Between the Lines

It was called Russia-gate and it’s now been found to have been a complete fabrication. It was based on the widespread claim that Donald Trump was a Kremlin agent, and his victory in the presidential election in 2016 was due to his campaign’s collusion with Russia.

If the west’s wealth is based on slavery, should reparations be paid? Or does Africa instead need moral accountability from its own leaders and honesty among its intellectuals about what the trans-Atlantic trade entailed.

A new book tells the stories of people who took part in the Cultural Revolution and what is has cost them. It also examines its importance and its connection to China today.

Kim Yo Jong is the sister of North Korean dictator, Kim Jong Un. She’s known as the most powerful woman in the hermit kingdom. Could she also be her brother’s successor?

We look at why pro-interventionist views dominate the front pages and media airwaves.

We look back at a year that many want to see the back of. From the war in Ukraine to conflict in the Middle East and a polarised and deeply divided America. 

China is addicted to Australian gas and coal – but it’s leading the world towards a greener future. How has China come to dominate the renewables market so dramatically?

One of America’s foremost foreign policy thinkers, Eliot Cohen defends Israel's offensive in Gaza and is critical of UN Secretary General Antonio Gutteres' statements about the conflict. Mr Cohen, a leading neo conservative, is no fan of Donald Trump and says he may not get the chance to run in next year's presidential election.

Will events in the Middle East continue to overshadow what’s happening in Ukraine? Kyiv says it's concerned that the conflict is now becoming a 'sideshow'.

Political analysts in Britain says it's the last roll of the dice for prime minister Rishi Sunak and the conservative government. The Tories have resurrected former PM, David Cameron is a desperate bid to inject stability into a government already running on empty.

Both China and Australia have hailed the thaw in diplomatic relations, following the PM’s visit to Beijing and Shanghai. So, does this reset the relationship with China? – and what is Beijing hoping to gain from a warming relationship with Australia?

A look at what lies behind the sad state of today’s Republicans — the party of Lincoln, Eisenhower and Reagan. 

A fascinating perspective from Professor John Mearsheimer on the situation in the Middle East, the Russia Ukraine war and America's pivot to Asia in a bid to to contain a rising China

Earlier this year the Voice campaign was ahead. It had the backing of corporates, philanthropists, unions - even sporting codes. So what happened that made it fail so spectacularly?

Hamas’s surprise attack, Israel’s response and what this war means for the broader Persian Gulf. 

The Canadian-born British businessman who built one of the world's largest newspaper groups in the 1990's ruminates on  his rivalry with Rupert Murdoch, Donald Trump's second run for presidency and the threat to free speech that is ‘cancel culture’.

Many Americans think Joe Biden is too old to run for president again in 2024. So, is he a dangerous choice for the Democrats? And could Donald Trump defeat him in next November's election?

Is our past being misrepresented in our schools, cultural institutions and broader society? Is it correct to present the history of the West as one only of shame, apology and reparations?

The Voice commands massive financial support from big business and the rich philanthropists, yet public support is declining. Why?

It was a presidential election Hubert Humphrey versus Richard Nixon and it was marked by bitterness arising from the Vietnam War, the civil rights movement and the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy.

As the Northern Winter approaches, speculation is rife that Russia will now try to freeze Kyiv into submission by targeting gas and electricity supply.

In 2014 Islamic State, or ISIS, shocked the world by capturing the northern Iraqi city of Mosul and went on to seize large parts of western Iraq and eastern Syria. But in three short years it lost it all. So, why is ISIS much reduced from the all-conquering force it once was, and could it make a[...]

How successful are Indonesian rehabilitation programs and how are authorities dealing with recidivists?

Biden’s greatest vulnerability is his age. Trump’s greatest vulnerability is, well, Trump. And, his legal troubles could get worse in the next year. What could possibly go wrong? 

One observer says Ukrainians remain determined to do whatever it takes to defeat Russia

Is the Uluru Statement from the Heart "militant"? and are the Commonwealth Games beyond saving ?

One historian says 1848 can’t be dismissed as a political dead end and was “the only truly European revolution that there has ever been.”

Has a 17-year-old Brisbane schoolboy got the answer to our energy woes?

Is Vladimir Putin out for the count? A new strain of Covid is on the way - but do we care? and the latest on the Voice

Could China's meddling in Canadian politics bring down Justin Trudeau? Tony Abbott on the Libs demise & The Voice and why Trump and Johnson lost high office for similar reasons

North Korea's nuclear ambitions and it's ring of steel, a look back at Gough Whitlam's foreign policy and is Ukraine's fight Australia's fight?

Is US support for Ukraine waning? The Russia-gate lie and how the media fell for it and what would a Trump comeback mean for Australia?

Why support is waning for The Voice, Syria's Assad coming in from the cold and the fight to free Hong Kong's billionaire pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai 

Albo's report card after 12 months as PM, a shock result in the Thai elections and the life and times of US statesman George Schultz.

Daniel Gordis reflects on Israel’s achievements over the past 75 years and discusses the challenges ahead. Ken Setiawan and Greg Earl consider how history should treat Suharto, Indonesian’s longest serving president. Simon Heffer responds to the critics of British colonialism and empire.

Two young Australians debate who should be Australia’s Head of State. Matthew Dallek’s new book: How the John Birch society radicalised the American right. Australia's pre-eminent foreign policy practitioner - the late Allan Gyngell.

Alexander Downer sees an unwanted trend in Australian political debate. Democrat Julian Epstein explains why he’s no fan of Biden’s 2024 run for President. Amy Nelson assesses the risks and dangers posed by Europe's largest nuclear power plant that's in the middle of a war zone in Ukraine.

Mary Dejevsky on France’s President Macron’s and his vision for a more independent Europe. Prominent right of centre commentator Chris Kenny explains why he supports the Voice. Eric Boehm examines the shifting politics behind the DeSantis - Disney feud.

Shireen Morris and Greg Sheridan discuss the case for and against The Voice. Gerard Henderson acknowledges that the Liberal party does face major problems but warns it's premature to, once again, write their obituary                                                         [...]

Andrew Neil surveys the state of politics around the world and asks if could we see a replay of Biden vs Trump in 2024? Caroline Overington explains why children's books shouldn't be rewritten or sensitised.

