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. He has already announced hostile trade measures – mostly in the form of tariffs, against America’s two immediate neighbours, Canada and Mexico. He has effectively announced new tariffs Continue reading »
USA
Before asking whether we are on the precipice of a calamitous war between the United States and China, we need to query who wants such a conflict and who will benefit from it. Certainly, arms manufacturers will gain. So will the media and global strategy pundits. All three will improve their businesses and their incomes. Continue reading »
In less than two weeks, when Donald Trump takes office, he will confront sharply conflicting advice on Ukraine from pro-war and anti-war camps in his incoming administration. We cannot predict the outcome, but here is relevant analysis of the choices facing him. I will offer first a précis of the known and increasingly agreed military Continue reading »
The Year of the Snake begins on 29 January. Over the next couple of weeks, fortune tellers will flood the press with their views, each with as much weight and reliability as the mottos in fortune cookies. Predicting the future by reference to zodiac signs may be as unscientific as other astrological or phrenological forecasts, Continue reading »
What do Panama, Canada and Greenland have in common? Could Donald Trump be getting the US back to brass tacks, to a core strategy of dominating the Western Hemisphere? Possibly, and he may be blowing away the fraudulent rhetoric about rules-based international order, territorial integrity, international law and the crusade to expand democracies. Trump said Continue reading »
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? As blusterer-in-chief, Donald Trump is notorious for setting off policy hares Continue reading »
How long will Elon Musk last in the Trump orbit? Currently he seems to be ubiquitous but that presents a problem for Donald Trump and his massive ego. Musk has been a major presence in the Trump campaign – financially, through social media and also through encouraging tech bro endorsements. He has been promised big Continue reading »