibility
The election remains Trump’s to lose. But the chaos that might follow if he doesn’t win is now concentrating minds among US regional allies.
- James Curran
- Opinion
- US politics
Would Trump or Harris keep the US out of new wars?
Trump wants to end the conflict in Ukraine but would have fewer guardrails in office. However, Harris might take a harder line on China than we think.
- James Curran
- Opinion
- US election
Kamala Harris hits Donald Trump where it hurts
Kamala Harris and the Democrats will expect a polling bump after she hit Donald Trump hard and he failed to land many blows. But will that be enough?
- Jennifer Hewett
- Opinion
- Penny Wong
Australia’s forked tongue foreign policy
At least the Americans discern no contradiction in Australian strategic policy, but the government continues to contort its messaging.
- James Curran
