The return of great power relations: a world of bounded orders – Part 2
In the second part of his piece for the Foreign Policy Rethink series, Geoff Raby examines how China is constructing a competing global order and reshaping the institutions that underpin international relations.
Recent articles in Politics
22 April 2026
Poorly designed campaign finance laws weaken our democracy
The High Court’s ruling on Victoria’s electoral laws shows how poorly designed campaign finance rules can undermine both fairness and the reforms they were meant to achieve.
22 April 2026
The forgotten war Australia would rather not remember
Michael Piggott's 'New Feller Master: Beyond the Trenches Australia’s Neglected WWI Story', details Australia’s occupation of New Guinea and challenges familiar national narratives – confronting uncomfortable truths about power, race and legacy.
22 April 2026
Lovin’ democracy? You’re probably doing all right, then
Australia remains one of the world’s stronger democracies, but rising economic stress and inequality are shaping how people feel about it.
22 April 2026
Tune in, turn on, and drop out: the case for legalising psychedelics is stronger than ever
Decades of prohibition have failed to stop psychedelic drug use while blocking research and treatment options, raising questions about the basis of current laws.
22 April 2026
Non-discrimination is a core Australian value. We must defend it
Policies which link migration to “values” undermine a fundamental principle of Australia’s immigration system – fairness without discrimination.
22 April 2026
Tehran demands hundreds of billions in reparations. Guess who will pay?
If Iran succeeds in extracting reparations for the US–Israeli war, it would mark an historic shift in how power and accountability operate in the international system.
22 April 2026
The return of great power relations: What can middle powers do? Part 1
As part of the Foreign Policy Rethink series, Geoff Raby examines how Trump’s shift to great power politics is reshaping the global order and forcing middle powers to rethink their strategy.
22 April 2026
A prime-time hit job on renewables falls apart under basic facts
Spotlight's TV report on renewables and EVs collapses under basic fact-checking, highlighting how misinformation is shaping Australia’s energy debate.
22 April 2026
The diesel shock shows why government must help freight electrify
As diesel prices surge, freight operators face mounting pressure, highlighting the urgent need for immediate support and a longer-term shift to electrified transport.
22 April 2026
Study warns of terrifying Atlantic Ocean current collapse
New research shows a critical Atlantic Ocean current system is weakening faster than expected, raising the risk of irreversible climate disruption.
22 April 2026
On immigration, we’ve heard this before – and we were wrong then too
Warnings about immigration echo almost word for word the fears once directed at post-war arrivals – fears history has already discredited.
22 April 2026
When prisons expand, policy has already failed
Plans to convert a Covid quarantine facility into a prison reflect a justice system responding to pressure with infrastructure instead of addressing the drivers of incarceration.
