Articles by: "John McCarthy"
A move to Jerusalem: at what cost?

Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s announcements of a possible move of our embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and of a review of our support for the Iran nuclear deal threaten seriously to prejudice …

Quo vadis, Australia?

Foreign policy white papers can disappoint. More than white papers on domestic policy, they deal largely with the unknown. And, for small and medium-sized countries in particular, foreign policy is often more a matter of …

ASEAN at 50: the authority of weakness

August has been replete with praise for ASEAN as it celebrates 50 years on the job. It is worth reflecting on the impact ASEAN has had on Australia and its place in our future. First, …

The West needs to talk about Russia

The place Russia occupies in the political maelstrom in Washington, the recent sanctions bills in Congress and Putin’s cuts to the American diplomatic presence in Russia are driving the US’s relationship—and hence the West’s relationship—with …

A matter of dignity

Three months ago, the American President insulted the Australian Prime Minister. In the now infamous telephone call, the Prime Minister might’ve managed the asylum seekers issue more nimbly. But he didn’t deserve what was dished …

Putting ANZUS in its place

During the Cold War, we were good allies to the Americans. Our presence in Korea and Vietnam was testament to our bona fides. But prime ministers Whitlam, Fraser, Keating and Hawke all had security policy …

Australia and the South China Sea

Lately, we Australians have had plenty to say about the South China Sea. The discussants fall into two broad groups. The first group subscribes closely to the perspectives of the United States Pacific Command and …

Australia and Indonesia: hard times ahead

The executions of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran will leave most Australians dismayed by President Joko Widodo’s refusal of clemency, angered by the clumsy, ugly execution process and jaundiced by the attitudes of a number …