Sophie Pedder on French politics and why President Macron is so unpopular. Rajiv Chandrasekaran explains why recovery took so long and what life is like in Iraq today. Jeffrey Wall and how sport can enhance Australia’s standing in the Pacific.

Peter Hartcher responds to Paul Keating’s concerns over AUKUS. David Frum on divisions over foreign policy and Ukraine in the |Republican Party. Su-Lin Ong and Jo Masters consider Australia’s economic outlook in turbulent times.

20 years after the 'coalition of the willing' confronted Iraq's Saddam Hussein –why did it happen and was it a big mistake?South Africa has deep connections to Soviet Union yet claims to be non aligned — so how does it navigate the tricky path between the great powers

Stephen Walt considers America's place in a world where it no longer enjoys unchallenged primacy. How South-East Asia views Australia's new security and defence pacts. Isabel Oakeshott on the UK's pandemic response.

Barclay Bram and why the reluctance to have children in China. Mahir Momand compares life in Afghanistan before and after the withdrawal of US troops. Parnell McGuiness asks is it a public debate or a culture war.

Mary Dejevsky examines the political aftershocks in Turkey, Syria and beyond. Bjorn Lomborg and why we’re not on track to meet UN 2030 sustainable development goals. James Mann reflects on President Jimmy Carter's foreign policy legacy.

Walter Russell Mead considers what an Arab – Israeli alliance might mean for the Palestinians. Neil Brown, a former coalition frontbencher, explains why he’s dissatisfied with the modern-day Liberal party. Hazel Edwards discusses the writer and cultural appropriation.

Ted Galen Carpenter discusses his new book Unreliable Watchdog: The News Media and U.S. Foreign Policy. Amanda Hodge reports on resistance and a protracted insurgency in Myanmar. Charlie Cooper explains why Europe is in better shape than expected after round 1 of its energy war with Russia.

Daniel Hannan assesses how Britain has fared in the three years since it formally left the European Union. Amanda Stoker and Georgina Downer discuss how the Liberal party might bounce back. A tribute to the former diplomat Richard Woolcott.

Loved and respected internationally but what do New Zealanders think of Jacinda Ardern’s five years a PM?  The war grinds on but is a Ukrainian victory against Russia inevitable? Following the death of NSW Senator Jim Molan there’s now a vacancy in the senate, so does former PM Tony Abbott have something to offer?

Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price explains why she opposes an Indigenous voice to parliament. Margaret Cameron- Ash’s story of how Britain beat France to Botany Bay. Andrew Roberts on Britain's most misunderstood monarch.

John Howard discusses how ‘a sense of balance’ has underpinned Australia's success and prosperity. Nelly Lahoud on Osama Bin Laden's declassified personal papers.

Kishore Mahbubani and does Australia really understand the region? Sheila Fitzpatrick's short history of the Soviet Union and Cassandra Steer on the unresolved issues of the new space race.

Kylie Moore-Gilbert's memoir My 804 days in an Iranian prison. Francis Fukyuama’s Liberalism and its discontents and Kevin Rudd’s the Avoidable War.

Highlights from 2022; Demographer Nicholas Eberstadt, writer and anti-woke warrior Lionel Shriver and why Disney world Florida’s special zoning status is threatened by Governor Ron DeSantis.

Peter Jennings and Mary Kissel review a turbulent year in international affairs. Ken Seitawan discusses Indonesia's democratic back sliding. Alex Joske on how Australia weathered China's intimidation campaign.

Journalists Jennifer Hewett and Judith Sloan review the year in Federal politics. Steve Malanga on legal pot and a growing black market. Louise Perry explains why more conservative thinking could better serve feminism and the interests of women.

Analysis and commentary on Pakistan’s Imran Khan’s prospects for a political comeback and in Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, another veteran leader, forms a new coalition government. David Kemp on Liberalism in Australia 1966 – 2022

Peter Costello's assessment of the Australian economy. Jacqueline Peel discusses what happened at the recent climate change summit in Egypt. Anna Vallianatou shares her concerns over EU asylum policy in Greece.

Xi Jinping meets western leaders and Ukraine pushes back Putin's army - but is the world becoming a safer place? Gideon Rachman and Sir Lawrence Freeman. Iranian women's fight against tyranny                                      Nos Hosseini: The Iranian Women's Association and Kylie[...]

The US midterms Analysis and commentary on the early results with Nicole Hemmer Political historian, Vanderbilt University and Nick Minchin, Australian Consul General in New York 2013 — 2017.The US vs China and the economic battle for high tech supremacy. Alice Han: Director of China research at Greenmantle, a US-based advisory group.Malaysia votes A preview of the[...]

Achieving global net zero at COP 27 ? Opposing views from; Rupert Darwall, author of The Age of Global Warming: A History and Dorinda Cox: Greens Senator from Western Australia.What demography can tell us about international relations. Nicholas Eberstadt: American Enterprise Institute, Washington.What's wrong with identity politics. Mary Eberstadt: the Catholic Information Center, Washington DC.[...]

The Anglosphere's conservatives and their deep divisions  Richard Tice: Leader UK Reform Party, Henry Olsen: Columnist Washington Post, John Roskam: Former head of the Institute of Public Affairs consider the fault lines and the state of affairs on the right. The protests in Iran. More than just a revolt over women forced to wear head scarves. The[...]

Kevin Rudd assesses Xi Jinping's agenda over the next 5 years and beyond. Jonathan Sumption warns of cancel culture's threat to democracy. Kira Pronin considers the shift in Swedish politics and the reasons behind it.

How do Australia's friends and allies view the Russian- Ukrainian conflict and the rise of China? Richard Fontaine CEO, Centre for New American Security. Iwashita Akihiro: Professor at the Slavic-Eurasian Research Centre, Hokkaido University, Japan. Also, outspoken writer and columnist Lionel Shriver critiques contemporary culture and  progressive politics.

The 2002  Bali bombing. Australian / Indonesian relations then and now. Greg Fealy: Emeritus Professor, Indonesian politics, ANU.1972 Nixon goes to China. 50 years ago U.S President Richard Nixon surprises the world by visiting communist China. Evelyn Goh: Professor of Strategic Policy Studies, ANU1962 The Cuban missile crisis. Are there lessons for today as once again a nuclear armed Russia confronts[...]

