July
US journalist sentenced to 16 years in Russian prison
The Wall Street Journal’s Evan Gershkovich becomes the first Western reporter to be convicted of spying in modern Russia, and could be used in a prisoner swap.
- Ivan Nechepurenko
February
- Analysis
- Analysis
Why are we talking ourselves into Armageddon?
Western leaders and commentators are increasingly talking of World War Three, but they may be overestimating the strengths of Russia, China and Iran.
- James Curran
December
Iraq war secrecy reignites calls for inquiry
Every year the National Archives releases cabinet documents from 20 years earlier, but it is what was not released for 2003, the year Australia committed troops to Iraq, that has sparked the most attention.
- Ronald Mizen
December 2023
- Opinion
- Democracy
Democratic recession could deepen in 2024
At this moment of maximum global peril, democracies have lost the thing they need most: the power of their legitimacy.
- Misha Zelinsky
August 2023
Kim calls for North Korea’s military to sharpen war plans
In the face of deepening confrontations with Washington and Seoul, Kim Jong-un is trying to boost his partnerships with Moscow and Beijing.
- Kim Tong-Hyung
February 2023
Australia slaps fresh sanctions on Myanmar, Iran
The Albanese government targets top military officers as it unleashes travel bans and asset freezes on the Myanmar junta and Iran’s hardline regime.
- Hans van Leeuwen
December 2022
How Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping could ruin 2023
The West was energised and united by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as autocrats were forced to confront their limits. Will it continue this year?
- Updated
- Hans van Leeuwen
December 2022
- Analysis
- Analysis
Why 2022 was the year the strongmen stumbled
Vladimir Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine demonstrated why authoritarian rule so often ends in disaster. The authoritarian regimes that support Putin have also had a bad year.
- Gideon Rachman
- Analysis
- Coal
Perrottet gives himself dictator-like powers over coal
The NSW government is giving itself the power to set maximum prices, decide who coal will be sold to, and control the use of the coal.
- Updated
- Aaron Patrick
What Kim Jong-un really wants
With the world focused on Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, Pyongyang has staged more tests this year than any other on record.
- John Delury
- Opinion
- Opinion
The year the world reached ‘peak autocrat’
With the big three of the dictators’ club – Iran, Russia and China – facing domestic turmoil and sanity making a comeback at the ballot box, the long democratic winter is starting to break.
- Misha Zelinsky
October 2022
Cheers for returning Iranian climber who competed without a headscarf
Iranian competitive climber Elnaz Rekabi received a hero’s welcome on her return to Tehran early Wednesday, after competing in South Korea without wearing a mandatory headscarf.
- Jon Gambrell
A generation revolts against Iranian regime
In Iran, protests are almost constant – but a new generation threatens to move the country to a precipitous tipping point.
- Kim Ghattas
August 2022
The volatile Millennial wielding absolute power in Saudi Arabia
The war in Ukraine and subsequent energy crisis mean Mohammad bin Salman is back in demand. But those closest to him fear his rule could take a dangerous turn.
- Nicolas Pelham
July 2022
Iron ore miners accelerate African push
Two of Australia’s big three iron ore miners, Rio Tinto and Fortescue have progressed plans to build alternative iron ore hub in Africa.
- Peter Ker
March 2022
How Bill Browder got under Putin’s skin
He’s been name-checked by the Russian leader and warned by Moscow’s top prosecutor not to sleep soundly at night, but Bill Browder is unbowed in his crusade to expose Putin’s criminality.
- Hans van Leeuwen
March 2022
- Analysis
- Russia-Ukraine war
Next door to Ukraine, will Putin’s other invasion also unravel?
The Russian leader has pulled off a “soft annexation” of Belarus. But the war might yet unexpectedly loosen his leash on Minsk’s dictator, Alexander Lukashenko.
- Updated
- Hans van Leeuwen
How Australia must cope with the new age of uncertainty
Top CEOs say the world is facing a pivotal moment brought by geopolitical unpredictability, higher inflation, lower returns and a retreat from globalisation.
- Ronald Mizen
Fears grow that Putin may declare martial law in Russia
Tough sanctions and significant dissent are pushing the Kremlin into more authoritarian measures on the home front.
- Updated
- Hans van Leeuwen
February 2022
‘Modern Ukraine was created entirely by Russia’
A televised speech by Russian President Vladimir Putin explains the reasons for moving troops into eastern Ukraine.