Why Australia needs new foreign relations law

The Morrison government is closing the door on a disastrous decade for Australia where our greed and naivety turned us wilfully blind to the predatory ambitions of China.

The worried West – Chronic decline or hypochondria?

Being Russian, North Korean or Chinese at this moment in history and watching liberal democracies talk themselves into decline must be odd but satisfying.

Decoding the ASEAN declaration

As the ASEAN summit wraps up, the Sydney Declaration has subtly taken Australia’s relationship with its closest Asian neighbours into new territory after a diverse week of engagement from soccer to social entrepreneurs.

The ‘Game of Thrones’ in our own backyard

Allan Gyngell, the National President of the Australian Institute of International Affairs, discussed the challenges posed by China’s growth at a recent NZIIA conference and warned that ‘winter is coming’.

Xi’s Chinese power grab weakens global democracy

Xi Jinping has rewritten the Chinese constitution to install himself as President for life and his ruthless power grab has wider implications for democracy in Asia and the rest of the world.

The future of ASEAN

Over five decades, ASEAN has helped to strengthen Southeast Asian political and economic relations, but important changes are required to ensure it remains relevant, including the addition of at least one more member state.

Time for a national strategy?

Australia needs a lot more than luck or a ‘she’ll be right’ attitude to thrive in the uncertain and hyper competitive 21st century. Without a national strategy, the shaping of Australia’s destiny will be left to fate at best, or to foreign influence at worst.

It’s time for a fresh start with ASEAN

Australia’s muddled relationship with ASEAN has cost the country exports and influence. The holding of the first Australia–ASEAN Special Summit in March 2018 offers a chance to get things right.

Australia-China Bilateral Relations: How Did We Get Here?

With Australia-China bilateral relations at close to a 10-year low, the Turnbull government would do well to reflect on what the past year’s negative approach to this important relationship has achieved.