Putin raises the stakes over Ukraine, China's great leap forward and the West's energy transition and setting the record straight on King George III

Europe’s under pressure as Putin threatens to go nuclear and the energy crisis worsens. Plus what does feeling less British mean for Australia's republicans. And what were the politics behind our pandemic response? 

How King Charles might act as a counterweight to Liz Truss's conservative government. How Malcolm Turnbull helped defeat Scott Morrison. The geo- politics behind the new space race.

David Flint reflects on the passing of the monarch. What to expect from Britain's new PM. Why broken windows policing is needed and misunderstood. Cindy Yu – a shill for China's communist party?

In a wide ranging conversation John Howard reflects on the issues he raises in his new book A Sense of Balance. An update on Myanmar where the military oppression of the pro-democracy movement intensifies.

John Bolton offers his insights and assessment of the state of international relations. Joanne Masters and John Kehoe discuss the gloomy conditions that the global economy is experiencing and how Australia is faring.

Does Australia really understand the region? The biography of Leonie Kramer. Daniel Mulino's ideas to reform and support Australia's welfare system.

Jacinta Nampijinpa Price explains why she opposes an Indigenous Voice to Parliament. Is the renewable energy transition agenda in sync with global political and economic reality?

Between the Lines puts contemporary international issues and events into a broader historical con...

John Mearsheimer explains why the war in Ukraine is ‘foolish and unnecessary. Former P.M Malcolm Turnbull reflects on Taiwan, China, the U.S and Australian relations. A review of Federal Parliament’s first sitting weeks.

What was uncovered during the Jan 6th hearings and what might it mean for Donald Trump's presidential ambitions. Press freedom in the Philippines and latest news on shutting down Marie Ressa's news site Rappler. How to make the perpetrators of war crimes accountable.

Madeleine Schwartz offers her observations on the trial of the terrorists who killed 130 people across Paris in 2015.Patrick Roberts highlights the role and place of tropical forests in our evolutionary story.Mathieu Boulegue discusses how melting sea ice is leading to increased geopolitical interest and competition in the polar regions.

As Japan reels in shock after the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinto Abe, what is the way forward for Japan's national life ? Lack of affordable housing in large American cities has led to a fast growing exponential homelessness crisis. What can Australia learn from the U.S. to solve rising homelessness in the face[...]

Australia is ill prepared for the new reality of climate disasters and the crisis in Sri Lanka, some are calling for an emergency election and what is needed from the international community

What do people think about Australia’s foreign policy. Results from the 2022 Lowy pollIn troubled times do UN Peacekeepers make a difference?The challenges for Papua New Guinea as they head to a general election.

Olivier Knox discusses the mostly Republican witness testimony on the January 6th attack on the US Capitol building.Cindy McCreery looks at CHOGM — the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Rwanda and the organisation's purpose, place and priorities.Steve Ratuva explains why Australia, and other big powers, are guilty of overlooking and under estimating Pacific Island[...]

What it will take for Ukraine to be able to join the EU?Has Australia has signed up for too many strategic regional groups and dialogues and is it time to review and prioritise?What’s at stake in battle between the State of Florida and the Disney corporation?

Greg Barton reviews Prime Minister Albanese’s official visit to Indonesia.A blunt assessment of Boris Johnson’s tenure as UK PM.Would things turn out differently for President Richard Nixon if Watergate occurred today?

Ukrainian MP Kira Rudik urges for more support during her speaking tour of Western Europe and describes the situation in her war torn country. William Stoltz discusses his new paper ‘A regrettable necessity: The future of Australian covert action.Anthropologist Manvir Singh considers the prevalence of ownership and private property rights in hunter gather societies and[...]

Damien Cave, the New York Times bureau chief here in Australia considers the big fault lines that have led to deep and lasting divisions in US politics and society.Richard McGregor reviews the grand tours by the U.S President and the Chinese Foreign Minister through the Asia Pacific.It's crowded and anytime now a fight could break out but[...]

Osama Bin Laden’s declassified personal papers and correspondence have prompted a re-evaluation of the infamous terrorist and his reach, power and influence following the 9/11 attacks.From Beirut, Kim Ghattas reports on Lebanon’s election results. Is there is any light at the end of the tunnel for this deeply troubled country?

Why and how did Ferdinand Jnr win so convincingly in this week’s election in the Philippines?What’s life like under the Taliban for the long suffering people of Afghanistan.How the geopolitical realities of Europe play out both on and off the stage at Eurovision.

(Repeats) Former Prime Minister John Howard evaluates his time in office.Peter Edwards and Jacinta Carroll on the Dept. of Home Affairs and the legacy of the Hope Royal Commissions into intelligence. Oxford university historian Rana Mitter on how the new Chinese nationalism is being shaped by a re-interpretation of China's role in World War Two.

James Philips discusses the American constitution-its origins and influences. Deborah Tabart’s passionate advocacy for the koala. Jonathan Dimbleby’s WW2 history: Operation Barbarossa and how Hitler lost the war.

Journalists Chris Kenny and Jacqueline Maley assess the Federal election campaign. Gideon Rachman discusses the rise and popularity of the autocrats. Kylie Moore-Gilbert's memoir Uncaged sky: My 804 days in an Iranian gaol.

Veteran correspondent Jean Lee explains why 'it never pays to forget North Korea'. Steven Schwartz remembers those brave souls who challenged and changed mainstream thought. Shelia Fitzpatrick's concise history of the Soviet Union: from Lenin to Gorbachev.

Francis Fukuyama defends liberalism and assesses the situation in Ukraine. Former P.M Kevin Rudd offers a way forward in the fraught China–U.S relationship.

Ed Luce discusses Biden's 'gaffe' and the illusion of global consensus on Ukraine. Anne-Marie Brady explains why China's move in the South Pacific is concerning and provocative. Margret Cameron-Ash offers a new account of how and why Britain established a penal colony in Australia.

Former Minister for Foreign Affairs - Alexander Downer discusses international relations. Max Hastings contrasts the 1962 Cuban missile crisis with the current situation in Ukraine.Economists Su-Lin Ong and Joanne Masters offer their views on the Australian economy and the global economic outlook

Is a rules based world order still possible?Putin’s 2015 war in Syria and the legacy of his strategically successful intervention.Malcolm Fraser- a dominant figure in Australian political history. Geoff Raby assesses his foreign policy record.

