politics

Created
Wed, 31/01/2024 - 04:55
Just a fortnight to Indonesia’s big 14 February election and the mood is shifting as more than 200 million electors realise the reality – they’re being played by the oligarchs like puppets. Last month this column was getting ahead of itself by speculating that front-runner Prabowo Subianto, 73, a cashiered former general from last century’s Continue reading »
Created
Wed, 31/01/2024 - 05:01
We, and our fellow 50 Australian signatories, believe that it is time for the United States and China to enter into a comprehensive new détente, formally pledging to treat each other as mutually respectful equals, to resolve differences peacefully and to work together to advance global and regional goods like nuclear arms control, the mitigation Continue reading »
Created
Tue, 30/01/2024 - 04:51
Japan finds itself at a crucial juncture in its relationship with China, with an opportunity to recalibrate and enhance bilateral ties through a seemingly simple yet impactful diplomatic tool: visa policy. As reported by Kyodo News on Tuesday, China’s proposal to Japan—granting visa exemptions for diplomatic and official passport holders in exchange for resuming visa-free Continue reading »
Created
Tue, 30/01/2024 - 04:53
One of the many things Australians should consider as they contemplate our nationhood on the day set aside for this purpose is our glorious tradition of being not very good at fighting wars. We boast of our military traditions, our baptisms of fire and of our long traditions of unquestioning obedience and eager anticipation of Continue reading »
Created
Tue, 30/01/2024 - 04:54
Netanyahu and his supporters in Washington are playing for very high and dangerous stakes indeed as the Middle East war threatens to widen beyond Gaza. I will try in this unavoidably long essay to draw together the main political-military threads of the now very tangled situation across the Middle East, with the Gaza war as Continue reading »
Created
Tue, 30/01/2024 - 04:55
The International Court of Justice has responded rather toothlessly to South Africa’s appeal to the Genocide Convention. In less than a month, a similar result can be expected when Britain’s Royal Courts of Justice hear for Julian Assange’s last appeal against extradition to the United States. One case seeks to protect the lives and well-being Continue reading »