Writer
Scott Burchill
Dr Scott Burchill is Honorary Fellow in International Relations at Deakin University. He is the author of The National Interest in International Relations Theory (Palgrave Macmillan 2005), Misunderstanding International Relations (Palgrave Macmillan 2020) and co-author and editor of Theories of International Relations (5th ed Palgrave Macmillan 2013). He has also taught at Monash University, the University of Melbourne and the University of Tasmania. He is a regular commentator on ABC Radio and TV.
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Tactical voting and Independents
If you normally vote for the Greens or you are a traditional ALP supporter in a blue-ribbon Liberal seat such as Goldstein, Wentworth, Kooyong, Mackellar or North Sydney, at this election you face a choice between voting for your preferred party candidate or removing the Morrison Government from power. The emergence of popular, intelligent and Continue reading »
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Russian, Western and Ukrainian perspectives on the crisis
It is sometimes said of the war in Syria that there aren’t even any bad ideas for resolving the conflict, let alone good ones. The war in Ukraine is quickly approaching a similarly intractable state. This is how it looks through Russian, Western and Ukrainian eyes. Continue reading »
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The Russian attacks on Ukraine are both immoral and illegal under international law but we ignore similar attacks by ourselves and our allies.
They should be unconditionally opposed, regardless of how they have been rationalised by the Kremlin. Ukraine is an independent state, its sovereignty has been violated, and there is no “self-defence” justification for the military strikes. Russia must accept full responsibility for this crime and the consequences that will follow. Continue reading »
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Putin’s gamble
Under pressure from pro-Russian separatists in Donbass, a series of incremental Western arms control abrogations, and the failure by both sides to implement the Minsk 2 accords, something eventually had to give. Continue reading »
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Critical thinking shoved aside: wilful blindness rules media
It’s not just the Murdoch press. Lack of critical engagement and willingness to act for the powerful has hampered the effectiveness of journalists. Continue reading »
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Diplomatic insanity: Canberra sacrifices China influence for US alliance
Australia continues to damage its most important trading relationship — with China — by supporting the US’s limitless ambition in the region. Continue reading »
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Peak Sinophobia in Australia?
How can the collapse of the Australia-China diplomatic relationship be explained? Despite a recent flurry of articles and books, the answer isn’t a mystery nor is it complex. Continue reading »
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Is the tide turning against Israel?
The history of Palestinian nationalism is strewn with false dawns and bitter disappointments. Continue reading »
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Peak Sinophobia in Australia?
Sinophobia in Australia, promoted over recent years by naïve MPs, opportunistic academics and jejune journalists, has now entered its neo-McCarthyist phase. Continue reading »
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What would an independent Australian foreign policy look like?
Only in a small number of countries is the idea of an independent foreign policy considered to be a radical approach to international relations. Australia is one of them. Continue reading »
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Jim Molan’s delusions
No-one would expect a surgeon to recommend Chinese medicine to his patients. His advice usually involves a scalpel and some nasty cutting. Similarly, it would be surprising for military men to advocate political solutions to global conflicts. It’s not their area of professional expertise. By default they lead with their strongest suit — organised violence — not geopolitics or Continue reading »