The invasion of Ukraine has triggered a marked change in attitudes towards security in Europe and Asia with both Germany and Japan increasing their spending on defence.Anne Henderson's biography of Liberal senator Margaret Guilfoyle.

Putin's domestic opposition. The view from South-East Asia. Prospects for net zero.

John Bolton: the Ukraine, Russian and China. 'Only Richard Nixon could go to China in 1972' – Evelyn Goh explains how and why. Parnell McGuiness on the left's double standards.

A challenge to the mindset that the U.S can be everywhere all the time. Does Albo have the right tools to do the job as PM ? Australia attacked 80 years ago. Satirist P.J O'Rourke remembered.

Myanmar: The state of the nation one year after the military coup. Winston Churchill's legacy critically reappraised. Cartoonist Bill Leak remembered.

Paul Kelly's new book Morrison's Mission, China's growing influence in the South Pacific and the pandemic's social and cultural legacy.

Tensions increase between the US and Russia over Ukraine, will 'Party-gate' bring down Boris Johnson? And reading the federal election tea leaves

What can past pandemics, earthquakes, famines or wars teach us about how to prepare for the next one?

Who were the Russian migrants who made it to Australia during the Cold War?

After the recent passing of Andrew Peacock, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg describes his legacy; and former treasurer, Chris Bowen, says the fakes, the fraudsters and the snake-oil merchants are winning the political contests.

Nicolle Flint MP talks about the sexist abuse she’s faced throughout her career, not from within her own party, but from political opponents and activists outside of Canberra; and does 'cancel culture' threaten what remains of our liberal public discourse, or is uncensored free speech a dangerous proposition?

It's 25 years since the coalition was elected to an eleven year term in power. As leader, John Howard represents one of the greatest political comebacks in modern history. How did he do it?

As the US-China rivalry intensifies, what does it mean for Australia?

Biden's approach to foreign policy, the crisis of Australian democracy, and 80 years since Pearl Harbour

America won the Cold War but why did they lose the post-Soviet peace? And the far-right's unlikely shift to end climate change skepticism

Does America’s inflation rate mean faster rising interest rates in Australia? And what does the disappearance of Peng Shuai say about China?

Did Putin really play a role in Trump's 2016 election victory? And the US-China pact for action on climate change

Is the India - Australia relationship even more important than the Quad?

Will Glasgow address the right issues to tackle climate change?

The balancing act of teaching both Indigenous and European- Australian history. And the Chinese government denial of the Wuhan lab 'theory'

Can anything meaningful be achieved at COP26? And the passing of Colin Powell

After the 'boring' result of the recent election, what is Germany's post-Angela Merkel future? And two opposing senators take on China.

Are vaccine passports the answer to achieving a COVID-normal life? And how the Philippines are targeted by China

Will our new security alliance with the US and the UK just provoke China? And Anthony Albanese on his working-class constituents.... and rugby league

Does the AUKUS alliance constitute a loss of sovereignty? And how the next generation will cope with the COVID recovery

Paying tribute to Neville Bonner, our first Aboriginal MP and how has North Korea's tyrannical regime coped with COVID-19?

Bush, Obama, Trump or Biden: who should we blame for the crisis in Afghanistan? And COVID has exposed our increasingly fractured federation. But was it flawed at its 1901 inception?

How has ISIS affected the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan? And Philip Ruddock on the 20th anniversary of the Tampa crisis

How does the Taliban victory in Afghanistan affect America's reputation?

As the Taliban storms into Kabul, Paul Wolfowitz reflects on the 'never-ending war' and Biden's withdrawal of troops

Could the 2020s be a good economic decade for developing nations? And the very interesting Labor people you’ve never heard about

Indonesia is now the epicentre of COVID. How did the outbreak spiral out of control? And the 'Wuhan lab' theory gains more attention

It’s been 18 months since the COVID outbreak in Australia, yet half the country is in lockdown. Is a zero cases strategy still justified?

Is Canberra’s response to China in our national interest or is it driven by hysteria and xenophobia?

Is Australia’s climate stance an outlier in the court of global opinion or is the whole world still heavily addicted to fossil fuels?; and can nuclear energy help us reach net emission goals faster than other approaches?

The Taliban is set to increase its control over Afghanistan. How much responsibility for this impending disaster lies with the withdrawal of troops?

50 years ago Gough Whitlam led an opposition Labor Party delegation to China. At the same time, President Nixon announced his own invitation to the Communist country.

Does the change in Israeli leadership open the way for a renewal of the "peace process" between Israelis and Palestinians?; and the global powerlessness to stop the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar

Was Stalin's Russia the real force behind Hitler's defeat?

How did the English and American Revolutions produce the American Constitution?; and how the US helped save the iconic Australian koala.

What can past pandemics, earthquakes, famines or wars teach us about how to prepare for the next one?

Foreign-policy experts dominate our China debate but it's the next generation who will bear the consequences. What do they think should happen next?

Who were the Russian migrants who made it to Australia during the Cold War?

Is China's pledge to cut its carbon footprint, genuine? Or a ploy to keep its trading partners happy?; and an unexpected win for Britain's Tory Party

India is now the epicentre of the pandemic and on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe. Has Modi let his people down in their hour of need?; and why Australia is supercharging its digital engagement with south-east Asia.

President Joe Biden outlined his economic, climate and diplomatic plans in his first speech to joint sessions of Congress. Can he really promote democracy in a world growing more dangerous?; and when the US-led attack on the Bay of Pigs failed, Castro’s prestige was greatly enhanced while the Americans were met with embarrassment and scorn.

After the recent passing of Andrew Peacock, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg describes his legacy; and former treasurer, Chris Bowen, says the fakes, the fraudsters and the snake-oil merchants are winning the political contests.

Nicolle Flint MP talks about the sexist abuse she’s faced throughout her career, not from within her own party, but from political opponents and activists outside of Canberra; and does 'cancel culture' threaten what remains of our liberal public discourse, or is uncensored free speech a dangerous proposition?

Should philanthropy have to fill the funding gap between state and federal government? Surely it is our leaders' responsibility to provide the mental health needs of all Australians; and while there is work to be done, Australia has done everything possible to economically recover from the pandemic.

