Today
Trump would love to target the Federal Reserve as well as Iran
The president sounds as angry with Jerome Powell as with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. But what he decides to do about Iran will come much sooner than a Fed rate cut.
Yesterday
Australia’s trade survival depends on beating Trump’s tariff contagion
How does Canberra cope in a world that threatens to spin off into competing blocs and help shape a world that preserves multilateralism, even if the United States is not a constructive part of it?
This Month
Storm clouds gather over G7
The intensifying conflict in the Middle East will dominate an agenda that was supposed to focus on trade and support for Ukraine.
Trust in US craters as Trump upends global order
The US president’s radical international agenda is undermining Australians’ trust in one of their most reliable allies.
G7 leaders aim to show they’re not intimidated by Trump
Many world leaders see fewer reasons to be cowed by the US President, even as they recognise the risks if he follows through on his threats.
The glaring flaw in AUKUS that even America’s top defence official knows
It’s virtually certain the review will conclude the agreement should not proceed unless Australia publicly commits to “do its part for the collective defence”.
The Iran-Israel conflict will be long and hit fragile confidence
The heightened global uncertainty wrought by the outbreak of war between the two countries only reinforces the likelihood the RBA will continue to cut rates.
Trump’s ‘deal’ with China is just a waypoint to the next fight
Donald Trump behaves as though he has an unfettered ability to dictate terms to foreign countries, but that doesn’t work when you are so reliant on a single supplier.
Why Brazil is too big and too important for Australia to ignore
Amid a shifting global order, expanding international ambitions and a tricky domestic balancing act, Brazil could have a greater impact on Australia than many realise.
G7 Summit will be a test of Albanese’s diplomatic skill
Foreign policy and trade aren’t the prime minister’s strong suit, and he has also appeared flat-footed on key defence issues
How do we put Australia first in Trump’s AUKUS review?
When the review comes out, the fact that it exists and may not be the last should show us that while America is our partner, we have to be able to do more for ourselves.
‘Beijing would rejoice’: AUKUS in jeopardy as US reviews its role
Defence Minister Richard Marles downplayed a US review into AUKUS which threatens Australia’s $300 billion-plus plans to build and acquire nuclear submarines.
Shipbuilder Austal’s Korean suitor clears key hurdle for bid
Hanwha has received approval from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to go to 19.99 per cent or even 100 per cent of Austal.
Australia and Chile have more in common than you probably think
The two countries have many similarities as mining-based economies dependent on China as their major trading partner. But the relationship goes deeper.
Beijing lashes Australia over ‘China threat’ meeting with allies
China has condemned Australia and its allies for stoking regional tensions.
Why Trump demands more from Australia’s defence budget
Increasing Australia’s defence budget to 3 per cent of gross domestic product would be acting in our own interests.
DFAT offers easiest management consulting gig yet
A US firm is so confident of getting the contract, they advertised for staff before the tender process even closed.
Trump tests the world’s nervous system – again
The president’s fury at being mockingly labelled TACO on tariffs may be enough to ensure that he proceeds on schedule.
Will Albanese stand up to Trump on trade and defence?
If played carefully, the US will have to accept Canberra can’t be kicked around, if for no other reason than they need the military bases on Australian soil.
The burning questions Hegseth left unanswered on the China challenge
The US defence secretary’s speech has helped to address, but will not silence, lingering questions about the Trump administration’s commitment to Asia.
May
The Russians are not coming to Indonesia
At no time did any of our national leaders consider how preposterous was the suggestion that Indonesia might let Russia base long-range bombers in West Papua.
Putin no show is playing Russian roulette with Trump
The Kremlin leader is not the master chess player that his propaganda portrays him as. He’s made many strategic errors in this war, and this may be his biggest.
Trump goes for gold in the Middle East
The US president’s visit to the region is focused on the money that’s on offer. Israel and Gaza are not part of the equation for instant returns.
China is beating Trump in the trade war
The reality is that the trade truce marks the end of the opening skirmish of the new cold war between the world’s two superpowers.