There is nothing sinister in the federal government’s desire to control Australia’s foreign policy. However, proposed legislation to scrutinise “arrangements” between foreign governments and Australia’s states, localities, and public universities fails to recognise the role of subnational actors in promoting economic opportunities and increasing diplomatic engagement.

Australian-British academic Kylie Moore-Gilbert remains imprisoned in Iran on charges of espionage after attending an academic conference in Qom two years ago. Her mounting psychological distress is exacerbated by the prevalence of  COVID-19, and a renewed call for action is essential.

The Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement came into effect on the 1st of January 2005, after being signed the previous year. It has since allowed easy and greater access to Australian products into the United States.

Paris and Beijing want to enjoy the fruits of economic cooperation. However, stark variations in worldview, political standpoints, and global values give rise to diplomatic strife and conflicts of interests.

Human traffickers swiftly adapted to border closures and other measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Meanwhile, victims have been exposed to further exploitation, with access to essential services restricted.

In the latest drama of Brexit, the British government has indicated its plans to revisit the withdrawal agreement it signed with the EU on the terms of departure. Boris Johnson's government appears to have adopted unilateralism and a "Britain First" mentality to ensure he “gets Brexit done.”

Today, we are witnessing the exciting adoption of gamification by governments in their pursuit of the betterment of communities. However, complex design considerations must be recognised amidst this emerging approach.

Turkey's military expenditure is amongst the world's highest, yet it continues to grow. Strengthening the military's grip over the country's political and social life comes at the expense of sustainable economic and social development. 

Having a chair at the UN Human Rights Council is a privilege to many countries, and Australia is the first Pacific nation to achieve this goal. However, Australia’s presence at the Council has not been matched by a resolve to eliminate domestic and international human rights abuses.

The recent coup d’état in Mali exposes the country and the wider region to the burgeoning threat of jihadi terrorists. But it also provides an opportunity for the installation of a new, democratically elected government to further peace and stability.