World Affairs
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Strategic space in a bounded global order: China, Russia and America
Geoff Raby AO, former Australian ambassador to China, discusses with Michael Lester the remaking of the global order in his book Great Game On: The Contest for Central Asia and Global Supremacy (Melbourne University Press, 2024). Continue reading »
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Politicking wins, vulnerable people lose out
Isn’t it better to hold on to integrity, uplift the lives of the most vulnerable in our society and risk losing an election, rather than win an election through the brutal treatment of society’s most vulnerable people? Continue reading »
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Biden Pardons his son: The US “rules based order” in action
When I’m asked what I think of Biden granting a pardon to his son for offences, which Biden himself has spoken openly about as deserving of prison, I don’t have much to say. On the same day, I see criticism of China because a senior military official has been removed from his post and is Continue reading »
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A five-minute scroll
Jeffrey Sachs speaks of the covert war operation that underpins the fight in Syria. Lidia Thorpe speaks to a nation that needs to grow up. Activists in London speak to Middle Eastern Eye about their favourite journalists in Palestine in response to David Lammy. Images of the damaged sacred site of Apostle Simon Peter. Author Continue reading »
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The prescience of Corporal Hijack
A year ago, Mussa Hijazi, a stone-throwing young teenager of the first Intifada who became a long-serving Canberra lawyer, laid out three options on how the conflict in Gaza would end. Continue reading »
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A ceasefire in Lebanon – Gaza next?
Third party intervention led by the US and France has achieved a ceasefire in Lebanon. The US now needs to push for a settlement in Gaza where the combatants withdraw, and an external force is charged with maintaining the peace. Continue reading »
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Another unwelcome ICC arrest warrant?
On November 27, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court announced that he is seeking an arrest warrant against Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, the head of Myanmar’s military junta, for his role in the commission of crimes against humanity against his country’s Rohingya minority. Continue reading »
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A necessary reckoning of bloodletting in Gaza
The premeditated bloodletting in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon and many other largely forgotten parts of the world speaks hauntingly of the normalisation of death and destruction, largely for cruel, self-serving and illusory reasons. Continue reading »
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China speaks for conscience of the world at UN over horror in Gaza
Disgraceful veto of draft ceasefire resolution by US coincides with arrest warrants by International Criminal Court for Israeli pair on war crimes. Continue reading »
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A five-minute scroll
Gideon Levy speaks out on the ceasefire in Lebanon while Yusuf Cat Stevens speaks out on the starvation of women and children. Canadian health workers speak out against the complicity of the Canadian government while people in Gaza create their own ambulances. In Canberra, climate disruption in Parliament House as protestors call out the government Continue reading »
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If Tel Aviv was reduced to rubble like Gaza, the world would stop the war immediately
My mother survived the WW2 Nazi Auschwitz extermination camp, and she always asked why was the world silent? Why did they look away from the genocide of the Jews and do nothing? Today we know the answer as our government and media look away and do nothing for the Palestinians. Continue reading »
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Imran Khan and Pakistan’s deepening chaos
Even as more than 40 lives were lost last week in the latest resurgence of sectarian violence on Pakistan’s northwestern flank bordering Afghanistan, the nation’s media remained focused primarily on a nationwide “do or die” protest focused on the capital, Islamabad, and organised by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI). Continue reading »
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A five-minute scroll
A defendant who spied on JUlian Assange during his embassy asylum faces criminal charges for falsifying evidence. At the UN the State of Palestine reiterates that despite of labes of ‘terrorism’ Palestinian people have a seven -decade just cause while Piers Morgan interviews Francesca Albanese. In Pakistan, Imran Khan supporters are being brutally attacked, while Continue reading »
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The politics of ignoring genocide
Jews in Germany, Bosnians in former Yugoslavia, Tutsis in Rwanda, and now Palestinians in Gaza. In a recent interview, Francesca Albanese posed a rhetorical question: What kind of monsters have we become to see the live-streamed genocide of Palestinians and not act? Continue reading »
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Philippines maritime legislation does not impede freedom of navigation and overflight over the archipelago
The Philippines enacted two enabling legislation on 8 November 2024. Known as Republic Act (RA) 12064 or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act; and Republic Act (RA) 12065 or the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, the legislation has attracted a fair number of criticisms from the region among those not familiar with the 1982 UN Convention Continue reading »
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War games? Let’s play peace
Why volunteer for the military? Academics have some answers. 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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Obtuse China Policy and the “International Rules-Based Order” in a Trumpian world
In the ballyhooed, strident context of Trumpian change, if not, hysterical disruption, it is especially important to pinpoint and consider the real and the “factually alternative” content of Chinese foreign policy and international relations. Continue reading »
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Time to take China and Latin America more seriously
The invitation said: ‘Global Multinational Corporations Summit.’ Main Topic: ‘An opening China and the World.’ Continue reading »
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Deputy Director of CASS Institute of Finance warns against excessive security concerns
Zhang Ming: China must not sacrifice development for security. For a large developing country like China, development is the greatest security. Continue reading »
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From non-aligned Indonesia, a picture paints a thousand misunderstandings
There is more to the eye in the official photo and video of Indonesia President Prabowo on the phone to President-elect Trump. Australia misses the vital details. Continue reading »
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Defending the U.S. from the Israel Lobby
Ultimately, this is the story of how the Israel lobby undermined America, wrecked the Middle East, and set a series of international crimes against humanity in motion. Continue reading »
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Xi warns Trump: Don’t test our red lines – Asian Media Report
In Asian media this week: ‘Seven pillars of wisdom’ on US-China links. Plus: India’s selfishness-is-good ideology; Marles locking in US-Japan defence ties; Non-aligned Indonesia’s balancing act; ‘Tsunami of change’ in Sri Lanka election; Lonely hearts kindle companionship economy. Continue reading »
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Are APEC and G20 irrelevant?
There are 21 members of The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and its purpose is to ease trade throughout the member countries. The aims of APEC are noble and good, they are to create greater prosperity for the people of the region by promoting balanced, inclusive, sustainable, innovative and secure growth and by accelerating regional 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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The American-style Cultural Revolution is taking root in the US
Trump’s shocking cabinet picks are reminiscent of what Mao Zedong did after launching the tumultuous Cultural Revolution in 1966. Under his slogan “revolution is no crime; to rebel is justified,” Mao encouraged the firebrand Red Guards and grassroots loyalists to take over power at central and local government levels across the country, writes Wang Xiangwei. 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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Indonesia’s Jokowi does a Machiavelli
Power is the proverbial drug that leaders find hard to quit. Continue reading »
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A five-minute scroll
Not being reported? President Xi Jinping gives President Joe Biden boundaries. Jason Clare MP says you can’t bomb your way to peace while a Gaza Psychiatrist shares footage of bodies in Gaza. Peter Garrett calls out AUKUS and Senator Barbara Pocock supports the issues raised by Senator Lidia Thorpe. Footage of Keir Starmer from 2014 Continue reading »
