Is China Expansionist?
China’s emergence as a great power has prompted many fears that it will start to become aggressive and militaristic. But…
-
Right wing media outraged by Australia’s Covid 19 response
While there are demands from right wing commentators for a Royal Commission into Australia’s mishandling of the “essentially innocuous” SARS-Cov-2 virus, in reality Australians continue to die from infection while the distressing and prevalent morbidity associated with infection is becoming clearer and clearer. Continue reading »
-
AUKUS agreement a threat to peace
Reflecting the prevalent view, that the AUKUS agreement is a threat to peace, a conglomeration of peace groups (under the banner ‘Raising Peace’) brought together opponents of the agreement from the three nations involved, for an on-line discussion on September 19. Continue reading »
-
Xi and Putin vow mutual support, but military backing unlikely, analysts say
Leaders of China and Russia agree to expand cooperation in areas such as trade and agriculture, but no mention of armed forces. Continue reading »
-
Biden keeps pledging direct US war with China over Taiwan
The president of the United States has once again committed the US military to direct hot war with China in the event of an attack on Taiwan, a commitment that was once again walked back by his White House handlers. Continue reading »
-
Asian Media this week, 24 September
In Asian media this week, Biden makes the Taiwan Strait more dangerous. Plus: Myanmar people flee tattered economy; political role key to Xi’s anti-corruption drive; regional grouping with global heft; AUKUS and longing for Western domination; Korea looks beyond K-pop’s success Continue reading »
-
America’s muddled Taiwan policy
In early August, U.S. Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, announced she planned to make a trip to Taiwan to give it moral encouragement at a time of tense relations with China. She would be the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit Taiwan since 1997, when Speaker Newt Gingrich made the trip. Continue reading »
-
Crafting a Republic: “Aprés Moi Le Deluge” an Elizabeth II legacy?
King Louis XV of France and Madame de Pompadour are reputed to have warned that across France after their deaths there would be life destroying floods of various kinds. By implication, these distant on-a pedestal characters were predicting that life after them could be far worse than when they reigned, so look back a little Continue reading »
-
Making the sensible choice: Australia can support peace between US, China in the Taiwan Strait
US-China relations continue to be in free fall. A confident China under the leadership of strongman Xi Jinping is more assertive in defending its national interests. While China has changed, so have Western powers who, unable to adjust to the new reality of global power transition, are treating China as the primary threat. Animosity has Continue reading »
Contributions to Pearls and Irritations
Your contribution will fund quality independent comment and analysis in Pearls and Irritations
Contribute
-
Weekly roundup Saturday 24 September
Weekly roundup of links to articles, reports, podcasts and other media on current political and economic issues in public policy. Continue reading »
-
The contrast between China and the US as the Covid debacle rolls on
“The U.S. represents 4% of the world’s population, 25% of global covid deaths, 23% of covid cases and 35% of all Monkeypox cases….The U.S. is a public health fiasco.” Continue reading »
-
What drives the Chinese Party of China to success?
Editor’s note: Since its founding more than 100 years ago, the Communist Party of China has led the country in making remarkable achievements at home as well as contributing to global development and peace. Combining political theory and practice to make those remarkable achievements, the CPC has set a great example for the world. Three Continue reading »
Top 5 most read
- The Queen complained that Gough Whitlam was rude to…
In 1974 in Kingston, Jamaica, aboard her yacht The Britannia,… - The incautious, entitled, ‘meddling’ King Charles…
When, according to the self-appointed guardians of public decency and… - Morrison joins hard right IDU’s embrace of Viktor Orban
Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison has joined the advisory board… - The Monarchy is facing a legitimation crisis
In monarchical systems there is always a legitimation challenge when… - Prince Philip and Gough Whitlam: the story The Crown…
As Gough Whitlam put it- ‘I am the first prime…
