Yesterday
- Analysis
- Syrian conflict
Middle East braces for fresh chaos after Assad’s fall
Euphoria has swept the streets of Damascus after Bashar al-Assad’s brutal reign suddenly ended. But what comes next?
This Month
- Opinion
- Political unrest
A crazy six hours in Seoul and the fragility of democracy
A presidential brain snap in South Korea has revived dark memories of the country’s past, with potentially damaging geopolitical ripples across north-east Asia.
November
- Opinion
- Trump diplomacy
Trump’s foreign policy hand is stronger than you might think
Fears of American isolationism ignore that the president-elect’s international relations capabilities might be better than many think once he takes office.
- Analysis
- Trump's White House
The big split on China at the heart of Trump’s new team
Donald Trump and JD Vance have assembled a team of strident China hawks, hellbent on countering the rise of Beijing, but is it all for show?
- Opinion
- Foreign relations
Did you miss the Indonesian president’s November surprise?
While Australians were absorbed by the US election, the new leader of their large neighbour was busy strengthening ties with Russia and China.
- Opinion
- US election
Trump 2.0 is the reckoning for Australia’s alliance with the US
For years Australia has looked the other way when talk of the end of US primacy has been raised. Now we can’t avert our eyes.
- Analysis
- US Votes 2024
What Trump has in store for six global hotspots
Capitals around the world are dusting off the old briefing books from Donald Trump’s first term, but this time could be a mix of the old and the totally unexpected.
- Updated
- Analysis
- US Votes 2024
How Albanese can deal with Trump
The prime minister won’t need to ingratiate himself with the US president as other leaders have done – and he has some advantages.
- Analysis
- Australian rugby
How the Wallabies’ 1984 grand slam tour changed rugby forever
The tour not only marked Australian rugby’s coming of age, it influenced the decision of the code to turn professional just over a decade later.
- Analysis
- US Votes 2024
Trump set to trigger global shockwaves – again
Donald Trump appears on his way back to Washington after Democrats failed to connect to the basic human need for recognition.
- Analysis
- US Votes 2024
‘Don’t hit the panic button on Rudd’ if Trump wins
Recalling Kevin Rudd from Washington because of his past criticism of Donald Trump would be rash, said Dennis Richardson, Australia’s former ambassador to the US.
- Opinion
- US election
America’s search for a new role continues
Despite the mediocrity of the candidates, America is not down for the count. But it is wasting precious time to redefine its world role
- Exclusive
- Lunch with the AFR
Robert Kaplan reveals how to think strategically if Trump is elected
The celebrated author and strategic thinker says the US fall will only accelerate under Donald Trump, but “wise leaders” can still keep relative global peace.
October
- Analysis
- Defence
The map that Canberra doesn’t want you to see
Australia’s military integration with the US proceeds apace, but is the Albanese government coming clean on the risks?
- Opinion
- US election
America’s new Asian alliance network will survive beyond Trump
No matter who is in the White House after November 5, the US’ carefully structured latticework of alliances that underpins its regional primacy will continue.
- Opinion
- Royal family
Australia clings to British embrace with King Charles’ royal visit
A particular type of rhetorical syrup that “oozes over cracks” in the Australia-Britain relationship will be on full display.
Japan’s China paradox has lessons for Australia
Japan’s new prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, wants a more equal relationship with the US. That could spell trouble as Tokyo confronts the “deep threat” from China.
- Opinion
- Political leadership
Anthony Albanese has yet to grow into the prime minister’s job
The prime minister is a political operator rather than a visionary. His inability to persuade and sustain arguments is beginning to show.
- Analysis
- Middle East tensions
Beware the unintended consequences of Middle East escalation
As tensions between Washington and Tel Aviv flare again, the broader geopolitical consequences of the crisis remain difficult to discern.
- Analysis
- Asia-Pacific
Japan’s ‘Asian NATO’ shot down by allies
The plan, first floated by new Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba, would involve more formal military and strategic cooperation between north and South-East Asian countries.
