Australian foreign policy
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A clear and present danger to the peace of the world
Donald Trump is still to be sworn in for his second term, but is already confirming that he remains a menace to world peace, security and stability. Continue reading »
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Hotel California: Time to check out
The Eagles classic “Hotel California” could be considered an allegory for membership in the imperial system of the United States. At least to this point, that appears to be the mindset prevalent in Australia’s political, defence and security class, regardless of the harm that membership causes. It is time to check out. Continue reading »
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The disruptions to come: Australian foreign policy in the Trump era
As the Trump presidency looms across America and the world, Australia faces major foreign and security policy challenges on three fronts: (i) How would a Dutton government respond? (ii) How would a renewed Albanese government respond? (iii) How would a minority Labor government respond? Continue reading »
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Dreyfus’ trip to Israel makes a mockery of Labor’s foreign policy
“The role of the attorney-general in Australia, even in these partisan times, is to uphold the rule of law,” as the former Chief Justice Sir Anthony Mason said. So how can it be in any way compatible with that duty for Mark Dreyfus, the current holder of the office, to head to Israel and meet Continue reading »
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American-Israeli bombs destroy Australian food aid in Gaza
Last Sunday, (5 January) an American-Israeli guided missile deliberately attacked and destroyed an Australian-funded food aid storage facility in the area of Deir al-Balah in Gaza. It is, in effect, an attack on Australia. Where is the government’s condemnation? Continue reading »
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Best of 2024: The military control of Australia
The Albanese government with their policy is likely to turn Australia into the 51st state of the United States, writes former Prime Minister of Australia, Paul Keating. Continue reading »
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US exceptionalism
The US bloviates incessantly about its exceptional status. Continue reading »
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The Australo-German conundrum
Australia and Germany are quite literally a world apart, and expecting to find many parallels between the two countries might appear counter-intuitive. But as secondary powers in the Anglo-American sphere of influence, many of the resulting challenges the two nations face are indeed identical. Most significantly, the severe curtailment of national sovereignty by a foreign Continue reading »
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Are we the terrorists?
It’s ten years since the Lindt Café siege by a member of Islamic State who, despite multiple warnings, was not of concern to ASIO or the police. Yet Man Haron Monis’ attack had all the commonly accepted characteristics of terrorism. Continue reading »
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Courage in public office and Australia’s recognition of Palestine
“No room for robust debate” within ALP caucus. “There is so much courage that Australia could exercise. We could come out and be the real champions of human rights, and human life, that we claim to be – especially within the Labor party.” High profile Senator Fatima Payman and former Labor Senator Margaret Reynolds discuss Continue reading »
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Executive Council of Australian Jewry’s Isi Leibler was a ‘covert agent of Israeli intelligence’
When I began editing Quadrant with Peter Coleman in 1989, my co-editorship was soon overwhelmed by the most unpleasant controversy of my life, at least thus far. Continue reading »
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Subs and secrets: Will Australia choose AUKUS or sovereignty?
Australians have become locked in to US military planning, entrenching our status as a US staging post. In this more dangerous world is a country’s sovereignty now a myth? Continue reading »
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Australia: The epicentre of US power projection in the Indo Pacific
Australia has willingly become the “epicentre of the projection of US power in the Indo-Pacific”. It does not make Australia safer. It makes Australia the epicentre for any retaliation to that projection of power. Continue reading »
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A five-minute scroll
Jeffrey Sachs explains his position on US wars to Piers Morgan. Penny Wong advises Australia’s approach to the ICC will be guided by international law, not politics. Bisan Owda takes us into the realities of winter for 1.9 million displaced citizens in Gaza and injured doctor Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya speaks of his commitment to Continue reading »
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“A position of fear”: Economics, security, and Australia’s China debate
I feel like I have been operating from a position of fear in Australia’s China debate, and I don’t want to anymore. I don’t want my country to be operating from a position of fear, and we have, writes Amy King. Continue reading »
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Denial of Australian visa to anti-Palestinian racists disturbs some Liberal Party leaders
On 21 November 2024, the Australian government refused to grant a visa to former Israeli minister Ayelet Shaked, known for her anti-Palestinian views. She had been invited to attend a security conference in Canberra and other events organised by the Israeli lobby, Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC). Continue reading »
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Will the Prime Minister now assert Australia’s independence and review his foreign and defence policies?
