Amid the uncertainty of geopolitical change, and even talk of possible major conflict, is there a case for some cautious optimism among the gloom and doom? Looking at the forces shaping the international order provides some insight.

The Rohingya crisis has been a catalyst for many of ASEAN's critics who say the regional association must change its policy of non-intervention, however a former ASEAN secretary-general defends its approach.

China's ever-growing economic power provides it with the ability to influence the region and its East Asian neighbours. So how is Beijing using its new economic leverage to achieve its strategic ambitions and what are the implications for Australia?

Climate change is warming the Arctic at more than twice the speed as the rest of the world and it is also facing serious social and economic challenges. How can the sustainable development goals help?

Increased attention is being paid to the role public opinion plays in shaping foreign policy. From its past impact on US decisions regarding the Vietnam War to the mix of populism and policy around the world today, how influential is the electorate's view?

Just as Winston Churchill called Russia "a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma", in 2018, the country continues to defy prediction. So what's next for a country with a history full of contradiction?

Tis' that time of year once again, when the smell of gingerbread and the sounds of holiday frivolity melt the cynicism of even the most seasoned of foreign policy analysts. It is perhaps for that reason that a crucial geopolitical blindspot has developed.

In the three years since his election, what has Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's unique fusing of religion, political ideology and tradition meant for the world's largest democracy?

The United Nations has the potential to play an important role providing a warning bell ahead of potential crises, such as the Rohingya refugee disaster, but changes to its structure are required.

The International Criminal Court was conceived as a bulwark of fairness, justice and the rule of law against those charged with the gravest crimes against humanity. In 2017, however, the court's future seems increasingly under threat.