The classmates of 7-year-old Rayan Suleiman sit near his body during the boy’s funeral in Tuqu, a village south of the West Bank city of Bethlehem. (more…)
Tag: International relations
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Four dud PMs – geo-strategically barren, unable to identify Australia’s interests
The risks for Australia in joining another “failed” American war, this one contrived to crush China, are worse than even-money, and climbing. The consequences verge on existential. (more…)
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Scholars laud Xinjiang moves
Islamic experts praise region’s success in anti-terror, ethnic group harmony. (more…)
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America’s strategy of failure comes to Ukraine
US mission creep in Ukraine follows in the fatal footsteps of ultimately failed war campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq. (more…)
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How Hong Kong leader’s Middle East tour could herald seismic shift in China-Saudi Arabia relationship
As geopolitical winds tilt China and Saudi Arabia towards greater interdependence, Hong Kong could play a critical role in unlocking both countries’ strategic objectives.
John Lee must position Hong Kong to deliver unique value in the emerging petro-yuan market in a way that complements Riyadh’s development as a trading centre for renminbi securities. (more…)
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Sinking notions: US lawmakers and Australia’s nuclear submarines
The implications for the AUKUS security pact were always going to be grave, significant, and unnecessary. It further subordinated Australia to participating in future conflicts; it has brought into question Australia’s own already whittled down sovereignty; and it has also raised the spectre of regional nuclear proliferation. (more…)
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By the numbers: The de-dollarisation of global trade
Data suggests that US dollar reserves in central banks are dwindling, as is the influence of the US on the world economy. This presents a unique opportunity for regional currencies and alternative payment systems to enter the vacuum. (more…)
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When ambassadorial style overshadows the diplomatic substance
Japan’s Ambassador to Australia, HE Shingo Yamagami, enjoys his media profile. He appears frequently on Sky News, advises Australia publicly on how it should manage its official relations with China, and describes himself as a former spymaster.
Maybe the Ambassador aspires to be a legend in his own lunchtime. (more…)
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What ails Britain? Don’t mention Brexit
I’ve been asked to come out of blogging retirement, temporarily, to explain why Brexit has been at the root of Britain’s most serious problems since Brexit was decided in 2016 and which a growing body of commentators rate as a colossal mistake. Contrary to Boris Johnson’s repeated assertions, Brexit has not yet been done and can never be. (more…)
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Israel’s ‘most right wing government’: Who are they?
What do we know about the new Israeli government apart from the now much touted ‘the most right wing government in Israel history’? And what does this new government mean for Israel, Palestine and the so called ‘two state solution’? (more…)
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Israel helps Ukraine whitewash its Nazis
Representatives of Ukraine’s neo-Nazi Azov Battalion have been touring Israel to drum up support for the unit’s imprisoned fighters. They have been meeting with Israeli politicians and soldiers. (more…)
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Follow the money: ASPI is a front for US propaganda
What is the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), what are its sources of funding, and why does it so consistently advocate for positions favourable to the United States and the weapons industry? Follow the money trail. (more…)
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Australia’s ‘optimal pathway’ on AUKUS
Just in time, the fundamental faults of AUKUS are being exposed in Canberra and Washington. (more…)
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US-Australia ‘Force Posture Agreement’ undermines sovereignty, must be terminated
The US-Australia Force Posture Agreement has opened the gate for the US to set up Australia as a launching pad for its next war against China. The Albanese government must invoke Article XXI to terminate it and reclaim sovereignty. (more…)
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AUKUS: a collection of views not found in our Washington dominated media
AUKUS: signed and sealed by the Liberal government when it joined the pact in September 2021, the spoils of which have been delivered by the Labor Government in March 2023. The Labor Government and Australia will pay a heavy price for what is being done in our name. We are being humiliated by our own government. (more…)
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John Lander: Labor’s Herculean task on China-Australia relations
In an interview, John Lander outlines the “Herculean” task ahead to repair the China-Australia relationship. The odds are heavily stacked against Albanese and Wong, who will need both political courage and diplomatic skill to bring it off. But for Australia’s sake, bring it off they must. Watch it here. (more…)