British Robert Walpole served for 21 years as the very first prime minister. Robert Menzies held office in Australia for 18 years. What distinguishes a good prime minister from a bad one? Has the job become impossible?

Bangladesh was labelled a 'basket case' when independence was established. Now it is a booming nation. How did they do it? Also; Trump led America down the slippery slope of division, then left office. Can the wide-spread tension be resolved?

A decade after the civil war, is Syria the new Lebanon?; The Labor party won the WA election in a landslide, but will Premier Mark McGowan go the distance?; and Putin's revival of the 'iron curtain'.

Global disasters can require deeper government intervention in the economy and society. Could some of the measures taken during the pandemic, remain in place after it passes? And what does it mean for liberalism?; Also, do Harry and Meghan have a point about the toxic royal 'firm', or is all this drama just jeopardising the[...]

Centre-left parties are bleeding the blue-collar vote to the conservatives. Globally. How can the ALP broaden its appeal? Also, with the benefit of hindsight, was the 'Arab Spring' ever going to deliver democracy to the Middle East?

It's 25 years since the coalition was elected to an eleven year term in power. As leader, John Howard represents one of the greatest political comebacks in modern history. How did he do it?

With China’s rise as a great power, it is paying more attention to reclaiming territory, like Taiwan, that it has long regarded as its own. How should the US and its allies, including Australia, counter Beijing’s conduct? Also, is the West’s hostility towards Putin just driving Moscow closer to Beijing?

A decade ago, the Arab Spring promised to end dictatorship and bring self-government to people across the Middle East. Yet it mostly led to either renewed dictatorship, civil war, extremist terror, or all three. Also; after five decades of military dictatorship came to an end in Myanmar, the armed forces there retained a significant hold[...]

The relationship between China and Australia continues to deteriorate and it goes beyond trade sanctions. By standing up to China, is Canberra just 'pulling the tail of the tiger'? Or are we right to protect our national sovereignty?

Re-naming Australia Day won't help, says a prominent leader of our Indigenous community, who defends our national holiday. Jacinta Nampijinpa-Price says that moves to call January 26, “invasion day”, are pointless and divisive. They won't help Aboriginal Australians, especially those in remote communities, who suffer from profound disadvantage. Also, America post Trump. How will Joe[...]

Is the Department of Home Affairs too big? Peter Edwards and Jacinta Carroll on the legacy of the Hope Royal Commissions into intelligence which recommended a clear separation between intelligence collection and policy making. Also: China's Good War. Oxford university historian Rana Mitter on how the new Chinese nationalism is being shaped by a re-interpretation[...]

Joshua Landis: The French mandate and Lebanese historyLebanon was once a model for the Middle East. Today, it looks more like Syria or Iraq. Why? And should the French be held accountable?Joshua Landis, Director: Centre for Middle East Studies and Associate Professor, University of OklahomaJapan’s POWs: systematic mistreatment?During World War Two more Australians died in[...]

Weighing up Turnbull’s legacyFormer Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull recently published his memoir A Bigger Picture.  In it he settles old scores with colleagues over his 2018 ousting, which he describes as an “act of madness.”What is his legacy, and how will history judge our nation’s twenty ninth Prime Minister?Jacqueline Maley, columnist at The Sydney Morning[...]

Shinzo Abe resignationShinzo Abe is Japan’s most successful post-war political leader. Recently, he resigned for health reasons. So what is his legacy for Japan and the wider region? Plus, Putin’s People: how the KGB took back Russia and then took on the West.Journalist Catherine Belton explains how tensions in Belarus and the poisoning of anticorruption campaigner[...]

Defending the right to offend China on campusThis year, Human Rights Watch Australia Director Elaine Pearson was interviewed by the media department at the University of New South Wales about the human rights implications of Hong Kong's new national security law. Her comments on Hong Kong new national security legislation upset some students. They claimed[...]

If we use what we have learned from 2020, 'Utopia' can be ours; and with the rise of China, what is next for the USA?

2020 has many contenders for events with enormous consequence: the COVID pandemic, racial tensions, cancel culture and China, to name a few. It's easy to identify the 'losers', but who are the 'winners' who managed to lead in such uncertain times?

Calls are growing for Canberra to end our dependence on China, but can Australia afford to cut ties with our most important trading partner? Also, should Beethoven be subject to 'cancel culture'?

The 9/11 terrorist attacks in the US are arguably the most significant and consequential events of the past 20 years. But beyond the initial 'shock and awe' revenge on al Qaida, the war on terror had only just begun.

Boris Johnson has cleared out leading Bexiteers, who’ve run his government since he became prime minister. Now what for Britain as it prepares for life after the EU? Also, is a Royal Commission into media diversity justified?

As Trump leaves office it seems that 'Trumpism' is here to stay. Should Trump's base trust a new leader? Also, on the 45th anniversary of the Dismissal, evidence shows that there was no conspiracy between Buckingham Palace and Governor General Sir John Kerr.

How will it be possible for Trump or Biden to govern the US when tension is at its worst since the Civil War?; and how Emmanuel Macron defend press freedoms in secular France in the face of the Islamist challenge?

Donald Trump’s foreign policy is usually met with derision. But while critics mock his diplomacy just days away from the US presidential election, Trump has had a few victories to put in his closing advertising pitch to the American people. Also, for more than a quarter century, no Republican won the presidency or ran the[...]

Jacinda Ardern’s Labour Party has won a stunning victory in a landslide election but if NZ does not sort out its economic challenges quickly, could our trans-Tasman cousins become a failed state? Also, COVID-19 won’t spell the end of capitalism, but will the US move closer towards government intervention for complex issues like the pandemic?[...]

Modern slavery has worsened with the economic fallout of COVID. As the supply chain falters during the global lockdown, sacked workers have become even more vulnerable to exploitation. Also, is the US guilty of breaking the rules that they themselves, recommended?

Trump's response to COVID and the farcical presidential debate cause yet more concern for the US election. If America no longer stands as a global inspiration, where does that leave us? Also, China has been hailed as the world’s great hope for slashing carbon emissions.But if Beijing needs fossil fuels to grow the economy and[...]

As the Liberal Government prepares for the federal budget, is it going through an ideological revolution? For several decades, conservatives have supported smaller government and fiscal prudence but the coronavirus has meant that Scott Morrison has broken with tradition. Also, how does the world ensure that Xi Jinping’s China lives in a rules-based liberal international[...]

