Between the Lines

How the US and China have handled the coronavirus contagion and the secret history of Labor's election debacle.

Kishore Mahbubani says COVID-19 won’t put dent on China’s ascendency, and the US should work out a more thoughtful, long-term strategy for managing China’s rise.

 

Kishore Mahbubani, Distinguished Fellow at the Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore, author of Has China Won? The Chinese Challenge to American Primacy

Has Malaysia’s Machiavelli made his last power play?

Ninety four year old Doctor Mahathir Mohamad shocked the world when he resigned as Malaysia’s Prime Minister last month. It was seen by some as a Game of Thrones-style power play to out-manoeuvre rivals. Has it all back fired?

Bridget Welsh Senior research associate at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Honorary Research Associate at University of Nottingham Malaysia’s Asia Research Institute (UNARI).

Also, China’s “magic weapons”:  three new cases of political interference in New Zealand

There are currently three investigations underway into China-backed political interference in New Zealand politics.

Anne Marie Brady, Professor of political science and international relations at the University of Canterbury, Global Fellow at the Kissinger Institute on China and the United States & Global Fellow of the Polar Institute. Author of Magic Weapons: China’s political influence activities under Xi Jinping

Uncle Sam: homeward bound?

From Donald Trump to Bernie Sanders, a growing chorus of voices in the US is calling for a strategy of global retrenchment. But what will long-time allies like Australia do if Uncle Sam goes home?

Thomas Wright, director of the Centre on the United States and Europe at the Brookings Institution and non-resident fellow at Lowy Institute in Sydney.

Doug Bandow, senior fellow at the Cato Institute, former special assistant to President Ronald Reagan, scholar-in-residence at the Centre for Independent Studies

And, French politics with The Economist’s Sophie Pedder

A sex scandal and Macron’s ‘Russia reset’. The Economist’s Sophie Pedder with the latest from the City of Light.

Sophie Pedder, Paris bureau chief, The Economist. Author of “Revolution Française: Emmanuel Macron and the Quest to Reinvent a Nation”

A Pacific compact to counter China’s rise.

Indonesia and Australia: can good neighbours become good friends?

Indonesia’s president gave a landmark address to Australia’s parliament this week, calling for an end to divisive identity politics and greater Australian action on climate change. What can Australia do to improve this very important relationship?  

 

And, Andrew Stone: making Australia great again

Former Chief Economist

Andrew Stone has a radical plan to revitalise the Australia economy – tackling everything from energy to housing and immigration

Caucus chaos, Bloomberg’s cash splash and Trump’s acquittal: what does it mean for American foreign policy?

A surreal week in US politics, with a huge debacle counting votes at the Iowa caucus to select a Democratic presidential candidate. But was the strongest candidate even on the ballot?  Also, Trump delivers an upbeat State of the Union on the eve of the vote of his impeachment acquittal. Amidst all this drama, what do the tea leaves say about the future shape of US foreign policy?

And, UK MP Tom Tugendhat on post- Brexit diplomacy and Huawei: has the UK let the fox into the hen house?

Last week, Boris Johnson decided to grant Huawei limited access to the UK’s 5G network. Australia and the US vociferously opposed the decision, arguing it threatens not only Britain’s national security, but also the integrity of the Five Eyes intelligence sharing agreement. Are their fears justified? Or is everyone getting just a little paranoid?

Soleimani killing: Was Washington's targeted killing of Iranian major general Soleimani justified?  What’s the strategy behind it, and what kind of blow back will the US face?

Danielle Pletka:  senior fellow in foreign and defence policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI)

Amin Saikal:  Director of the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies, ANU. Author: Iran Rising: The Survival and Future of the Islamic Republic  and, Islam beyond Borders: The Umma in World Politics

And, Are Russia and China developing an authoritarian alliance? Defence analyst Paul Dibb is sounding the alarm. He says the US could face a war on two fronts – in Europe and in Asia - if Putin and Xi collude to challenge the US.

Paul Dibb: Emeritus Professor of Strategic Studies at the Strategic & Defence Studies Centre, ANU, author: How the geopolitical partnership between China and Russia threatens the West, ASPI.

Has China lost Taiwan? We discuss the stunning election win of Tsai Ing-wen in Taiwan earlier this month. Has China lost Taiwan for good? Or does the election just make military action more likely?

Hugh White, Emeritus Professor of Strategic Studies ANU.

Nastasha Kassam, Research Fellow, Diplomacy and Public Opinion Program, Lowy Institute.

 

The man who mapped the world. It’s 250 years since Captain Cook first planted the British flag on Australian soil, but according to a new book most of us still don’t know the full story.

Peter Fitzsimmons, author: James Cook: The story behind the man who mapped the world

We know we were colonised by the British and built by the criminals they sent here.

But how much do we really understand about the very beginning of European settlement in Australia?

David Hill, former managing director of the ABC and author of Convict Colony