On a winter night in 2014 I stood by the side of a highway outside Damascus as a Syrian army officer shone a torch over the contents of my suitcase he had ordered me to empty onto the grey dirt. The young officer on checkpoint duty was a member of the elite Fourth Armoured Division Continue reading »
politics
Everyone has the odd “if only” thought from time to time. If only you had made a different career choice, if only you had not said the things you have said, or if only you had not done some of the things you have done. All those done and not done moments – those decisions Continue reading »
Ordinary humanity faces an emerging threat from the combined might of the Human Elites (billionaires and the military-political class) working with perhaps the greatest power the planet has ever seen: artificial intelligence. Their combined might has the potential to totally screw us. Happy New Year everyone. 2025 is set to be the ‘break-out year’ for Continue reading »
Just before Christmas, the Albanese Government released the findings of a report into how much funding the federal government contributes to those institutions around the country that research and report on the contemporary challenges facing Australian strategic policy. This is a significant report with important consequences for Australia’s global engagement. But it has not received Continue reading »
In early December, 2024, The University of Hong Kong (HKU) hosted a lucid dialogue entitled: “China in 2050 – Two Perspectives”. The presenters were recognised China scholars, Professor Rana Mitter of Harvard University and Professor Daniel Bell from HKU. “What might be a realistic and desirable future for China” was a primary question addressed. Although Continue reading »
Our annual trip to Queenscliff is a quaint step back in time: ye olde shoppes and seaside fun from a simpler time. There is history aplenty: a museum for the brave and uniquely talented Port Phillip pilots and a coastal defence fortification which recalls fears of invasion by Russia and the United States. Turning to Continue reading »
The world, thankfully, has come a long way from the time when animals as well as humans were put to death for unacceptable behaviour. Regrettably, Australia, a self-proclaimed abolitionist, is only really serious about capital punishment when the lives of its citizens are at stake. In 1662, in Connecticut, an otherwise respectable churchgoer named Potter Continue reading »
Billionaires gonna billionaire — and lick the boots of whoever will bring them more riches and impunity.
The post Facebook Fact Checks Were Never Going to Save Us. They Just Made Liberals Feel Better. appeared first on The Intercept.
How handsome, deft and strong you were in daring youth. How clear and clever you thought and ably spoke. You walked with grace and poise amidst all other folk; Your person brought a sense of thoughtful, stolid truth. But time has delivered a most unwelcome guest, Who slowly breaks your mind and cracks the Continue reading »
Indonesia’s new president, former disgraced general Prabowo Subianto, is making an awkward discovery: gaining respect in the international community as head of a nation of 280 million civilians is not the same as ordering a special squad to intimidate. You can’t force the masses to grow more food, work smarter and change habits – then Continue reading »