Is Donald Trump a better bet for Asia than Joe Biden? While the region’s political elites are far more worried about China than climate change, Trump is more focused on containing China than decarbonising the global economy. Also, why does the West want to isolate Russia, when it has only had negative results in the[...]

Australia’s economy is recovering more strongly from COVID than other comparable countries. Why? Thank China. And can Donald Trump once again defy the odds and win re-election? Yes he can, if it becomes a choice race and not a referendum on his personality.

Is the Department of Home Affairs too big? Peter Edwards and Jacinta Carroll on the legacy of the Hope Royal Commissions into intelligence which recommended a clear separation between intelligence collection and policy making. Also: China's Good War. Oxford university historian Rana Mitter on how the new Chinese nationalism is being shaped by a re-interpretation[...]

Shinzo Abe resignationShinzo Abe is Japan’s most successful post-war political leader. This week he resigned for health reasons. So what is his legacy for Japan and the wider region? Plus, Putin’s People: how the KGB took back Russia and then took on the West.Journalist Catherine Belton explains how tensions in Belarus and the poisoning of anticorruption[...]

What do the neighbours think?South-east Asia is increasingly anxious about the rise of China. But what does the region think about an erratic and uncertain America?Also:  To start a warRobert Draper with the most comprehensive account of the Bush administration’s decision to invade Iraq.

Joshua Landis: The French mandate and Lebanese historyLebanon’s was once a model for the Middle East. Today, it looks more like Syria or Iraq. Why? And should the French be held accountable?Also; Japan’s POWs: systematic mistreatment?During World War Two more Australians died in Japanese prisoner of war camps than were killed in combat. Conventional wisdom[...]

Joe Biden picks Kamala Harris for Vice PresidentIf Joe Biden wins the US election he will be the oldest person ever to make it to the White House. His age at swearing in would be 78 – older than Ronald Reagan was when he left office.Not surprisingly, Biden has said he wanted a running mate[...]

Defending the right to offend China on campusLast week, Human Rights Watch Australia Director Elaine Pearson was interviewed by the media department at the University of New South Wales about the human rights implications of Hong Kong's new national security law. Her comments on Hong Kong new national security legislation upset some students. They claimed[...]

All way with DJT?This week Defence Minister Linda Reynolds and Foreign Minister Marise Payne flew to Washington to attend the annual Ausmin talks. The backdrop to this year’s talks is a series of escalating events and rhetoric on Hong Kong’s new national security laws, ownership of the South China Sea,  cyber-attacks and theft,  and the[...]

Liberals pushing back against cancel culture in the US Some people call it cancel culture because it is based on mainly online activism aimed at 'cancelling' or withdrawing support from a celebrity or public figure. But in the last few years it has extended away from pop culture celebrities into academic institutions, writers festivals and[...]

UK update with Isabelle OakeshottBoris Johnson was elected in a landslide to get Brexit finalised. But his mishandling of the Coronavirus crisis has his approval ratings in free fall. Meanwhile, Britain’s exit from Europe has fallen off the front pages and Labour’s new leader is gaining ground.Also, will Putin be president for life?Vladimir Putin recently[...]

China — the unnamed adversary in Australia’s defence reviewLast week the Morrison government launched its Defence Strategy and Force Structure Review, promising $270 billion over the next decade to enhance Australia’s defence capabilities. But is the money too much, or not enough?  Is it going to all the right places? And will it do enough[...]

Vale Owen HarriesWelsh-born Owen Harries was one of Australia’s most significant foreign-policy thinkers. A conservative and realist, he battled the doves during the Vietnam era and the hawks during the war on terror.  From his editorial post at the National Interest magazine he played an influential role in US foreign policy circles, earning respect and[...]

Border tensions between China and IndiaThe Himalayan border region between China and India has been in dispute since 1962. This month, a violent clash between troops resulted in twenty Indian and an unknown number of Chinese deaths. Will the recent escalation push India away from China for good?  Also, the Gillard leadership coup ten years[...]

Preserving the pastGeoffrey Blainey — who coined the term ‘the tyranny of distance’- is one of Australia’s most prolific and well known historians.  He discusses Australia’s record on race relations and the removal of historic statues. Also, the geopolitics of Coronavirus conspiraciesWhat do state actors like China and Russia hope to gain from spreading disinformation on[...]

An anti-China alliance?The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China brings together politicians from liberal democracies including Canada, Norway, Germany and the US. Labor Senator Kimberly Kitching is the Australian Co-Chair. But as Australia heads into recession, and China increases it's restrictions on Australia trade, might this just make things worse? Also, do America’s mounting domestic woes spell[...]

"How did we get here?"

A Cold War with China will make a bad situation worse

Australia's balancing act: Constraining, not containing China

Who is going to come out on top in the post-COVID world order: China or the US?

Sweden's virus experiment: death sentence, or a way forward?

How do we revive the economy once the pandemic passes?Coronavirus has Australia headed for a deep recession, so what can we do now to plan our way out of it? Is the answer more government intervention and state planning? Or, is now the time to launch a new reform agenda that sharpens the incentives to[...]

Weighing up Turnbull’s legacyThis week, former Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull published his memoir A Bigger Picture.  In it he settles old scores with colleagues over his 2018 ousting, which he describes as an “act of madness.”What is his legacy, and how will history judge our nation’s twenty ninth Prime Minister?Jacqueline Maley, columnist at The Sydney[...]

What impact will Boris’ bout of COVID-19 have on his leadership and the nation’s fight against the virus?  His former boss, political columnist Charles Moore weighs in. Later in the program Moore discusses his best-selling three volume biography of Margaret Thatcher. Was the Iron Lady really an eco-warrior? Would she have supported Brexit?

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has told the army to shoot to kill anyone who violates strict COVID-19 lockdowns. Has he gone too far, or is this just more of the strong-man machismo that made him so popular? We talk to Sheila Coronel, Professor of Investigative Journalism at the Columbia Journalism School.Also, why don't Australian prime[...]

Hear from the chair of Infection Control at the National University Hospital in Singapore, who says home isolation is impossible to enforce, and everyone who tests positive for coronavirus should be isolated in hospitals or in designated hotels until they recover. Plus, veteran British historian Max Hastings discusses his new history of the World War[...]

