Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump appeared in the ‘commander-in-chief’ forum this week. This roundup looks at what the experts have to say about our nation’s biggest vulnerabilities.
Does Hillary Clinton have her own brand of American exceptionalism?
Aaron Bernstein/Reuters
Abram Van Engen, Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis
Is America exceptional? An expert on rhetoric examines how the idea has changed over time, and how Democrats are claiming their own version.
For Australia, the US election should provide an opportunity to rethink defence relationships, especially as they relate to nuclear weapons.
Issei Kato/Reuters
Former South African President Thabo Mbeki remains a puzzle to many of his compatriots. A new book, ‘The Thabo Mbeki I know’, will help to understand him better.
Obama’s message while in Vietnam and Japan may be twofold.
REUTERS
Beneath the usual pomp and circumstance of Obama’s weeklong visit to Asia lies a clear message for aggressors in the region. An East Asia expert from UC Berkeley reads between the lines.
The South African military’s capabilities for socio-economic development are questionable, even in its own country. The force is in critical decline, but is expected to aid humanitarian efforts.
Turkey is the one of the U.S.’s most important allies in the Mideast, but recent actions such as the downing of a Russian fighter raise important questions about its reliability as a partner.
Former presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki. Both men had clear ideas about South Africa’s foreign policy.
Reuters
Over the past two decades, it has not been easy for any country – let alone a newly freed one, like post-apartheid South Africa – to understand the rapidly changing world.
“Smile, everyone”: Turkey, the US, Saudi Arabia, and Russia at the table in Vienna.
EPA/Eduard Pesov
Russia’s Syria play may have hit some snags already, but the US is hardly placed to kick up a fuss.
Under the assertive leadership of Xi Jinping, China won’t meekly accept the terms of closer engagement with Australia being determined by the US alliance.
AAP/Lukas Coch
The past two decades were years of sclerosis and decline in Australia’s once creative and agile foreign policy. A new course must be set to meet the challenges of exciting but risky times.
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.
What J.K. Galbraith famously called the conventional wisdom is a powerful thing to behold. There are few better local examples than the belief that the military alliance with the US is vital for the security…
Who is the audience for the commencement address?
Penn State
American Presidents tend to use the commencement address to address the audience outside than within the graduation hall. This changes though if they go on to a second term.