Under Xi Jinping, China has tied its national rejuvenation to an aggressive diplomatic stance toward the world. This may come at a cost economically, but politics is paramount in Xi’s new China.
The oil deal is a side-show. Australian energy diplomacy instead must grapple with the rapid deployment of renewables.
Democratic presidential hopeful former Vice President Joe Biden greets supporters after addressing a Super Tuesday event in Los Angeles on March 3, 2020.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images
Interviews in three Pacific nations revealed concerns over a lack of balance in the Australia-Pacific relationship and a certain level of racism and disrespect directed towards islanders.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo (central) visiting a military base in the Natuna islands, near the South China Sea, Indonesia, January 8, 2020.
Agus Soeparto (handout, made available by Indonesian Presidential Palace))/EPA
Indonesia’s response to China’s 2016 incursion into its exclusive economic zone was short-lived. And again, it’s sending mixed signals in the Natuna sea dispute.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pauses as he speaks during a news conference in Ottawa on Jan. 11. Trudeau says Iran must take full responsibility for mistakenly shooting down a Ukrainian jetliner, killing all 176 civilians on board.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
The downing of Flight PS752 isn’t just the result of Canada being caught in U.S.-Iran crossfire. It’s also the result of an unnecessarily aggressive posture of Canada’s own against Iran in 2012.
The (all male) members of the commission of the League of Nations. For Australia, the League’s establishment marked the beginning of our independence on the global stage.
Wikimedia Commons
The League of Nations was established 100 years ago today. This precursor to the United Nations was dominated by men but many Australian women worked hard to gain a voice there.
Diplomacy has provided a solution for how countries in conflict can communicate.
Shutterstock/cybrain
Klaus W. Larres, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
President Trump’s speech about Iran wasn’t just aimed at that country or the US. He also targeted NATO allies, urging members of the alliance to step up and help US efforts in the Middle East.
The United States may violate the World Trade Organisation rules if it punishes South Africa for adopting a new copyright bill, explain two US trade experts.
“Still not funny Mr President?”
OLIVIER HOSLET/EPA
The Trump administration is demanding that Japan and South Korea pay more for hosting U.S. troops.
Scott Morrison has heavily promoted his government’s ‘Pacific Step Up’, but it hasn’t invested the requisite funds to support the initiative diplomatically.
Darren England/AAP
New research shows that funding for DFAT has hit a new low of 1.3% of the federal budget. Scaling back has a real effect on Australia’s influence around the world.
A small boat carries passengers across the Zambezi river.
Wikimedia Commons
Malawi must change its diplomatic approach and align its national interests with Mozambique’s
President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria (left) arriving at Waterkloof Airforce Base Airport in Pretoria. He is welcomed by Minister Naledi Pandor.
Katlholo Maifadi/EPA/DIRCO
Data show that the US intervenes more in other countries’ affairs than it did in the past. It also currently hires fewer career professionals for ambassadorial or foreign affairs positions.
Trump addresses the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters, Sept. 24, 2019.
AP Photo/Mary Altaffer
At first glance, it would seem like nothing has changed since 1991. Yet, things have been slowly and discreetly evolving in recent years at Morocco’s behest.