Category: North America

Empire Strikes Back: Imperialism as the Final Frontier of the United States

The United States has long been losing global power to China, as Beijing challenges Western dominance by leveraging strategic pressure points such as Venezuela, Greenland, and Iran. Imperialism becomes the final frontier of a falling hegemon, a move arising out of diplomatic insecurity, not power. As such, it can be concluded that such interventions globally sends a single message across nations, about the uncertain fate of the global order. … Continue readingEmpire Strikes Back: Imperialism as the Final Frontier of the United States

Mark Carney, a Non-Aligned Movement and The Middle Power Conundrum – Is There a Third Way?

In a speech that may be considered one of the great speeches of history, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated a need to stop operating under the pretence that the international order is working ‘as intended’ and that alignment with the great powers protects member states of the world. What is perhaps most notable about Carney’s statement however is not its unique challenge to the world order, but its replication and parallels to a challenge issued more than 60 years ago.
… Continue readingMark Carney, a Non-Aligned Movement and The Middle Power Conundrum – Is There a Third Way?

The Neo-Monroe Doctrine: Post-Maduro Venezuela and a New Age of American Interventionism

Reports of low-flying aircraft and explosions over Caracas, Venezuela, hit Australian media in the early evening, and quickly, it was all over. For many international commentators, leaders, and political figures, this intervention in Venezuela was not just shocking, but unprecedented. However, such American interventionism in Latin America has a history that precedes Trump, and is representative of a renewed age of superpower intervention in geopolitics. The real question is, what comes next? … Continue readingThe Neo-Monroe Doctrine: Post-Maduro Venezuela and a New Age of American Interventionism

Australia-Canada: the alliance growing in importance

The uncanny similarities between the two recent Australian and Canadian elections are not a mere coincidence. They are reflective of the political convergence between Australia and Canada in a world that is becoming increasingly uncertain under the second Donald Trump presidency. Indeed, the two countries share historical, political and cultural ties that date back over a century. Both countries have fought wars together, are members of the British Commonwealth, have diverse multicultural populations and, at least until recently, been staunch allies of the United States. … Continue readingAustralia-Canada: the alliance growing in importance

The Kennedy legacy: A Gen Z twist, family divisions, and an all-American love story

Kennedy served as a symbol of patriotism and political hope until his untimely death. Currently, his retrospective approval rate sits at a whopping 90 per cent. Despite only serving just over 1,000 days as President, Kennedy left a monumental legacy which would follow his family for generations. It was ultimately his assassination that crowned him as “the martyred prince of American politics”. … Continue readingThe Kennedy legacy: A Gen Z twist, family divisions, and an all-American love story

History v geography: understanding Australia’s approach to national defence

Defensive has become offensive. Yet Australian defence policy remains entrenched in stagnant, myopic directives that do not consider long term challenges, as we are experiencing today. It can be said that we are witnessing a polycrisis unfold: multiple global catastrophes playing out with such force that strategic shocks are now the new norm, leaving policymakers to answer the difficult question of how best to respond. This question renews calls for a better directed national defence stratagem, if it is to withstand our current predicament. While our historical partnerships with countries like the US remain important, we must acknowledge our place in the world, and make the most of our regional potential. … Continue readingHistory v geography: understanding Australia’s approach to national defence

The Restarting of History and the Decline of the Liberal Democratic Order

In 1989, American political scientist and philosopher Francis Fukuyama wrote a now famous essay titled, ‘The End of History.’

36 years on from that monumental declaration, we find ourselves facing a world in which liberalism, the dominant global ideology, faces fatigue. The dream of a world of western democracy seems increasingly challenged and the history of global development seems far from settled. … Continue readingThe Restarting of History and the Decline of the Liberal Democratic Order

Nationalism, Femicide, and New Masculinities: the far-right’s weaponisation of violence against women

Gendered violence is on the rise; it’s been declared an epidemic in several countries, including Australia, with the past few years having proved particularly dangerous for women. For hardline conservatives, there are a host of people to blame; recently, immigrants have been a favourite. The scapegoating of vulnerable communities by this section of the political spectrum has proven not just ineffective at combating male violence against women, but points towards a worrying trend of the dehumanisation of one group in the name of protection for another. … Continue readingNationalism, Femicide, and New Masculinities: the far-right’s weaponisation of violence against women

Pillars of Strength: Breaking down the AUKUS Agreement

Donald Trump’s response of  “What does that mean?” may feel familiar to many when the acronym AUKUS is mentioned. Some readers may be familiar with the dialogue of submarines and the eye-watering amounts that this deal will apparently cost Australia (anywhere from $268bn to $368bn) but what actually is AUKUS and what does this all mean for Australia and the wider Indo-Pacific region?  … Continue readingPillars of Strength: Breaking down the AUKUS Agreement

The Rise of Regional Powers: Is Multipolarity the New Global Order?

The global order has faced a subtle yet significant shift in recent years. Traditional alliances are being reevaluated, regional actors are gaining confidence, and the once predictable rhythms of international order have become less consistent. At the core of this gradual change lies the realignment of US foreign policy; a series of moves that have provoked new debates about international cooperation, diplomacy, and the structure of global power. … Continue readingThe Rise of Regional Powers: Is Multipolarity the New Global Order?