This Month
- Opinion
- East Asia Forum
‘Nothing to see here’ as Singapore gets new PM
Lawrence Wong is considered a safe pair of hands. But Singapore is facing many challenges that need radical new ideas rather than technocratic continuity.
- Michael Barr
The world’s wiliest climate warrior? It’s not who you think
International Energy Agency boss Fatih Birol, a lifelong bureaucrat with roots in the oil industry, has made the net zero transition a personal mission.
- Hans van Leeuwen
April
Failure to reopen Australia embassy in Kyiv ‘an embarrassment’
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles visited Ukraine to unveil the package, including drones and air-defence systems, but there was one glaring omission from his trip.
- Hans van Leeuwen and Ronald Mizen
‘No silver bullet’: Ukraine has weapons but still needs the troops
The $94 billion US aid package should stop Russia in its tracks, but it won’t be nearly enough to send Putin packing.
- Updated
- Hans van Leeuwen
Risk of wider conflict as Israel weighs its response to Iran
Facing pressure from all sides, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly looking for non-lethal options to retaliate against Tehran’s weekend missile fusillade.
- Updated
- Hans van Leeuwen
Yellen calls China meetings ‘productive’, seeks level playing field
Janet Yellen said she had “productive conversations” with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng on the bilateral economic relationship after two days of meetings in China.
- Updated
- David Lawder
Australia locks in $1b defence deal with Germany
The manufacturing deal will create at least 600 jobs in Queensland but was thrown into doubt last year after Labor snubbed the company involved for its own defence contract.
- Updated
- Hannah Wootton
March
- Analysis
- Opinion
With Russia distracted, China makes its move in Central Asia
China is the only major country to recognise the Taliban government in Afghanistan, a move that could give it access to large lithium and copper deposits.
- Geoff Raby
Australia, Malaysia seek to defuse tensions on Israel-Hamas
The two countries agree there should be an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the release of all remaining Israeli hostages being held in Gaza.
- Phillip Coorey
February
- Opinion
- Keating at 80
Paul Keating’s critics could not be more wrong on AUKUS
It’s the former PM who understands that the world has changed, and we can no longer take American power for granted to keep Asia stable and Australia safe.
- Hugh White
Wider Ukraine war ‘inevitable’ if NATO sends troops, Kremlin warns
Moscow’s warning comes after France’s Emmanuel Macron opened the door to sending Western forces to the war. But Germany’s leaders poured cold water on the idea.
- Hans van Leeuwen
Australia’s fund managers use new tactics to support Ukraine
The public are still supportive, but as the war enters a third year, new tactics are needed to ward off the risk of donor fatigue or political distraction.
- Updated
- Hans van Leeuwen
- Opinion
- Opinion
What’s Plan B if America never goes back to normal?
Paul Keating has once again asked whether the US alliance shapes Australia’s view of the world more than it should.
- Bec Strating
In Ukraine, ruthless Putin smells weakness
Two years into the war and fending off Russia is getting much harder for an army with an average age in the 40s. It needs help.
- Hans van Leeuwen
Indonesia bids to join club of rich liberal countries
Fresh from its election, Indonesia has formally applied to join the 38-country OECD. It’s a boost for the liberal West, but might mean tough domestic reforms.
- Hans van Leeuwen
Hawkish EU boss von der Leyen bids for second term at the top
In a crisis-ridden first term, the diplomatically deft Ursula von der Leyen became the answer to the question, ‘who do I call when I want to speak to Europe?’.
- Hans van Leeuwen
- Analysis
- AFR Weekend
How to be Trump-proof: Europe’s big test
The presidential front-runner’s threat to leave Europe at Russia’s mercy sent shockwaves across the Atlantic. But some see a chance to rewire the world order.
- Hans van Leeuwen
Through gritted teeth, Zelensky fires his ‘iron’ general
Did Zelensky dump his military chief for political or strategic reasons? The answer may determine whether Ukraine can hold back an ascendant Russia this year.
- Hans van Leeuwen
January
Baltic States prime their defences for Russian attack
With a Trump presidency looming, vulnerable countries on Russia’s border are scrambling to prepare for the prospect that an emboldened Putin will widen his war.
- Hans van Leeuwen
- Analysis
- Global economy
The Davos the rest of the world won’t see
The chief purpose of everyone at the Alpine ski town is to get several weeks’ worth of high-level business meetings and networking done in three to five days.
- Hans van Leeuwen