Long before people and goods were traversing the globe non-stop, pandemics were already an inescapable feature of human civilisation. And the tragedy they bring has tended to have a silver lining: perceived as mysterious, meta-historical …
Debate: "General"
Cyclone Harold crashed through the South Pacific. Covid-19 creeps towards the islands. Pandemic and cyclone should sharpen Australia’s thinking about what it can and must do in the South Pacific. My single most important suggestion: …
The global economy may be in hibernation, but geopolitics is thriving and sprinting towards a potential crisis at the end of this year or early in 2021. The immediate and understandable focus is on fighting …
In this episode, ASPI’s Lisa Sharland speaks to Anna Powles of Massey University in New Zealand for an update on the impact Covid-19 is having on the Pacific. Senior ASPI analyst Huong Le Thu then …
This article is part of ASPI’s 2020 series on women, peace and security. In 2018, New Zealand Defence Minister Ron Mark encouraged countries in the Asia–Pacific to ‘identify their strengths and champion areas of expertise’. …
As the number of coronavirus victims mounts, making Iran one of the pandemic’s epicentres, the ruling ayatollahs have spotted an opportunity. They are driving an international campaign to have international sanctions lifted. Their main target …
Covid-19 has shone a spotlight on accountabilities and practices in the international cruise ship industry. Until now, the developed world has been in love with the industry, which has been growing at 15% per year, …
Beijing is declaring success in its control of Covid-19. It’s a funny kind of success, though, because on closer examination it looks more like what Australia, Taiwan, South Korea and New Zealand are doing now. …
Plagues bring out the best and worst in pharaohs, as they do in party secretaries, presidents, and directors of the World Health Organization. There’s nothing like a high-pressure crisis to test a leader’s mettle. In …
As nations around the world struggle to deal with Covid-19, some of the most effective responses may be found in the least expected corners. Singapore’s foreign minister, Vivian Balakrishnan, says that an effective response to …
The beat Fears marginalised groups being targeted by police Concerns have been raised in Australia that culturally diverse and low socioeconomic groups will be disproportionately targeted by police enforcing the social distancing regulations imposed to …
The global spread of Covid-19 has highlighted the importance of having a health security strategy that extends way outside of Australia. The Indo-Pacific Centre for Health Security in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade …