In this podcast, senior fellow from the Lowy Institute and expert on Asia Richard McGregor joins The Conversation to canvass the prime minister's coming trip to China.
CPL ROBERT WHITMORE/AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE HANDOUT/EPA
There are many reasons to be wary of the returned Taliban, but given our investment in the region the Australian government will have to find a way to deal with it.
Climate change will continue to be one of the world’s greatest challenges in 2021.
AAP/AP/David Goldman
Which countries emerge best from the pandemic, and how the world tackles the climate crisis, will be among the defining features of global politics in the coming year.
A booth promoting Australian meat at the third China International Import Expo in Shanghai, November 7 2020.
Alex Plavevski/EPA
Australia has maintained military and trade ties with Myanmar. If Myanmar is not fully complying with the ICJ order, this puts Canberra in a sticky position.
The word ‘values’ was seldom used in Australian diplomacy in recent decades, but has slowly become more prevalent as Canberra has sought to counter China’s influence in the region.
Morrison will walk a thin line between Australia’s major ally and its largest trading partner in a Wednesday address on the economic dynamics of the Indo-Pacific region.
Richard Wainwright/AAP
In a major speech ahead of the G20, Prime Minister Scott Morrison commits to further enhancing Australia’s relationship with China while maintaining its allyship with the United States.
The economics of countries in the Indian Ocean region are rapidly growing.
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Around 80% of the world’s maritime oil trade passes through the Indian Ocean. And the economic and political might of the region is growing.
A single foreign company having sole ownership and control over Australia’s most significant gas transmission business, says Australia’s treasurer, is not in the national interest.
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Hong Kong’s CKI taking over Australian infrastructure company APA Group has been ruled against the national interest. That’s rare, but not a huge deal.
Lone Sharks supporter Scott Morrison gives out Wallabies rugby jerseys to Pacific Islands leaders after the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Port Moresby. There will be fewer hand-outs in future.
AAP Image/Mick Tsikas
The strength of Australian aid is that it has been fully grant-based. Offering Pacific nations debt-based development financing instead is no way to win friends.
Mother and children in Tanna, Vanuatu. Australia’s investment in the Pacific care sector would bring a broad range of positive outcomes.
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In one of the most difficult foreign policy environments since the end of the Vietnam War, the two leaders have revealed strong similarities but also key differences on our relationships abroad.
Moving the Australian embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem is controversial because it would be a strong political statement of support for Israel.
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Moving the Australian embassy to Jerusalem may cause controversy but is in line with Australia’s foreign policy interests.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s suggestion that Australia might move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem puts us on a slippery foreign policy slope.
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Australia should focus on playing a positive role in the ongoing Middle East process, rather than auctioning off its foreign policy for the sake of winning the Wentworth byelection.
Reports that China plans to build a military base in Vanuatu seem to have little substance at this stage.
EPA/Jerome Favre
The reports are speculative at best, but that hasn’t stopped a torrent of over-wrought commentary on Chinese military expansion and the potential threat to Australia.
With so many global flashpoints, and so little diplomacy, 2018 could be a turbulent year.
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Faculty Member, Asian Studies Program, Georgetown University; Visiting Fellow, Department of Pacific Affairs, Australian National University., Georgetown University