Is the government pulling the right levers to mitigate the economic impact of Covid-19. How long can the Australian economy survive shut downs before we tip into irreparable damage? 

How the US and China have handled the coronavirus contagion and the secret history of Labor's election debacle.

Kishore Mahbubani says COVID-19 won’t put dent on China’s ascendency, and the US should work out a more thoughtful, long-term strategy for managing China’s rise.Kishore Mahbubani, Distinguished Fellow at the Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore, author of Has China Won? The Chinese Challenge to American Primacy

Has Malaysia’s Machiavelli made his last power play?Ninety four year old Doctor Mahathir Mohamad shocked the world when he resigned as Malaysia’s Prime Minister last month. It was seen by some as a Game of Thrones-style power play to out-manoeuvre rivals. Has it all back fired?Bridget Welsh Senior research associate at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.[...]

Uncle Sam: homeward bound?From Donald Trump to Bernie Sanders, a growing chorus of voices in the US is calling for a strategy of global retrenchment. But what will long-time allies like Australia do if Uncle Sam goes home?Thomas Wright, director of the Centre on the United States and Europe at the Brookings Institution and non-resident[...]

A Pacific compact to counter China’s rise.   

Indonesia and Australia: can good neighbours become good friends? Indonesia’s president gave a landmark address to Australia’s parliament this week, calling for an end to divisive identity politics and greater Australian action on climate change. What can Australia do to improve this very important relationship?  And, Andrew Stone: making Australia great againFormer Chief EconomistAndrew Stone[...]

Caucus chaos, Bloomberg’s cash splash and Trump’s acquittal: what does it mean for American foreign policy? A surreal week in US politics, with a huge debacle counting votes at the Iowa caucus to select a Democratic presidential candidate. But was the strongest candidate even on the ballot?  Also, Trump delivers an upbeat State of the[...]

Soleimani killing: Was Washington's targeted killing of Iranian major general Soleimani justified?  What’s the strategy behind it, and what kind of blow back will the US face?Danielle Pletka:  senior fellow in foreign and defence policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI)Amin Saikal:  Director of the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies, ANU. Author: Iran Rising: The Survival[...]

Has China lost Taiwan? We discuss the stunning election win of Tsai Ing-wen in Taiwan earlier this month. Has China lost Taiwan for good? Or does the election just make military action more likely?Hugh White, Emeritus Professor of Strategic Studies ANU.Nastasha Kassam, Research Fellow, Diplomacy and Public Opinion Program, Lowy Institute.The man who mapped the[...]

We know we were colonised by the British and built by the criminals they sent here.But how much do we really understand about the very beginning of European settlement in Australia?David Hill, former managing director of the ABC and author of Convict Colony

Australia enjoys the best of both worlds- free trade with China and a strong alliance with the US. How much longer can it last?US Secretary of State says Australia can either 'sell your soul for a pile of soybeans, or you can protect your people.'Could this kind of rhetoric widen the gap between two of[...]

Winston Churchill inspired his fellow Britons to resist the rise of the Nazis and led them to victory in World War Two. All this in the face of a complex childhood, a love for alcohol and a self-described long battle with the 'black dog' of depression. Andrew Roberts is the author of Churchill: Walking with[...]

Looking back at the shock election result, Gerard Henderson says it's no wonder the media got it so wrong. Despite the forecast by the academics, the polls and the pundits, there is no substitute for 'staying in touch' with the voting public.Will May 18 go down as the most dramatic failure of political prediction?Gerard Henderson,[...]

Is nationalism an excuse for world domination? If you have an arsenal of weapons like the US does, you need a more nuanced catch-phrase than 'America first' if you don't want to start a war. Brendon O'Connor, Associate Professor in American Politics, United States Studies Centre , University of Sydney, co-author of Ideologies of American Foreign[...]

The good, the bad and the ugly of politics in 2019.Expert commentators join Tom to discuss the shock election result, China, America and the world.Will the lessons of this year roll into 2020?Jennifer Hewett, columnist with the Australian Financial Review. Judith Sloan, columnist with The Australian.Stephen Loosely, senior fellow at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.

We know we were colonised by the British and built by the criminals they sent here.But how much do we really understand about the very beginning of European settlement in Australia?David Hill, former managing director of the ABC and author of Convict Colony

Whatever you think about the Communist regime, there is no market that will replace China for decades as far as Australia is concerned. So why are we so worried about China’s intentions?AlsoLike most countries, Australia has a growing population of homeless citizens. Are we looking in all the wrong places for answers?

Does Australia face a 'cold peace' with China?The recent refusal of entry to two Australian politicians certainly fans that fear. James Paterson, Liberal Senator from VictoriaAndrew Hastie, Liberal MP from WAAlso How the Liberals become the 'surprise party' of 2019.Aaron Patrick, Australian Financial Review’s senior correspondent and author of The Surprise party: how the coalition[...]

Why haven't we in Australia witnessed a populist explosion? Not One Nation nor Clive Palmer can compare with the nativism now seen across Europe and the US.There have been no Trump or Brexit moments for us.Are we due for one?Sam Roggeveen, author of Our very own Brexit: Australia's hollow politics and where it could lead[...]

Six months after losing the unlosable election, what now for the Australian Labor Party?Some believe that Bill Shorten took the right mix of policies to the May 18 election. Others say there should have been a shift towards the centre.One thing was clear. The voting public did not want either.Nick Dyrenfurth, executive director of the[...]

Islamic State mastermind Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is dead. Now what?After five years of his Sunni jihadist movement's caliphate across parts of Syria and Iraq, and widespread barbarism, video-recorded beheadings, mass executions and the enslavement and raping of women, what should we expect? Will the jihadists bounce back?Jessica Stern, research professor at Boston University’s Pardee School[...]

Joe Biden's advisor, Nicholas Burns, blames China for the 'theft of American intellectual property.' He says they have 'ripped off part of the natural wealth of the US' and that President Trump used this sentiment in his 2016 campaign. Burns was a recent guest of the Lowy Institute in Australia.He would like to see Australia[...]

