The narrative about the inevitability of a war with China began to dominate US strategic thinking in the second decade of the twenty-first century. The extraordinary growth of the Chinese economy in the first decade of this century deeply worried the neocons who control US foreign policy. As the size of the Chinese economy threatened Continue reading »
politics
Loud warnings of climate disaster continue. We could be in for a catastrophe from which there is no recovery. But we are dawdling along. It is time for more decisive action. Last November, opening the COP27 world climate conference in Cairo, António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, proclaimed “We are on a highway to Continue reading »
How is the war going? Two expert observers add to the confusion. Former British soldier Richard Iron, reflects on what he sees as the brittleness of Putin’s situation, thinks Putin could fall in a coup and predicts that Ukraine has a good chance of turfing Russians out of Ukraine altogether. American Professor John Mearsheimer, a Continue reading »
We’ve all heard the ‘rules-based order’ catchphrase a lot and Australia has historically been a great supporter, championing the major international institutions at the time of their establishment. In recent years, we have joined the refrain that this international order represents the agreed rules of the road, and there’s no reason to alter it. Sounds Continue reading »
There is a lot more substance to the Members of Parliament (Staff) Amendment Bill now before the Parliament than the Public Service Act Amendment Bill. But, once again, a key reform proposed by the Thodey Review and endorsed by the Robodebt Royal Commission is missing. The MOP(S) Amendment Bill originates primarily from the Jenkins Review Continue reading »
We know Australia’s got a problem when a cautious, technical, energy market operator says: “Imminent and urgent investment is needed, or the reliability of the NEM [National Electricity Market] will be at risk.” More broadly, Australia’s energy transition is at risk. But the federal government has the challenge and the opportunity to get things back Continue reading »
Australian novelist Yang Hengjun has been awaiting the verdict on his case in China for more than two years after being accused of spying. Now he fears he may die in detention
Australian entrepreneurs and investors are already looking to the new developments in our region for inspirations and opportunities. They might look no further than China. China is building an ecosystem attractive to global Artificial Intelligence (AI) talent and capital. The US-led tech lash against Chinese companies and suspicion of scientists of Chinese background have been Continue reading »
How the US has used its dollar privilege for its own interests, without regard to the damage it causes others, has not gone down well with developing countries. The BRICS’ formation and expansion must be seen for what it is: a rallying cry for a fairer world order. In January next year, six more countries – Continue reading »