For some time now a considerable number of well-informed Australians have been warning Anthony Albanese and his government not to allow personal flattery and uncertain commitments to allow the United States to gain control of Australian foreign policy and defence policies. Continue reading »
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Australia’s Israel Policy at the Crossroads: How much worse can it get before Australia takes a principled stand?
The horrific situation in the Middle East has landed Foreign Minister Penny Wong with a difficult and frustrating job. She is wedged between a so-far unacknowledged obligation to honour Australia’s legal commitments to condemn Israeli genocide and apartheid on the one hand, and on the other, a vociferous campaign by local Zionists and their supporters Continue reading »
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Trump’s wake-up call to Australia’s leaders
Trump’s anti-China 60% import tax barrier will weaken China’s economy and is predicted to have flow on effects impacting negatively on Australia’s economy. Will our political leaders now realise that Australia’s involvement in a military war against China for which they are furiously preparing, would have a devastating impact on our economy and Australian life Continue reading »
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America, We are out of your China fight
Australia must leave the China debacle, constructively. In withdrawing from America’s aggression against China, we should offer our diplomacy as a patient bridge between China and the US. That will take time. America will become even more extreme before it considers peaceful coexistence with China. Meanwhile our action will be a moderating influence, as we Continue reading »
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Trump’s election supports the case for a Department of Trade and Resources
The geopolitical danger in which Australia finds itself after the election of Donald Trump reinforces an argument made by Paul Barrett. His was to re-establish a free-standing Department of Trade and mine is to combine trade and resources as they were between 1977 and 1983. Continue reading »
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Detaching Australia from the death grip of the United States
Our challenge now is to detach Australia from the death grip of the United States and to pursue an independent future, which we are quite capable of doing. To do so we will need not only to remove the old sycophantic parties but also to root out the US ‘security’ zealots from our own secretive Continue reading »
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Australians pierce the foreign policy propaganda of both major parties
A Resolve Political Monitor poll published in today’s Sydney Morning Herald makes clear that the Australian community at large possesses a contrary view to the foreign policy priorities of the Albanese government and its predecessor under Scott Morrison. Continue reading »
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Can Trump make the Planet Safe, as well as America Great?
Trump’s stated positions on major international issues, e.g. climate change and the value and importance of multilateral institutions, both political and economic, and on particular issues such as Ukraine, the Middle East and relations with China, give grounds for plenty of concern when compared with Australian interests and policies. Continue reading »
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When life gives you oranges…
While the result of the US election is bleak in some ways, it may ultimately lead to a more independent Australian foreign policy—one that centres on regional needs rather than simply following American interests. Continue reading »
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Does Australia really want to be the “tip of the spear”, projecting Western power?
AUKUS, increasingly seen as a dud deal, though an expensive one, with a $368 billion price tag, stands as the clearest example of the cognitive dissonance besetting the Australian body politic. Continue reading »
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Why Israel and the IDF meet the criteria for proscription under Australian Anti-Terror laws
If Australian anti-terror laws are to be considered principled and fair, they must apply equally to all organisations that meet the criteria, including state military forces where appropriate. Continue reading »
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At the altar of the rules-based order
It is time to abandon Australia’s fanatical commitment to the ‘rules-based order’ and embrace emerging realities for a prosperous and secure future. Continue reading »
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Australia neither moral nor powerful
Australia is no longer a middle, nor moral, power although its political leaders think Australia is both. When did Australia lose its morality, and along with that loss, its status as a respected middle power? Continue reading »
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Timor-Leste President Ramos Horta pushes Australia on Greater Sunrise petroleum project
President José Ramos-Horta had a whirlwind visit to Sydney and Canberra on October 8-9, speaking to over 1,000 people at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall and to the National Press Club in Canberra, as well as ABC Radio National Breakfast. The Greater Sunrise petroleum project was one of many issues the President addressed. Continue reading »
