AUKUS
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Wanted: a role for MPs in waging war and seeking peace
There must be a number of current parliamentarians concerned about the direction of foreign and defence policy, but why are they so silent? Continue reading »
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Lies, lies, lies — and the lying liars who tell them
Politicians, predominantly on the right, have repeatedly been caught lying in direct contravention of video evidence. The falsifications aren’t minor. Continue reading »
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The US-funded ‘think tank’ pushing Australia towards war
The Australian Strategic Policy Institute is irrationally hostile towards China and has unprecedented influence over Australian defence policy. Continue reading »
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Nervous neighbour: Why Canada should be worried about US democracy.But is Australia?
The US is headed down a very dark road, and Canada should prepare to deal with the cracking of the American polity. Continue reading »
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Kazakhstan protests earn just a passing glance from the major players
While Russia had a heavy-handed response to recent Kazakhstani protests, China resisted putting boots on the ground. Continue reading »
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Uncertainty ahead: Xi Jinping faces a challenging 2022
After an uncertain year in 2021, the only dependable prediction for China in 2022 is that Xi Jinping will return for a third term in power. Continue reading »
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China is deftly outmanoeuvring US across the Indo-Pacific region
Beijing understands that economic security created through trade is more enduring than when done through military superiority. Continue reading »
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AUKUS an unwelcome guest at the table of nuclear disarmament
Despite many shortcomings, the Non-Proliferation Treaty remains a symbol of an inconsistent effort to ensure a world without threats of nuclear war. Continue reading »
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Treadmarks on the taxpayer: Australia’s $3.5 billion tank folly
The last batch were kept in blissful quarantine, untouched by conflict. But better to feed the US military machine than act on global warming. Continue reading »
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The China threat: Dutton is dragging Australia into dangerous waters
The Defence Minister is stoking anti-China sentiment in Australia – a foolhardy stance that is damaging our economy and putting us at risk of military conflict. Continue reading »
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An uneasy rules-based order: China’s restraint in South China Sea has limits
The implementation of AUKUS and increased US intelligence probes threaten China’s nuclear submarines that are its deterrent against a strike by the US. Continue reading »
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A quarter century of failure in foreign policy mars Australian credibility
Antagonistic towards China and Asia-Pacific neighbours and in thrall to America, Australian governments have presided over the demise of Australian diplomacy. It has been sidelined by exaggerated defence and security concerns. Continue reading »
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Quelle horreur! Paris poaching in our paddock leased to Washington
An ancient European power is putting more energy into courting a paramour 11,500 kilometres distant than the young swain next door. Continue reading »
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Last Chance Saloon: best chance to ease East-West tensions cannot be missed
We are at a crunch point now in Russia-US relations. Their high-level talks starting next week will be closely observed by China, Russia’s de facto strategic ally. The coming days and weeks will determine the shape of world security for decades to come. Continue reading »
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AUKUS tilts the balance: Australia looks more and more warlike
Australia cannot go down the nuclear-submarine path and claim that it follows the UN Charter and that its armed forces are only for self-defence. Continue reading »
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Australia’s damaging and deluded retreat from Asia
Obsessed with demonising China, the Morrison government appears to exult in its destruction of one of Australia’s most valuable relationships. Continue reading »
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Mangled by Macron: Morrison’s French farce shows lack of character
Our prime minister is an embarrassment on both the national and the world stage. But few would be surprised at his latest escapade. Continue reading »
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Australia’s nuclear submarine deal: very high risk for no reward
Although it will be Australia’s biggest military purchase, the submarine deal is mired in strategic uncertainties. Continue reading »
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Australia’s clumsy retreat from Asia will prove costly
The decline in our ties with Asia that began under John Howard has accelerated alarmingly as the Morrison government. Continue reading »
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History repeats: Billy Hughes on Japan and now Scott Morrison on China
Our leaders are uneducated on history. They’re repeating mistakes that had catastrophic consequences for Australia in the Pacific in the 20th century. Continue reading »
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More than an acronym: AUKUS must be an election issue in 2022
When the nuclear-powered submarines are delivered they will be expensive white elephants. The project will distort defence policy for a generation. Continue reading »
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Russia and China sit together to watch the decline of the West
The main global game now is Russia-China relations: the ability of the United States to control or influence the world order is fading fast. Continue reading »
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Our shocking Parliament: only one-third of federal MPs deserve any respect
Next year’s election is an opportunity for voters to replace the liars and misfits in Parliament with quality independent candidates. Continue reading »
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Depressed by the press: journalism bows to the authoritarians
Weakened by commercial and political pressures, legacy media are struggling to counter the antagonism of vested interests, writes Lucy Hamilton. Continue reading »
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Who is the real winner from AUKUS? It’s not Australia
Britain is the greatest beneficiary of the nuclear submarine deal for an array of reasons – the gains for the US are minor while the benefits for Australia are debatable. Continue reading »
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Opposing AUKUS is a start. Now it’s time to reject US empire
It’s time for the people to speak up against the US empire as well as the AUKUS alliance and nuclear submarine deal. Continue reading »
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It’s time for Australia to be a ‘smart power’ country
Australia has paid scant attention to the exercise of ‘soft’ power in recent years, but its effective use is a matter of national interest. Continue reading »
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Hawkish US Global Posture Review speaks obscurely and carries a big stick
The US’s national defence strategy calls for regional policing in the Indo-Pacific. The fixation is on China and the spotlight is on Australia. Continue reading »
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The AUKUS pact could help ASEAN’s relationship with China
Controversy in the ASEAN region over AUKUS has died down, but the group should take it as an opportunity to build trust with China. Continue reading »
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The integrity vacuum in our federal politics — and how to fix it
The rejection of ethical and accountability standards that is undermining our political system has left voters cynical: here’s a package of reforms that will restore trust and protect our democracy. Continue reading »
