A reduced aid budget equates to the forsaking of real opportunities in foreign policy terms. In the long term, this could make the savings look miniscule compared to opportunity costs.
Football’s Asian Cup dominated Korean-language news coverage of Australia over the past year.
AAP/Mitchell Burke
Australia struggles to rise above the fray in Korean news, consigned to one of a number of countries that form an international community. But football seems to be a clear exception to this.
Barack Obama has become adept at welcoming new Australian prime ministers to the White House.
EPA/Michael Reynolds
2016 will be a year of transitions in the Australia-US relationship. Against a backdrop of change are three important issues: the fight against Islamic State, China, and passage of the TPP.
Joe Hockey has been announced as Australia’s next ambassador to the United States.
AAP/Lukas Coch
Will Joe Hockey, a 19-year veteran of the Australian Parliament, be able to navigate an increasingly dysfunctional Washington as ambassador to the United States?
As President Barack Obama extends America’s military presence in Afghanistan, Australia is determining what’s next for its military role.
Dan Peled/AAP
After 14 years of continued military presence and a decision by President Obama to keep US forces in Afghanistan, what is the next step for Australia’s role in the Afghanistan war?
While Julie Bishop stays on as foreign minister, domestic political calculations might be less of a factor in policy if the government can put dire opinion polls behind it.
AAP/Lukas Coch
Australia will benefit if a Turnbull government pursues a foreign policy agenda attuned more to regional and global goals and developments, and less to domestic political challenges.
The Abbott government’s instinct on foreign policy is to approach it through the lens of domestic politics.
AAP/Lukas Coch
The pressure the Abbott government faced over the Syrian refugee crisis hints at a broader trend. Global political dynamics are now exposing a credibility deficit in Australian foreign policy.
It has become commonplace to observe that Australian policymakers face a major challenge trying to reconcile the strategic and economic aspects of foreign policy. But while we might have become used to…
A Chinese government image of soldiers on one of the built-up Spratly islands.
mod.gov.cn
The US is considering using warships and helicopters to pressure China into scaling back construction in the Spratly islands. But why is there one rule for China, and another for other nations?
One of four koalas on loan to Singapore Zoo, where they were unveiled to the public on Wednesday May 20.
Qantas Airways
Four female koalas have just made their debut in front of an adoring public at Singapore Zoo – the latest in a long line of animals used for diplomatic purposes, going back to Winston the platypus.
Australian aid can make a difference to the lives of millions – but there are few votes and little media interest in it, so it’s an easy target for budget cuts.
John Bransby/Department of Foreign Affairs
Labour leader didn’t bash Cameron as hard as predicted on Libya.
Iranians, who celebrated in the streets of Tehran following this month’s nuclear agreement, are keen to rebuild relations with the West.
EPA/Abedin Taherkenareh
By reaching out to Iran, Australia can help end a long stand-off with the West that prevented solutions to many of the world’s most dangerous problems, including Syria’s civil war and Islamic State.
Australian has moved swiftly to fly relief aid and personnel to Vanuatu but has been less responsive to Pacific Islanders’ pleas to act on climate change.
AAP/Dave Hunt
Speaking with: Kerry Brown on China, Australia and diplomacy
The emergence of China as a 21st-century superpower has already had profound impacts on Australia. As China reshapes the balance of power, not only in the Asia-Pacific region but globally, its influence…
Tony Negus with Prime Minister Tony Abbott earlier in 2014.
AAP/Alan Porritt
Tony Abbott is appointing the former chief of the Australian Federal Police, Tony Negus, as Australia’s new high commissioner to Canada. Meanwhile, career diplomat Paul Grigson is being sent as ambassador…
In his first visit to Australia as prime minister, Narendra Modi emphasised the opportunities in improving ties with India.
AAP/Lukas Coch
For the roughly 450,000 people of Indian origin in Australia, the highlight of Narendra Modi’s first visit as Prime Minister of India to Australia was his address at an Indian community reception in Sydney…
Media reporting on the costs of Australia’s Security Council bid has overlooked several significant issues.
EPA/Andrew Gombert
In the lead-up to Australia’s election to the United Nations Security Council in 2012, much of the media focused on the costs and value of the campaign. In particular, it was claimed Australia “bought…
Australia’s new foreign aid priorities and level of funding suggests we are now failing in our moral obligation to help the most vulnerable overseas.
AAP/Department of Defence
While the Abbott government’s first budget has been widely criticised for its aggressive cost-cutting measures, the largest single reduction – a A$7.6 billion cut to Australia’s Official Development Assistance…
Treasurer Joe Hockey and finance minister Mathias Cormann face a difficult sell for the Abbott government’s tough first budget.
AAP/Alan Porritt
The Abbott government is hoping an A$11.6 billion infrastructure spending package, combined with a $20 billion medical research fund, will help soften the blow of widespread tightening of health and welfare…