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Best of 2022: China has neither the intent nor the capability to attack us
We are being led in our anti-China hysteria by the United States which is not concerned that China will attack us, or even the United States, but is concerned that its world hegemony is being challenged. (more…)
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Best of 2022: Pivotal Moment: Albanese and Xi in 2022 mirror Whitlam and Zhou in 1971
The meeting between Anthony Albanese and Xi Jinping put me in mind of the public reaction in Australia when Whitlam met Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai in 1971. (more…)
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Best of 2022: Australia’s China threat industry led by Sydney Morning Herald takes a hit
Above a picture of a tired looking Xi Jinping – taken at the G20 – the Sydney Morning Herald ran the headline: The Face of Capitulation. It was as banal as it was predictable. It was for a Peter Hartcher story that crowed at having slayed the dragon (sub-text: this was Hartcher’s personal victory). (more…)
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World gives cold shoulder to people from Gaza
The Netherlands appears to discriminate against Palestinians based on where they live. (more…)
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Best of 2022: The great game in Ukraine is spinning out of control
Former US National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski famously described Ukraine as a “geopolitical pivot” of Eurasia, central to both US and Russian power. Since Russia views its vital security interests to be at stake in the current conflict, the war in Ukraine is rapidly escalating to a nuclear showdown. It’s urgent for both the US and Russia to exercise restraint before disaster hits. (more…)
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The predictable resurgence of fascism and nazism on both sides of the North Atlantic and its consequences
The Origins of Fascism and Nazism: the Great Depression
Fascism and Nazism were the products of the Great Depression. The deteriorating economic situation had disastrous effects on the quality of life and well-being of the popular classes and undermined the credibility and legitimacy of democratic systems and governments in the United States and Europe. Fascism in southern Europe and the United States, and Nazism in central and northern Europe and also in the U.S., capitalised on the resulting discontent. These movements acquired significant influence on both sides of the North Atlantic, ultimately governing several countries of Western Europe. (more…)
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Canberra and Beijing – The last fifty years of mutual benefits
The fiftieth anniversary, this year, of Canberra’s recognition of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in Beijing as the sole legitimate government of China, has triggered many reflections. (more…)
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Penny Wong’s China visit should become a trip for Australia to find its original aspiration: Global Times editorial
At the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong will visit China on Tuesday and Wednesday. (more…)
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“No relationship more important” than China for Australia
Xi Jinping is the only foreign head of state who has visited all Australian states and mainland territories, very warmly welcomed. Let’s not accept the blarney that he’s changed. He’s had to fight a lot and has a bad press in the west, engineered. As Bob Hawke once said: “There is no relationship Australia has that is more important than our relationship with China.” (more…)
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Half a century: Australia, China and the United Nations
On December 21 it will be fifty years since Australia established diplomatic relations with China. The anniversary has already been marked by several events across the country. It is also prompting some reflections in the media. Many draw comparisons between 1972 and 2022, noting that in both years there were significant shifts in Australian foreign policy. (more…)
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Expect epiphanies on Australian defence policy this March
In 2023, announcements from Canberra on foreign affairs, defence, and trade will come thick and fast. They can be expected to be regressive, in contrast to the Albanese government’s positive domestic agenda. (more…)
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A difficult relationship is not in the interests of our two countries
The recent bilateral meeting between President Xi and Prime Minister Albanese on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Bali has charted the course for the future development of the China-Australia relationship. (more…)
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Bomber’s revolving doorway
There is a never-ending conga line of politicians, intelligence, military and defence officials quick-stepping through revolving doorways onto the boards of lucrative military weapons companies. (more…)
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It’s a season to be a warmonger
It’s the season to be jolly and appreciate wrapped presents with surprises that are not true surprises. And the Christmas present most appreciated for a good number of the thinktank military establishment in Canberra will be conflict with Beijing. If not now, then when? (more…)