“Humanity created its current dire trajectory. It is now time to change course with a binding global treaty designed to empower individuals, institutions, and policymakers, and through this shared effort, reduce the existential threats to civilisation. The Earth Systems Treaty is potentially a major step forward, a step towards a healthy future for all.”–Paul R. Continue reading »
International Relations
When corruption really gets into the bones of a society the damage it does to institutions can take generations to heal. Speech at the National Integrity Summit, Transparency International Australia, Melbourne, Wednesday, 30 August 2023. I acknowledge the people of the Kulin Nations, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we gather today. I Continue reading »
Like Paul Keating, Australians should be angry. Australia’s security is at risk. No other nation is so foolish, so self- delusional, so divorced from the basics of statecraft, nor so feckless with its citizens’ security in pursuit of America’s objectives. Shouldn’t we be white hot with rage at this government’s abdication of sovereignty? Australia’s security Continue reading »
There was little to connect AUKUS and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at the ALP National Conference except their shared “victory” in style over substance. AUKUS was locked into the party platform without meaningful debate. Revised wording on Israel/Palestine is worthy but will not make the slightest difference on the ground. With the mantra of “secure, well-paid, Continue reading »
President Joe Biden’s decision to skip Asean-related summits in the Indonesian capital Jakarta on Sept 5-7 in favour of the G-20 leaders’ meeting in India just two days later has been greeted with howls of disappointment and criticism around Southeast Asian capitals and elsewhere that are concerned about America’s role in the region. Mr Biden’s Continue reading »
Anthony Albanese needs to see for himself what the Chinese economic miracle looks like close up. It is time for Anthony Albanese to begin to understand what it is we are balancing with China, and what a challenge that is going to be. That the prime minister has mostly, but not entirely, clarified his position Continue reading »
In an increasingly globalised world where opportunity invites immigration, multiculturalism plays a significant role in facilitating deeper connections and embracing cultural diversity. A multicultural environment provides a uniform playing field and creates pathways of opportunity and future progress for all members, irrespective of their cultural or ethnic backgrounds. The belief that cultural identities should be Continue reading »
The just completed 15th BRICS Summit, held in Johannesburg, South Africa, has made some momentous decisions which will greatly effect the global geo-political order. Participating were the leaders of the current five BRICS countries; South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa as host, Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the Continue reading »
"If it is safe, dump it in Tokyo! If it is safe, test it in Paris! If it is safe, store it in Washington! But keep our Pacific nuclear free!"
The US government secretly told TikTok that it would not be banned in the country – if it allowed American agents access to the records of TikTok users, Forbes reported. TikTok has a billion users worldwide, with 150 million in the United States. Earlier, US politicians accused the company of being a Chinese “Trojan horse” Continue reading »