ASPI suggests
29 Mar 2013| and
Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr meets with President U Thein Sein at the Presidential Palace in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, on June 7, 2012.  Photo: Christopher Davy

There’s been a lot of reflection on Australian blogs and news sites about our role in the Iraq war, so for a change, here’s a piece that examines Iraq’s future political prospects and another that ponders whether Iran was the real victor of the war.

Following on from last week’s visit by Myanmar President Thein Sein to Canberra, Sean Turnell’s latest East Asia Forum post examines two economic reforms that are illustrative of challenges ahead for foreign investment.

Next week we’ll be featuring a post on the complex issues raised by autonomous drones. Here’s a New York Times piece that draws on similar themes including the ethics involved in killing and autonomy.

There’s a fascinating blog post on the barriers to professional military blogging. Cross-posted to CIMSEC, it asks, why is it so difficult to attract Gen-Y thinkers to post about naval warfighting? Here’s a snippet:

The perceived risks and rewards of sharing ideas online have never been greater in an era where the center of gravity in naval warfighting thinking has shifted from the dusty Naval War College Review lying unread on the shelf in the empty wardroom, to the simulator and the blogosphere.

Events

Canberra: What is ‘Abenomics’ and will it help Japan’s ailing economy? ANU is hosting a public lecture by Professor Takatoshi Ito on Tuesday 2 April at 5.30pm, JG Crawford Building.

Melbourne: If you’re interested in the economic relationship between Australia and China, Mr Colin Heseltine, a former Australian diplomat, will talk about strengthening business ties, hosted by AIIA Victoria Thursday 4 April at 6pm, Dyason House.

Is China at a turning point? Hosted by the Asia Institute and the University of Melbourne’s Centre for Contemporary Chinese Studies, Professor Christine Wong, Mr Murray McLean and Professor Ross Garnaut will discuss China’s trajectory on Monday 8 April at 5.30pm, Sidney Myer Asia Centre.

Sydney: the Lowy Institute will be hosting former Prime Minister John Howard who will deliver an address on the tenth anniversary of the Iraq war on Tuesday 9 April, details here.