Julia Gillard’s visit to Papua New Guinea – including meeting PM Peter O'Neill – yielded little in advancing Australian or regional causes.
AAP/Eoin Blackwell
Prime minister Julia Gillard returned from her first official visit to Australia’s nearest neighbour and former colony Papua New Guinea (PNG) on Saturday with little to show for it.
Reports of the visit…
President Obama leaves Marine One. Is the US still the leading power in the world?
EPA/Joshua Roberts
In the current American presidential debate, Republican Mitt Romney has criticised President Barrack Obama for his reputedly timid approach to the Middle East.
He has promised to restore American leadership…
The administration of Barack Obama – seated here with South African President Jacob Zuma – has been criticised for not focusing more foreign policy attention on Africa.
EPA/Olivier Douliery
This year’s US presidential election has been notable for the lack of focus on foreign policy issues by either candidate.
Certainly Mitt Romney, the Republican candidate, has attempted to gain traction…
West Papuan activists protesting at the Hague for independence of the Indonesian-held province.
Apdency/Wikimedia Commons
Allegations that Australia is funding death squads in West Papua have brought the troubled province back to Australian attention.
Blanket denials by both Indonesian and Australian governments – standard…
US President Barack Obama with Prime Minister Julia Gillard on his first trip to Australia in November last year.
AAP/Alan Porritt
Brendan O'Connor from the University of Sydney discusses the foreign policy implications for Australia, Iran and China ahead of the US presidential elections, produced in collaboration with SBS Online…
Tony Abbott is seeking credibility on foreign policy issues, but his recent rhetoric on China has done him few favours.
AAP
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott’s recent overseas trip to help burnish his international credentials has revealed more of the potential direction of the Coalition’s foreign policy. Following his visit…
An article in the New Statesman reports that Taliban have signalled their willingness to negotiate an end to the conflict in Afghanistan.
The current situation in Afghanistan is a dramatic example of the old adage that all foreign policy is merely an extension of domestic politics.
Last week, the British weekly, New Statesman, reported…
The coalition needs to tread more lightly when it comes to Indonesia.
AAP Image/Alan Porritt
In his budget reply speech last week, opposition leader Tony Abbott said Indonesia was to be a “vital partner in Australia’s future”.
He’s right, and for now, at the government-to-government level, Australia…
Julia Gillard has enjoyed mixing with Barack Obama on the foreign policy stage.
AAP/AusPic Howard Moffat
When President Obama begins his long-awaited visit to Australia today, he’ll have a keen tour guide in Julia Gillard. They’ve developed an apparently firm friendship in recent months. But should the Prime…
Growing a moustache isn’t simply about the style. It could help you win friends and influence people abroad.
AFP/Wildbird
You may notice more than a few of your friends and colleagues are a little more hirsute than normal this month. The annual charity event Movember encourages men to grow moustaches to raise money and awareness…
Australia’s aid program is mostly focused on the Asia-Pacific region, but Australians answer the call for help from all over the world.
AAP/AusAID
AUSTRALIA IN ASIA: In the fourth part of our series, Deakin University’s Matthew Clarke examines why more Australian aid to Asia would improve regional security.
Australians are a generous lot. On a per…
Julia Gillard has to strike a balance between forging meaningful links with Asian countries, and managing relationships with older allies.
EPA/Rungroj Yongrit
AUSTRALIA IN ASIA: In the third part of our series, former diplomat Alison Broinowski of the Australian National University examines our rocky relationship with our Asian neighbours.
“Australia hasn’t…
