Frances Adamson, DFAT Secretary, on our 50th episode.

Recent Chinese state-owned media have been using colourful headlines and articles to describe Australia. This is a tried and trusted method that has been used for at least a quarter century.

Europe’s €750 billion (A$1.23 trillion) European Recovery Plan is in deep trouble. Member states have yet to find agreement on how the funds are distributed and on what criteria distribution should be based.

In recent months, members of Iran’s Bahá’í community have been facing a double threat. Not only is the risk of infections from the coronavirus epidemic gripping their nation, a tide of religious persecution is also rising.

As the fight against COVID-19 rages across the world, a different battle is taking place in the South China Sea.

The Canadian bid to obtain a non-permanent seat at the UNSC was the cornerstone of the Trudeau international vision.  It is now in shambles as a result of the continued weakening of political multilateralism, increasing European solidarity, and the opposition of China and Saudi Arabia.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade launched an initiative to send commercial Australian television programs to local stations in the South Pacific. This move will probably do little to enhance what used to be a vigorous and discerning projection of Australian news and values into the region.

The United States’ participation in the Open Skies Treaty has always been essential to its operation and to the defence of the security interests of its European allies in the post-Cold War era. The decision will affect American security interests, as the U.S. loses a valuable means of gaining intelligence on Russian military activities and forces.

Working with the International Committee of the Red Cross in areas of conflict requires flexibility. When talking to armed groups, even amid pandemic, continuity of humanitarian operations is always the top priority.

China’s developmental peace approach to North Korea reads like a soft carrot and stick approach. The intensity can vary according to the actor, the issue, and the moment for fostering peace, security, and development.