China – the country supposedly going to replace the United States as the global hegemon. The country whose ‘rise’ has been named the top news story of the twenty-first century by the Global Language Monitor. The country that is generally thought to be the superpower … Continue readingCHINA: THE PAPER TIGER
“The interests of the State and the interests of Religion are two entirely different things” Q. Cardinal Richelieu1 In the time of the Thirty Years’ War and the subsequent formation of the modern state system, Cardinal Richelieu sought to reform French national priorities by subordinating … Continue readingMALI AND THE TUAREG: ABANDONED BY GOD
With sectarian violence, nuclear proliferation and nationalism currently the focus of the international news cycle, the economic and cultural partnerships of states well beyond our borders are not often addressed. This is evident with the intricate and perplexing dimensions of Italian-Israeli relations. Yet, from the … Continue readingIT ALL STARTED WITH AN ARTICHOKE: THE ITALIAN-ISRAELI ARTICHOKE WAR
If something is immoral to do, then it is also immoral to threaten. Language is shaped to aid and abet the possession and proliferation of the most heinous weapons known to man – nuclear bombs. The dialogue that surrounds nuclear weapons has been carefully constructed … Continue readingNUKESPEAK: DEFENDING THE INDEFENSIBLE
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has for the very first time held a summit in Australia. Hosted at Sydney’s Darling Harbour Conference Centre in March, the summit brought together global leaders, government officials, and business figures over two days. This historic event has … Continue readingAUSTRALIA-ASEAN SPECIAL SUMMIT: A TURNING POINT IN FOREIGN POLICY?
“I am announcing today that the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal. In a few moments, I will sign a presidential memorandum to begin reinstating U.S. nuclear sanctions on the Iranian regime. We will be instituting the highest level of economic sanction. … Continue readingUS ABANDONS THE IRAN DEAL: WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE REGION?
By Harrini Ratnanesan – Eurovision… Is it X-Factor on steroids? Just a mass gathering of Europeans in whacky costumes? Or is it some kind of weird religious-like festival where your friends worship SBS coverage with a cultish fervour? The last thing many would consider Eurovision … Continue readingGLAMOUR, MUSIC & POWER: THE POLITICS OF EUROVISION
At the May 9th election, Mahathir Mohamad secured a majority of seats in Malaysia’s Dewan Rakyat, ending the 61-year dominance of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO). Returning to office after retiring 15-years ago, Mahathir’s election has been described as a shock victory on a scale … Continue readingMAHATHIR MOHAMAD: THE RETURN OF MALAYSIA’S LONG-TERM PM
The British people voted to leave the European Union a little under two years ago. This sudden and somewhat surprising departure is the equivalent of a spoiled child threatening to leave home because their parents will not give them more pocket money. They both have a … Continue reading“SHAKE IT OFF” – WHY THE EU SHOULD JUST LET THE UK GO
It’s the break-up to end all break-ups. Since voting to leave the European Union (EU) with an underwhelming majority, the British public has been treated by Brussels and many economists as a recalcitrant spouse who has naively ended an indispensable union. Yet, Donald Tusk and … Continue readingTHE BREXIT BREAK-UP: WHY BRITAIN NEEDS TO LEAVE ITS’ NEEDY LONG-TERM LOVER BEHIND