America’s choice and Asia’s future

Whoever claims victory in the US presidential contest this week, Washington’s grasp over Asia’s future is on the wane.

Making supply chains great again

COVID-19 highlighted the interconnected nature of modern economies and how disruptions can spread rapidly to other countries through complex production systems.

Industrial policy won’t cure COVID woes

COVID-19 has seen governments unleash a fresh wave of industry policy as politicians abandon markets to boost their preferred industries, but it may end up doing more harm than good.

Populists in a pandemic

No amount of rhetorical smoke-and-mirrors can outweigh voters’ lived experiences of losing economic security or losing loved ones as a result of COVID-19 — as populist leaders the world over are now quickly learning.

The missing pieces in Australia’s security strategy

A more comprehensive national strategy should involve a commitment that optimises the deployment of all policy instruments — diplomatic and economic, as well as military — to safeguard Australia’s national interests abroad.

Securing supply chains after COVID-19

Supply chains can be made more resilient by making society more resilient. People should be able to shift jobs to respond to crises and external shocks as production priorities change rapidly.

Invest the fiscal stimulus to fight climate change

With economies in free-fall, all governments, including Australia’s, are on the hunt for opportunities to stimulate their economies while, ideally, addressing long-term challenges. Action on climate change provides a raft of opportunities to do both.

Regional leadership and responses to the coronavirus

Greater communication and coordination between all countries is needed until the scientific community develops a vaccine to halt the spread of the new coronavirus.

Australia – The hapless country?

On climate change and Australia’s geopolitical future, political time is running out. Whatever the sentiment before this summer’s horrific fires, the political pressure on Morrison’s febrile coalition has increased dramatically.

Japan’s big society: a Chinese perspective on the earthquake

Xia Shu in Beijing wrote this Chinese perspective on the Japanese earthquake for ifeng.com which was translated by David Kelly from UTS Sydney and is shared thanks to East Asia Forum.

Japan’s most recent earthquake has once again reminded us all of the tragedy of the unpredictable and the futility of human strength. These days, no one can be completely safe from natural disasters; all of us live in an era of risk.