For most of the post-WW2 period, Washington’s strength rested on its ability to convince other nations that it was in their vital interests to see the United States prevail in its role as the global leader. Sometimes this was self-sabotaged by outbreaks of strident unilateralism, such as George W. Bush’s attack on Iraq in 2003. Continue reading »
politics
US presidents are losing their authority as the world’s policemen. Russia fights to keep Ukraine out of NATO. Israel fights in Gaza to wipe out the Palestinians. China and the Global South advance their national interests without fighting at all. All can and do ignore President Biden’s wishes. Then the current, soon-retiring, US policeman wants Continue reading »
In contrast to cricketer Usman Khawaja’s principled stand for human rights, the Liberal’s Simon Birmingham and Labor’s Josh Burns broadcast their judgements that the time is not right for a ceasefire. Commentary from these Australian MPs in response to slaughter in Gaza, both of whom are in Israel to show support for that country, shows Continue reading »
Accountability only works if information about government is readily available. And who doesn’t believe in accountability, at least in theory? While opposition political parties are ardent about freedom of information laws, for governments they’re a pain in the neck. More than with most other aspects of government, where you sit is where you are most Continue reading »
Self-employment has changed in recent years. It’s been both shrinking and becoming more precarious. Proportionately, there are fewer business owners and there’s more gig work. The reality is getting further away from what many have imagined. An idea that’s been going around for a long time held that freelancing is part of some entrepreneurial boom Continue reading »
While the speechless unite, in a silent accord. Australia’s Geopolitical Present and Future: Bethlehem through Poetry and Literature. An incomplete – very incomplete – snapshot of the current season of Advent: Internally the US is divided and its global leadership is crumbling; the Middle East, and Ukraine play insolent, obscene court jesters to kings, nobles, Continue reading »
Since coming to office in 2022, the Albanese Governments foreign policy has been dominated by its enthusiastic embrace of the AUKUS agreement with old allies, the United States and the United Kingdom. However these nations are totally out of step with global opinion about gross breaches of international law by the Netanyahu regime and neither Continue reading »
As Australia’s expands its support to the NATO proxy war against Russia it is critical that the Parliament plays a role in determining when we become involved in overseas conflicts. In January of this year, I posed the question is Australia currently at war? The evidence available at that time led to the conclusion that Continue reading »
Why Gaza urgently needs a plan B. War will drag on… It’s now clear that the Gaza War is far from over. Hamas refuses to surrender. Israel has rejected the UN General Assembly’s call for a cease fire and American pressure to lower the intensity of the war because it says Hamas would regroup and Continue reading »
Talks in public forums of saving Australia from China are disappointingly unrealistic. It is quite understandable that a world hitherto dominated by Western hegemony feels insecure in the light of China’s meteoric economic rise. However, such insecurity if not checked can lead to fear that compromises a person’s ability to make rational judgements. Fear arises Continue reading »