Asia
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Inside Paul Keating’s historic — and prophetic — security deal with Indonesia
When, as prime minister, Paul Keating secured the 1995 security agreement with Indonesia, he ensured Australia would be surrounded by allies as China rose. Continue reading »
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Mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic the Javanese way
On the surface, it looks like Indonesia has the pandemic under control — a summery success story for the world’s fourth-most populous country. In truth, there’s a more wintery tale to tell. Continue reading »
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AUKUS agreement threatens peace in Asia
The security pact between the US, UK and Australia is a troubling reminder that these Anglo-Saxon powers are stuck in a Cold War mindset. Continue reading »
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Fumio Kishida, the colourless new Japanese PM
One incident more than any other tells us what we need to know about the just-elected leader of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), the rather colourless Fumio Kishida. Continue reading »
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That sinking feeling from Down Under: What does AUKUS mean for Asia?
The AUKUS deal confirms essentially that Australia opts to sink or swim with its rich Anglosphere few, rather than the global many. Continue reading »
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South Korea is critical to Australia’s next minerals boom
Urgent cooperation between the Australian and South Korean governments to craft a cohesive trade framework for critical minerals is at the top of the agenda for Australian companies looking to take advantage of the critical minerals boom. Continue reading »
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AUKUS ruffles Australia-France-South-East Asia relations
In one of Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s first foreign policy speeches, he boldy asserted that regarding the struggle between the US and China for regional dominance, “Australia doesn’t have to choose”. Continue reading »
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In Indonesia: Pray, don’t spray, papa’s hurt
Indonesian President Joko Widodo hasn’t gone so far as to ban outlets that publish unflattering portrayals — yet. Watch this space. Continue reading »
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70 years and several sea changes later, ANZUS Treaty serves a different world
When the ANZUS Treaty was signed 70 years ago, Japan was considered a dangerous aggressor, and China was a friend. Continue reading »
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History repeats as Morrison provokes China hostility
The official visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2014 was the high point in Sino-Australian relations. It has been all downhill ever since. Continue reading »
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The Singapore mouse that taught the China elephant
Compare Singapore’s dextrous diplomacy with the clumsy manner in which the Australian government handles its relationship with China. Continue reading »
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When politics fail: The folly in under-funding the ABC’s international services
The ABC is under such constant pressure and threats from government (as well as relentless attacks from hostile media and other organisations such as the IPA), it’s not surprising that public attention is almost exclusively on the domestic service. Continue reading »
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Our two ministers just passing by in Indonesia – got a mo?
Marise Payne and Peter Dutton’s Jakarta visit was flagged as an ‘exclusive’ in an AFR curtain-raiser implying a renaissance in relations between Australia and Indonesia. That expectation came to naught. Continue reading »
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Bruce Haigh: We have been used again by America, this time in Indonesia.
Indonesians wonder why we fear China so much, when they don’t? Continue reading »
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Payne and Dutton’s high-stakes Indonesia visit must accelerate relationship
On Thursday, Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Defence Minister Peter Dutton are due to meet their Indonesian counterparts in Jakarta for vital talks. The stakes are high. Continue reading »
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China policy takes centre stage as Japan’s ruling party searches for new leader
Elections to select a new leader for Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) could finally see some clarity over Tokyo’s policy towards China. Continue reading »
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Quarantine, what quarantine? Nicole Kidman, expats and white privilege
The unsaid but common understanding about foreigners in many parts of the non-Western world is that there is one group of them who can get away with a great deal: white people. Continue reading »
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Francis James and the Wakhan Corridor into Afghanistan
We are told the fall of Kabul will be a bonus for an expansionist China. Continue reading »
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Here’s how many people are really leaving Hong Kong
The world is told one thing, the data says another Continue reading »
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How the plague squashes patriotism
It was weird, like the day after in a disaster movie. Empty chairs on a red carpet and mike stands sans mikes. Not a VIP within coo-ee, though their black limos were parked outside the Malang town hall. This was Indonesia’s national day, 17 August and no one was partying. Continue reading »
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Happy Anniversary, Indonesia. Must catch up sometime . We don’t seem to care!
G’day Cobbers, hear it’s your Big Bash next Tuesday. Have a good one, yeah? Sorry, can’t make it, lockdowns and all that, know you’ll understand. Anyway, here’s a few cards. Continue reading »
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Morrison’s QUAD ally with shared values; India’s despot, Modi
Scott Morrison loves to praise India as a wonderful democracy. The reality is that India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party is a horror story. Continue reading »
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It’s still three years away, but the candidates are already lining up to be the next President of Indonesia
The epicentre of the pandemic is now next door. When – and if – Covid is crushed or controlled, Indonesia will need a president with prodigious leadership qualities and technical smarts to restore hope and get the economy out of ICU. Vainglorious candidates will fail the tasks – but may still win the job. Continue reading »
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A cry from Myanmar: We can’t breathe.
The people of Myanmar are facing one of the world’s greatest humanitarian catastrophes, and are asking why the world has forgotten them. There is a way out, but the world needs to act quickly. Continue reading »
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Australia and Korea’s underdeveloped strategic relationship needs substance
Despite periodic claims by political leaders in both Australia and Korea, neither government has capitalised on commonalities and shared interests to build a deeper and more strategic partnership. Continue reading »
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Fear God, not the pandemic in Indonesia.
July 20 will be a big day in Indonesia. It marks the end of more than two weeks of lockdown, and it’s Bloody Tuesday – Idul Adha, the feast of the sacrifice. This year participants may become victims. Continue reading »
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Hong Kong and Taiwan: seeking perspectives
My intention here is to provide some information on Hong Kong and Taiwan, having regard to media failure and the general drought of information in Australia. Policy and public sentiment is being driven by passions and our tendency to prefer conflictual in news and argument. Continue reading »
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Lockdown’s compulsory in Indonesia – if you like
Luhut Binsar Panjaitan doesn’t read Pearls & Irritations. That’s obvious because the former general and Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s Mr Fixit alleged he was blindsided by the latest tsunami of Covid 19. Continue reading »
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Grenville Cross-Rule of law in HongKong- Protecting criminal justice operatives from violence.
When the Hong Kong protest movement and its armed wing launched their insurrection in 2019, they realized that to make headway they had to target people involved in upholding criminal justice. From the outset, they systematically attacked the police, with petrol bombs, bricks and improvised weaponry, and then set about terrorizing their families. They doxxed Continue reading »
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Garuda-The spirit of Indonesia takes a dive
The financial deck warning lights had been flashing furiously when Indonesia’s Garuda airline welshed on its AUD 660 million sukuk repayments this month after a 14-day grace. Continue reading »
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