International relations
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Russian Ambassador Alexey Pavlovsky discusses Ukraine, Western influence and Australia’s role in the ongoing conflict
In this exclusive interview with Alexey Pavlovsky, the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Australia since 2019, he shares his insights on the complex dynamics between Russia, Ukraine, and the West, as well as his reflections on Australia’s stance in the ongoing conflict. Continue reading »
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Devil in the detail of UAE trade deal reveals failure on Labor policy
The Labor government has a policy which requires enforceable commitments to internationally recognised labour rights and environmental standards in trade agreements, and to safeguard the rights of First Nations peoples and women. The announcement of negotiations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) last year surprised many because the UAE has not ratified some basic labour Continue reading »
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America first, Earth last: Australia’s security now needs a climate focus
There’s a new, stark reality we must face: Donald Trump’s victory will push the Earth system further down a perilous path towards three degrees Celsius of global warming or more, with catastrophic consequences for human civilisation and the environment. Continue reading »
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The “Rules based International order”- illusion and reality
US and Australian politicians frequently refer to the rules based international order when attacking the actions of “official enemies”. Most Australians think that they are referring to the UN Charter and the basis of international law that it personifies. For those in the know international law also incorporates the binding resolutions of the UN Security Continue reading »
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The Gaza catastrophe: Compel Israeli and Western elites to see reason
Israel is determined to take over North Gaza. This explains its destruction of residential areas in the region. Schools and hospitals have also been targeted. People have been forced to flee their homes. Many who have chosen to stay behind have been killed. 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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Trump: a reality check for Australia
On Tuesday the American people spoke with clarity and determination. They voted for jobs, secure borders and to be able to look to the future in an uncertain world with confidence and optimism. What we know from Trump 1.0 is that he his true to his word. Continue reading »
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In failing to act, Australia shirks international law and enables genocide
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong’s response to Israel’s genocide in Palestine is an insult to Palestinians living under occupation, bombardment, and relentless oppression. It’s a shirking of Australia’s international obligations, and an affront to people of good conscience across this continent who, for 57 weeks, have rallied, protested, and pleaded for Australia to take a Continue reading »
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The axis of genocide
The West, “will stand by the Israeli regime until they exterminate the last Palestinian”, says Mohammad Seyed Marandi, an American-Iranian academic. “They will allow the extermination of the people of Gaza. And then if the Israelis go after the West Bank, they will allow for that to happen as well. Under no circumstances do I Continue reading »
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The US on the road to fascism: a time to loosen our ties
The fascist trend in America’s politics portends a lasting erosion of the underpinnings of the ties which have bound Australia to its most important ally and provides a powerful reason for us to loosen these ties. 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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Australia votes ‘Yes’ on UN nuclear war effects resolution
Australia has voted ‘yes’ to a UN resolution mandating the establishment of a research panel on the effects of nuclear war. The L39 resolution has been adopted by a massive majority in the First Committee of the UN General Assembly, with 144 governments voting in favour, 30 abstentions (including the US India, Ukraine and Israel), Continue reading »
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South Korean support for own nuclear arsenal grows as confidence in U.S. wanes
Public distrust in the reliability of the U.S. nuclear umbrella has sharply increased, with a majority of South Koreans now supporting the development of their own nuclear weapons, a recent survey shows. Continue reading »
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The festering sore of Western civilisation is the only soil in which genocide in Gaza could take root
Some days it’s hard to say which is more horrific: the Gaza genocide itself, or the moral decay throughout our society which makes it possible. Continue reading »
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Who should be the next emperor of the violent global imperium?
As US voters go to the polls on November 5th, they need to remind themselves that when the US elects its next domestic president, it is also selecting the emperor of a violent, global imperium. Choices made over sundry domestic issues have far reaching effects, far beyond local pocketbook or civil rights issues. They determine Continue reading »
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The ICJ advisory opinion and the UNGA response
A position paper has been published by the organisation BADIL in October, suggesting that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) decision on the illegality of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory further fragments the Palestinian people and marginalises their rights. Continue reading »
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Anomie: Enabled by Western media, Israel’s lies have become a galloping cancer
Israel’s unholy policy trinity – destroy, kill, lie – has been underway for decades. But since October 2023 it has reached horrific levels. The horror of Israeli destruction, torture and slaughter is apparently taken for granted by Israeli citizens and by supporters in western countries, largely because telling lies as a feature of warfare is Continue reading »
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The 2-Israel Problem
Palestine’s problem is only partly expressed as a frustrated 2-State Solution; it might, more effectively be understood as a 2-Israel problem. Continue reading »
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Israel shreds the UN as it seeks to ban UNRWA
Israel has knocked yet another nail in the United Nations system. Continue reading »
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The role of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in breaking trade barriers and fostering multilateralism
As the world faces increasingly complex challenges—from economic downturns to geopolitical tensions—regional organisations like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) are becoming ever more important in promoting multilateral cooperation. Continue reading »
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Keeping promises to the people of Bougainville
As anger boils among younger generations for allowing themselves to be conned by Australia on independence, a diplomacy of promise-keeping is needed to prevent the fragmentation of Bougainville, followed by the fragmentation of Papua New Guinea, writes John Braithwaite. Continue reading »
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Breaking the deadlock in Japan-North Korean relations
To break the deadlock in Japan-North Korea relations, Japan’s new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, has proposed liaison offices in the capitals of both countries to resolve the poisonous abductees issue – the fate of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea in the seventies and eighties. Continue reading »
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The foundation stones of reconciliation, truth telling postponed again
The failure of last year’s referendum still troubles the country. The focus on the Voice to Parliament took attention away from the far more consequential question of truth telling, while paradoxically displaying how much it is still needed. Continue reading »
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Israeli war crimes and crimes against humanity “extreme under any circumstances”
“The events since October 7 have been absolutely overwhelming. And that means they are overwhelming for everybody, but particularly for the people who are experiencing them, those who are suffering. The victims. It’s regularly said that October 7 represented the greatest killing of Jewish people since the Holocaust. And that’s correct. What’s said less frequently Continue reading »
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China looks to turn a page with Japan, Britain, and Israel
And India announces breakthrough with China on the troubled border. Continue reading »
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The terrifying parallels between 9/11 and Israel’s response to Oct. 7
The tragedy in the Middle East is that what Hamas’ Sinwar was to bin Laden, Israel is to America. Continue reading »
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Prabowo Subianto, j’accuse
In a just world, Prabowo Subianto should not be Indonesia’s new president. He ought to be facing the full strength of the law in court, if not serving time. 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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We need PM Ishiba’s NATO like we need a hole in the head…
It is difficult to reconcile new Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s expressions of concern for the security of his country with his advocation of an Asian version of NATO. Continue reading »
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The ghosts of 1982
The ghosts of 1982 are hovering over Beirut. Continue reading »
