Between the Lines

This week a dozen Pacific rim nations closed a free-trade deal: The Trans-Pacific Partnership It accounts for 40 per cent of global economic output and is the largest trade accord in history that has been nearly a decade in the works. But the next step may be even more daunting: selling the TPP to the US Congress. Plus Whitlam, justice, the Republic and state of our political debate.

It's been a big week at the United Nations. Presidents Obama and Putin clashed over how to resolve the Syrian crisis and how to beat Islamic State. Should we embolden the Assad regime or push for regime change in Damascus? Also today the year of living dangerously, the 50th anniversary of the attempted Communist coup in Indonesia.

Renewables: worth the money? Restless Continent.

Where do the events of this week fit in political history and was Abbott right in his last press conference  - blaming his downfall on the media and opposition politics? Also today does the European Union make the political and economic situation worse in Europe and what does the election of a lefter than left Labour leader in the UK mean for both the UK and Europe?

Today we discuss both our new military mission and the state of the refugees, especially the Arab Christians because we rarely hear about their plight in the post-Saddam Hussein era.

This week we speak to our first Ambassador to the People's Republic of China and an assessment of modern-day feminists and why they are incapable of understatement.

It’s been a week since the Bangkok bombing. Yet we’re still no closer to catching the culprit. What does this mean for Thailand more than a year after the military coup?

Today, Donald Trump is tapping anxiety and unrest among Americans? Can he be compared to Pauline Hansen? Plus the Indian Prime Minister on the global stage. He's asserting Indian power and prestige around the world but what about at home?

Today we ask whether Putin is a bear on the prowl or perhaps a bear having a growl? We then look at the legacy of the 37th President of the United States, surely it was more than a burglary and a cover up.

In an important speech to the Australian parliament in 2011, US President Barack Obama unveiled America’s planned pivot to Asia. Yet, the Middle East continues to dominate foreign policy debate in Washington. But is the Middle East really of greater strategic importance to America than the Asia Pacific? Also in this edition of Between the Lines, a look at the art of diplomacy as practiced by James Plimsoll, a distinguished former public servant.  What does Plimsoll’s long diplomatic experience reveal about Australian and world politics from the 1940s to 1970s?