As the Syrian civil war is raging on into its seventh year, the power of jihadist groups is declining. As each of these terrorist groups face existential irrelevancy, the possibility of them joining forces to make one last stand should not be ignored.

From American film studios to Southeast Asian textile factories, women experience workplace sexual harassment. Now the International Labour Organisation is charged with developing a standard to combat the problem.

The Commonwealth is a unique global network based on shared history, language, legal systems and values. The London Summit shows why it matters more than ever, including to a UK determined to be global in action and spirit as it prepares for Brexit.

Australia declared in last year’s Foreign Policy White Paper that it would promote the rules-based international order. While most countries see it as in their national interest, the challenge is to formulate an order that attracts the widest possible acceptance.

Contrary to popular belief, a rules-based international order is not in continuity with the past, but a replacement for an international law-based order. The decay of the ideal of politically-neutral international law is a dangerous shift. 

Waves of foreign investment and trade have been essential features of Australian development. In our burgeoning relationship with China, we have for the first time an agency of the Australian government effectively undermining our relationship with our major trading partner.

Australia needs to unravel several different issues but the foreign interference legislation succeeds only in straining diplomatic ties with China and weakening political participation. Australia would be better to strengthen its democratic structures and expand its diplomatic role in the region.

Members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association have declared the need to counter transnational terrorism through the sharing of intelligence. The absence of trust is one of several obstacles that remain for integrated impartial intelligence.

Australia has closely cooperated with the US security agenda in outer space, with joint facilities on Australian territory to support intelligence activity. However, laser technology could supply Washington with the means to bypass these facilities in the future.

The US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal was welcomed by many of the Iranian people. The next step is for the US Administration to support the goals of those involved in resistance against the regime.