David Banks, American University School of International Service
War games let you test your political and military acumen right at your kitchen table – while also helping you appreciate how decision-makers are limited by the choices of others.
As rival factions vie for control over Venezuela, many of the country’s 31 million people are suffering prolonged power outages, food and water shortages, and limited access to medicine.
Whoever forms the next government should increase investment in foreign affairs and trade, finding ways to make Australia more prominent in global dispute resolution.
Pope Francis has been a staunch voice for a world free of nuclear weapons. But should he be involved in defence politics at all? And how does the Pope’s message resonate among the European public?
Margaret Re, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Knoll is best known for transforming the design of America’s corporate offices. But she was also on the front lines of a State Department effort to promote American ingenuity and capitalism abroad.
Jamal Khashoggi’s brutal murder happened at a consulate, a space not subject to the laws of the host country, Turkey. That means the alleged murderers did not fear interference by local authorities.
The high-profile absence of several world leaders including Trump from the World Economic Forum has led some to suggest its influence is in decline. A philosopher who has seen Davos up close disagrees.
Eric Stern, University at Albany, State University of New York
The significant churn in the Trump administration has caused confusion in foreign policymaking. In contrast, Bush’s presidency was marked by collegiality, which contributed to many successes.
Despite agreeing to a ceasefire, the two sides offered differing depictions of their trade war truce that show a lasting peace may still be out of reach.
Hangga Fathana, Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII) Yogyakarta
If their trade deal is delayed, this will not only create a huge loss for the Australian and Indonesian economies but also change foreign policy dynamics between the two countries.
Climate policy is clearly a threat to the job security of Australian prime ministers, but it could upend our international diplomacy as well, with a string of key summits looming in coming months.
Hangga Fathana, Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII) Yogyakarta
Indonesian media’s coverage of Scott Morrison’s appointment as Australia’s new Prime Minister signals increased public awareness of Australian politics.