Winston Churchill inspired his fellow Britons to resist the rise of the Nazis and led them to victory in World War Two. All this in the face of a complex childhood, a love for alcohol and a self-described long battle with the 'black dog' of depression. Andrew Roberts is the author of Churchill: Walking with[...]

What did this beauty queen do to be banned from entering China?It is the 70th anniversary of China's Communist Revolution but when it comes to human rights, how far has the regime come? Activist Anastasia Lin has learned that if you speak ill of the communist regime you quickly become a 'persona non gratis' in[...]

If Trump is impeached, can American politics regain the trust of the voting public? Either way, there is no guarantee that the Democrats will win the 2020 election. Pat Buchanan, author and former adviser to presidents Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan. Eleanor Clift, columnist with The Daily Beast and a contributor to MSNBC. Also, with[...]

The US wants Iran's 'exploratory violence' to be discussed at this week's UN General Assembly.Both American and Saudi officials blame Iran for an attack on oil facilities in Saudi Arabia.And despite Donald Trump's attempt to rally the support of other countries, he plays down chances of a military strike.Professor Amin Saikal, middle-east specialist at the[...]

The PM is invited to a rare state dinner at the Whitehouse. And although the relationship between Morrison and Trump is warm, could it be over before the main course arrives if they clash over China's increased assertiveness? Paul Dibb, emeritus professor of strategic studies at the Australian National University's College of Asia and the[...]

Boris Johnson has one job: to make Brexit happen. But three years after the vote to depart the EU, the British parliament sits stagnant. No divorce deal. No general election.And with the prime minister describing the October 31 deadline as 'do or die', is there a chance it won't happen at all?Simon Heffer, British commentator,[...]

The Islamic world has a blind spot when it comes to China's treatment of the Muslim community.Beijing's brutality of the ethnic Uighurs in the north-west province of Xinjiang continues to anger countries around the world. Should Australia step-up its opposition to Xi Jinping's regime and risk losing our most important trade relationship?Daniel Pipes, president of[...]

We are running out of energy so why not consider the nuclear option?Whether it is an act of war, the result of a natural disaster, a side-effect of testing or a total accident, nuclear energy and waste have resulted in too many catastrophes. Now it is being considered in parliament as an alternative solution to[...]

80 years after the genocide of 6 million Jews, anti-Semitism is alive and well in Australia and around the globe. For many, the legacy of the Holocaust is not enough to curb discriminating, victimising and in some cases, attacking Jewish people. Holocaust deniers say it didn't happen in the first place. Deborah Lipstadt says that[...]

Does symbolism like constitutional recognition and changing Australia Day, distract us from addressing the disadvantage of being an indigenous Australian? Jacinta Price says it does. Her upcoming nationwide tour is called Minding the gap: bridging the indigenous divideJacinta Price, Warlpiri-Celtic woman, director of indigenous research at the Centre for Independent Studies.AlsoThree years on from the[...]

Australia enjoys the best of both worlds- free trade with China and a strong alliance with the US. How much longer can it last?US Secretary of State says Australia can either 'sell your soul for a pile of soybeans, or you can protect your people.'Could this kind of rhetoric widen the gap between two of[...]

Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un continue to make strange bedfellows despite ongoing disagreement about nuclear weaponry.Can the relationship between the mogul US President and the enigmatic leader of North Korea promise anything other than a good photo opportunity? Anna Fifield, Asia correspondent for the Washington Post and author of The Great Successor: the secret[...]

Who is Britain’s new prime minister Boris Johnson? Is he competent and serious enough to be PM? Or is he just a gaffe-prone joker, who flies by the seat of pants? And is he likely to deliver Brexit?

Is nationalism an excuse for world domination? If you have an arsenal of weapons like the US does, you need a more nuanced catch-phrase than 'America first' if you don't want to start a war. Brendon O'Connor, Associate Professor in American Politics, United States Studies Centre , University of Sydney, co-author of Ideologies of American Foreign[...]

Iran is working towards weapons-grade uranium power. Sanctions are not working to prevent them. Nor is global condemnation. Will warnings from the US contain the country's resolve or will Donald Trump lead a military crack-down on the rogue state? Clifford May, founder and president of the Foundation for Defence of Democracies.Amin Saikal, Director of the[...]

The disparity between rich and poor is rapidly growing. Could socialism be the answer to narrow the gap?The claim is that many do not understand the history of the political movement. But without other options on the table shouldn't we start to look forward towards a new socialism, rather than back on the mistakes of[...]

Israel Folau is no longer in the news for his talent as a rugby player. He is now the lightning rod for debate about freedom of speech, religious expression, discrimination and homophobia. Is he responsible for any of this or is he just a bit player in a large-scale community dilemma?And Animal Justice Party's Emma[...]

Commentators say that by withdrawing the US from international agreements, Trump has left a void in world leadership. But is he really to blame for the unravelling of the liberal international order? John Mearsheimer says that this is simply not true. Also, Malcolm Turnbull is said to have been responsible for the swing against the[...]

Gerard Henderson says despite the forecast by the academics, the polls and the pundits, there is no substitute for 'staying in touch' with the voting public. Also, 70 years after the establishment of NATO the threat that justified its creation has long gone. With the benefit of hindsight, wasn't the increased numbers of member states[...]

Despite the Chinese warships entering Sydney Harbour this week, Australia's relationship with China is still mostly influenced by the US.

As the shock of the federal election begins to wear off we are hearing more and more about the so-called 'quiet Australians' and If Theresa May can't implement Brexit, who can? As the Conservatives scramble to replace their leader, the Brexit party is gaining momentum.

How did we miss the signs that Scott Morrison would win the election? Also, whatever your opinions, Donald Trump and Ronald Reagan appeal to the public.

Australia needs a Shorten government so we can experience 'buyer's regret'. So says conservative Janet Albrechtsen while on the other side of the Indian Ocean, despite the work of Nelson Mandela, many South Africans choose not to vote.

Are our major political parties offering a choice or an echo? Also, Australian honeybees are hot property overseas but for how long? As the only country to avoid the deadly varroa mite, others turn to Australia to share ideas on how to improve the health of bees globally.

Forty years after the 'Iron Lady' was elected into office, Britain looks like it may be lurching to the left. While in the US, the country has long-believed that democracy is exportable, all it requires is intervention. Ted Galen Carpenter disagrees. He says that many of the countries who benefit from American support are 'anything[...]