Between the Lines

Paul Keating once described himself as the Placido Domingo of Australian politics; Peter Costello presided over a record run of surplus budgets; while Wayne Swan was named world finance minister of the year for steering the Australian economy through the global financial crisis. So who was Australia’s most exceptional Treasurer? Also in this edition of Between the Lines, another in Tom Switzer’s occasional series reflecting on the wisdom of decisions taken at pivotal moments in our history. This week, have America’s Republicans been too hasty and too vehement in condemning President Barack Obama over the Iran nuclear deal?

US Secretary of State John Kerry says the alternative to a nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers is war. But Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calls it ‘a stunning historic mistake’. Who’s right? And what does all this mean for US President Barack Obama’s legacy? Also in this edition of Between the Lines, weekend rallies by the right-wing nationalist group Reclaim Australia have prompted a warning that racial cohesion in Australia is facing its greatest threat in 30 years.  The president of the Anti-Discrimination Board of New South Wales, Stepan Kerkyasharian, says racially charged anti-Islamist rallies and counter anti-racism rallies could even escalate into a situation similar to the Cronulla riots a decade ago.

EU member states have agreed to extend tough economic sanctions against Russia until next year, as the Ukraine conflict drags on with no sign of resolution.  Indeed, some fear this new cold war could escalate into a nuclear war.  What’s behind this conflict?  And how might it be resolved? Also in this edition of Between the Lines, another in Tom Switzer’s occasional series reflecting on the wisdom of decisions taken at pivotal moments in our history.  This time, Tom considers whether the US decision to withdraw its troops from Iraq four years ago allowed Islamic State terrorism to flourish there?

Hillary Clinton is firm favourite to win the Democratic Presidential nomination and then go on to become the next US President at the election in November 2016, according to the latest polls. What are the challenges facing candidate Clinton?  And can she return to the White House – this time as America’s first female President? Also in this edition of Between the Lines, another in Tom Switzer’s occasional series reflecting on the lessons from pivotal moments in our history. This week, Tom considers whether action by the United Nations, Europe or the US could have prevented the Srebrenica massacre 20 years ago this weekend.

After years of crippling austerity, Greeks this week have confronted shuttered banks and long supermarket lines – the latest signs of their country’s escalating crisis. Now Greeks are about to vote in a referendum on whether to accept another tough international bail-out deal. What does this mean for the future of Greece and the eurozone? Also in this edition of Between the Lines, Australians’ views about Indonesia have sunk to their lowest point in eight years. According to the latest Lowy Institute survey, most Australians aren’t even aware that Indonesia is a democracy.  So what’s going wrong in the Australia-Indonesia relationship.

Talks to strike a deal to scale down Iran’s contested nuclear program are reportedly at a decisive moment, ahead the June 30 deadline. But should Iran eventually develop a nuclear bomb, what are the implications? Could a nuclear Iran spark a nuclear arms race in the Middle East? Also in this edition of Between the Lines, Australia has relied on its close alliance with the United States.  But is that security relationship still in Australia’s best interests? Or should Australia refocus its foreign policy attention on China?

Petty partisanship, political polarization and a poll-driven political culture are fuelling public angst about the state of Australia’s democracy. What’s to blame for this crisis of confidence in our politicians? And can it be fixed? Also in this edition of Between the Lines, Libya is splintering, with rival governments and parliaments, while Islamic State militants are taking over large towns.  Did the west help create this catastrophe by toppling Libya’s long-time dictator Moamar Gaddafi nearly four years ago.

Barack Obama promised to ‘degrade and destroy’ Islamic State, after its jihadists went on a rampage a year ago, grabbing Iraq’s second biggest city, Mosul, and other predominantly Sunni areas of the country’s north-west. But despite that US-led mission, last month the key Iraqi city of Ramadi fell to the terror group.  So is the mission failing and what does that mean for Iraq’s future? Also in this edition of Between the Lines, the situation in the South China Sea is heating up, with nations such as Vietnam and The Philippines calling on the US to contest China’s territorial claims.  Should the situation escalate into a clash between great powers, how should Australia respond?

With a thriving economy and a Prime Minister who has worked hard on the world stage, India has emerged as a major power in international affairs. In this special edition of Between the Lines, Tom Switzer visits Delhi, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad, for an insight into India’s challenges and prospects. Can Narendra Modi really transform India, entrenching economic growth, slashing poverty, and setting the scene for a tolerant multicultural future?

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has left open the possibility of sending more troops to Iraq, after Islamic State militants last week claimed the key city of Ramadi. But former Labor leader Mark Latham says Australia was wrong to commit troops to Iraq in 2003 and it shouldn’t be there now. Also in this edition of Between the Lines, Ireland’s overwhelming vote in favour of allowing same-sex marriage has emboldened supporters around the world, including in the United States, where gay marriage is now legal in 36 out of 50 states. Why is western public opinion shifting so quickly on same-sex marriage?