WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!" Each of Australia's foreign policy orthodoxies presumes an engaged America. Trump just named us in the list of countries he doesn't need. New from me for The Interpreter. www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
Ha! I did see the equivalent poll for this year and never got around to voting.
Despite recent wins, I argue @lowyinstitute.bsky.social Labor's Southeast Asia strategy risks imbalance if #Australia's economic footprint can't keep pace with its security/defence partnerships. Thank you @danielflitton.bsky.social for the opportunity to share! www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
I've contributed to a new book, The First Albanese Government: Governing in an Age of Disruption and Division, 2022-2025 - grateful to the editors for the chance to step back from the daily commentary cycle. newsouthbooks.com.au/books/the-fi...
✍️ Random writing tip - if you can tweet it, you can make a short column of it. And then tweet that.
🔗 www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
Indeed, that was indeed a moment of national consciousness about the relationship.
And perhaps the secrecy of the 1995 deal explains why yesterday was an announcement of “substantive” agreements rather than presenting the treaty in full? That, or they missed a deadline again? 🤷♂️
Penny Wong said on ABC radio this morning the 1995 AMS “has been regarded as the high watermark of our relations with Indonesia”. Don’t want to get too caught up in words, but remember this was a secret negotiation with an authoritarian government. It was fragile for this reason.
Labor pledged to prioritise diplomats over politicians for ambassadorial jobs. Then appointed ex pollies to London - twice.
The UK High Comm role has never been held by a woman. Nor has Australia’s US ambassador.
Some traditions remain unbroken. From me.
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
Big climate debates in Brazil. Will there be a result that matters? Or is this more talk?
What of Australia's hopes to host the great global jamboree next year, COP31?
I've drawn together a thread of recent Interpreter articles. www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
I aspire to write a headline as worthy. (Also, a really interesting read.) www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
Strong warning from @senatorwong.bsky.social about the risk of a hollowed out United Nations, writing for @lowyinstitute.bsky.social Interpreter. www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
This was a terrific reflection on the episode published a few years back. www.theage.com.au/entertainmen...
Add to this list the theft of Weeping Woman from NGV in Melbourne by "The Australian Cultural Terrorists" - culprits never found, although the painting was. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/20/u...
A friendly reminder that you can get a snazzy new Interpreter Weekly Digest from @LowyInstitute straight to your inbox. Just sign up at the bottom of the homepage.
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The problem in defence isn't as much politics as a lack of transparency. And that won't be solved by another parliamentary committee holding secret hearings. A piece from me responding to plans to re-jig oversight for defence matters. www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
Anthony Albanese gives his first UN speech on Friday week. Will he break from Australia's predictable diplomatic script?
My analysis of recent national statements suggests probably not.👉 www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
We've given the Interpreter Weekly Email Digest a make-over, and it looks schmick. If you're not signed up, you should - 🔗https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter
Daniel Andrews shaking hands with Xi Jinping at China's military parade might be more about thumbing his nose at political enemies back home than grand strategy. My latest for @LowyInstitute on former politicians playing "private statesman". www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
"... can refine AUKUS and make it fit for today’s purpose." Refine, after only five years? Could be read as an admission the initial conception was hasty? Or maybe it's ever so, there is ambition then details follow?
Also some notable language. "... can resoundingly deliver on the alliance’s potential." That A-word, given there has been a talking point that AUKUS is not technically an alliance.
A Minister of AUKUS? Or ambassador at least? Interesting debating point in this Marise Payne, Jim Mattis et al essay. First reaction is how would it resolve challenges in authority lines with rest of Defence - already complaints AUKUS is an extra service. www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
It’s not all about Trump and tariffs. India and China had taken steps toward rapprochement from at least October last year when Modi met Xi. And despite the evident fractures in US-India ties now, there is still cooperation.
We were taken into the mountains of Shennongjia in central #China to meet the golden snubbed nosed monkeys which have - for the moment - been saved from extinction... CLICK ON LINK TOO SEE.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
As journalists, we love adjectives that grab attention. But do words like "strategic" and "vital" help or hinder understanding? I've had a look at how recent media language around the Quad can overstate what this forum has actually achieved. www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
"As the diplomatic whirlwind dies down, the likelihood of a meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy seems to be further diminishing." www.bbc.com/news/article...
From "my friend Donald Trump" to questioning "the end of a beautiful friendship" – how did India-US relations deteriorate so dramatically in just 9 months? My latest tracks a month-by-month unravelling through the headlines that tell the story. www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
“‘In Trump-Modi standoff, ‘egos’ and missteps fuel resentment’ – Washington Post,” writes Daniel Flitton in The Interpreter.
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/how-indi...
