The 47th G7 summit marked an important opportunity for Australia to contribute to solutions to pressing global issues and improve its diplomatic position among the world’s leading democracies. However, while there were some positives that emerged from the summit meeting, Australia appeared isolated on the key issue of climate policy, among others. … Continue readingAustralia at the G7 Summit
Since the Troubles ended in 1998, Northern Ireland has been searching for a way to allow its two communities, with often diametrically opposed identities, interests and aspirations, to live together peacefully. Intriguingly, these communities — loyalists/unionists and republicans/nationalists — are political (and somewhat religious), rather than racial, religious, or economic. Mostly Protestant loyalists identify as British and wish for Northern Ireland to remain in the United Kingdom (UK), while mostly Catholic republicans identify as Irish and wish for it to leave the UK and reunite with the Republic of Ireland. This division was and continues to be the catalyst of Ireland’s violent past and uncertain future. … Continue readingNORTHERN IRELAND’S UNCERTAIN FUTURE: LOYALISM, REPUBLICANISM AND PEACE
Last Saturday evening, Prime Minister Boris Johnson wrote to Nicola Sturgeon with congratulations on her anticipated re-appointment as Scottish First Minister. He also asked Sturgeon to meet with him in an effort to resolve COVID-19-related issues throughout the United Kingdom (UK). Johnson’s letter highlights fear at Westminster for an impending constitutional crisis over the Scottish Parliament’s power to hold another independence referendum, with recent polls suggesting a close result. … Continue readingSTATE OF THE UNION | UNITED KINGDOM SET FOR CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS
He is someone who does not take easily to compliments, but he has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, … Continue readingVALE HRH PRINCE PHILIP, DUKE OF EDINBURGH | A LIFE OF DUTY & SERVICE
In 2015, the European migrant crisis reached its peak, with 1,015,078 individuals seeking refuge across the continent. Since then, the European Commission declared the migration crisis to be over in 2019, as the rest of the world largely forgot about the humanitarian crisis lingering on Europe’s foreshores. However, the fire that ripped through the largest refugee camp, Moria on the Greek island of Lesbos on 8 September 2020, has gained global attention and reminded the world of the humanitarian disaster that remains. … Continue readingTHE HIDDEN REFUGEE CAMPS OF EUROPE
WILL THE BELARUS PROTESTS TOPPLE LUKASHENKO BY LUDWIG COOK On 9 August 2020, Alexander Lukashenko was elected to his sixth term as President of Belarus. The official results credited him with 80% of the vote. The main opposing candidate, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, immediately contested the result … Continue readingEUROPE’S LAST DICTATOR
INTERVIEW WITH DR MICHAEL PULCH, AMBASSADOR OF THE EUROPEAN UNION TO AUSTRALIA “Diplomacy is a key part of finding a solution” Dr Michael Pulch- Ambassador of the European Union to Australia (April 6th 2020 interviewed by Ryan Attard) Although COVID-19 may have momentarily captured our … Continue readingWHY SHOULD WE PURSUE A TRADE DEAL WITH THE EU
Britain’s Looming Crisis A quiet ultimatum creeps into British politics as the question of an independent Scotland remains unanswered. The very idea of a nation breaking away from the United Kingdom poses an existential threat to Britain’s national identity, more so than Brexit did. Arguably, … Continue readingWHERE ARE WE WITH SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE?
EDITORIAL – As another day passes, it seems more likely that Donald Trump will be impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives. The current scandal regarding the President’s involvement in asking the Ukrainian Government to assist in digging up dirt on his political opponent Joe … Continue readingIMPEACHMENT AHEAD: TRUMP’S UKRAINE MOMENT
BEAU DONATELLA – I am sick and tired of hearing people whinging about Brexit. “Oh we shouldn’t have voted out” and “I wish I could change my vote”. Well the vote happened three years ago and if you had problems with the system you should … Continue readingS*** IS ACTUALLY ABOUT TO HIT THE FAN