Which countries emerge best from the pandemic, and how the world tackles the climate crisis, will be among the defining features of global politics in the coming year.
The most important changes in Scott Morrison’s limited reshuffle are centred on two vital and controversial issues that will severely test the government in coming months.
When he ended 2019 amid literal and political smoke, it would have seemed inconceivable Scott Morrison could finish 2020 on a high. Or that he’d have reached there on the back of Australia’s worst downturn…
Australians are highly engaged on the topic, yet don’t have strong opinions either way. Among potential migrants, only Indians showed a high degree of interest in Australia as a destination.
Hongzhi Gao, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington; Ivy Guo, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington et Monica Ren, Macquarie University
The recently signed RCEP trade agreement encourages even closer ties with China, but this puts New Zealand’s long-term interests at risk.
High-power microwave weapons are useful for disabling electronics. A new report says they ‘plausibly explain’ some ailments suffered by US diplomats and CIA agents in Cuba, China and other countries.
The October launch of the “EU-US Dialogue on China” shows that the two shores of the Atlantic have come to recognise the importance of coordination and cooperation when facing up to Xi Jinping.
China’s attacks on Australia may seem over the top, but they are meant to achieve specific goals — playing to a nationalist domestic audience and making an example of Australia to the world.
The Chinese embassy has suggested the Morrison government might be trying to “stoke domestic nationalism” in its denunciation of an offensive Chinese tweet.
Chinese interference in Hong Kong’s political and legal affairs is creating uncertainty about the future of the territory as an independent business centre.