US efforts to strengthen collective defence in Europe won’t come free for Asia

Written by Tom Corben

What will frustrate many in Asia is that the urgency evident in these new US commitments to collective defence in Europe is yet to be mirrored in parallel efforts in the Indo-Pacific.

Xi’s Global Security Initiative in the time of Putin’s war

Written by Eva Seiwert

Considering that Western states will not be able to prevent other countries from supporting the Global Security Initiative, they should at least use this new Chinese proposal as a wake-up call.

Thailand breaks away from Southeast Asia’s brutally punitive drug policies

Written by Gloria Lai

In a region still marked by extremely cruel and inhumane responses to people engaged in drug-related activities, the reforms to Thailand’s criminal justice, health and economic systems resulting from the series of drug law changes represent a welcome change.

Counter-polarisation and political expediency in Indonesia

Written by Greg Fealy, Sally White, and Burhanuddin Muhtadi

If we place the 2021 survey results beside data from other credible surveys over the past decade, it is possible to conclude that the high point of polarisation occurred during and between the 2014 and 2019 elections, but has since declined.

Architect of the Indo-Pacific: How will Abe's legacy continue?

Written by Perle Petit

Time will tell which aspects of Shinzo Abe’s legacy will live on most faithfully and whether the role of Japan as a buffer between competing global forces in the region will continue.

NATO and the ‘Asia-Pacific Four’: Renewed purpose for cooperation

Written by Alexandra Sakaki

NATO has not only increased its attention to Asian security dynamics and challenges over the past years, but it has also sought to strengthen relations with the AP4 countries.

NATO’s changing strategy to counter the Sino-Russian pole

Written by Barbara Kelemen and Matej Šimalčík

Why has NATO doubled down on its attention towards China, despite the re-emerging threat from Russia following the war in Ukraine? Recent developments might have led the NATO allies to abandon or, at least, rein in their rising focus on the Indo-Pacific — a development which would clearly be in China’s interest.

The upper house elections and Japanese defence spending

Written by Felix Kuhn

Over the coming months in Japan, discussions over the level of defence spending, what the money will be spent on, and where it will come from, will become more heated. The Japanese government will have to provide clearer answers and allow for some compromises to retain broad support among policymakers and keep the majority of the public on board.

The impact of Russia’s war in Ukraine on India’s food insecurity

Written by Akanksha Narain

At a time like this, India’s back and forth on its wheat export diplomacy has a magnified impact on global food security as well as its own international standing.

South Korea eyes Europe for its future

Written by Eunwoo Lee

South Korea, whose external engagement has so far revolved around the intractable security stances of the US and China, can surely hedge its security interests by embracing Europe.

Announcing webinar: Feminist Foreign Policy

In conjunction with our partners La Trobe Asia and the Kubernein Initiative, we are delighted to announce an upcoming webinar focused on the growing recognition of the value of a Feminist Foreign Policy.

Register now to join us on Wednesday 13 July at your local time.

Hong Kong’s colony status and right to self-determination: why this is problematic for Beijing

Written by Ho-fung Hung

The more Beijing does to impose a rewriting of history to deny that Hong Kong was ever a colony, the more the international community will become aware of the fact that Hong Kong has never exercised its right to self-determination, as warranted by its past colony status during decolonisation.

North Korea’s recent missile tests illustrate its nuclear tactics

Written by Elisabeth I-Mi Suh

North Korea is advancing its nuclear weapons and missile programs. Despite economic hardships and pandemic provisions the regime in Pyongyang has made significant strides in developing a range of different missile systems.

Papua New Guinea in 2022: Key issues and future challenges

Written by Teddy Winn

The challenge for the incoming government will be to continue upholding PNG’s foreign policy practice of ‘friends to all, enemies to none’ while not destabilising existing bilateral arrangements the country has with its regional partners, including its closest and long-time partner, Australia.

Sri Lanka’s economic crisis: A new regime, politics at play?

Written by Neha Gupta and Guido Cozzi

It is often observed that the dismal performance of a country on socio-economic-political indicators is indicative of the value extracting role of elites in that country and vice versa for the value contributing elites.

In Brief: Charlie Weimers MEP

We can no longer depend on a single autocratic regime for our resources, be it Russia or China. European companies are, however, much more invested in China than they are in Russia; hence, it may be more difficult to divest from China.

Italy pushes back against China’s technology transfer

Written by Francesca Ghiretti and Rebecca Arcesati

Mario Draghi’s new unit to screen FDI in strategic sectors should be concerned with more than inbound investments. Particularly, the new division should consider turning its attention towards research and innovation (R&I) exchanges.

Tale of two summits: Why Jacinda Ardern said no to the Commonwealth, but yes to NATO

Written by Geoffrey Miller

And given the focus on Western unity and solidarity in recent months, there’s every chance Jacinda Ardern would travel together with Anthony Albanese on any European side-trip to Ukraine — on a joint ANZAC solidarity mission.