October 2024
‘We should learn from history’: ex-general warns of climate wars
As chief of the Dutch armed forces, Tom Middendorp was castigated for suggesting climate change was a security threat. Now his views are mainstream.
January 2024
Five maps that show why the Red Sea is so important
The Houthi attacks on shipping and the US-led response have highlighted the global significance of this narrow stretch of water.
We’ve sent an unambiguous message to the Houthis: your attacks have to stop
We endured attacks on international shipping and freedom of navigation for months without responding. Now we have taken necessary, lawful and proportionate military action as a last resort.
December 2023
Shippers know the Suez is always a crisis waiting to happen
The channel should still be used, when it’s safe, as the savings are great. But knowing there’s a backup is enough assurance that the global economy won’t crash.
The Houthi rebels ignored for 10 years who threaten global trade
Gulf experts say the West may have underestimated the power of the Iran-backed militant group.
Live sheep exports to Saudi Arabia to resume after 12 years
About 5000 sheep will be exported this week, as farmers fight Albanese government moves to shut down the industry.
September 2023
Putin says he won’t renew grain deal until West meets demands
Ukraine and its Western allies have dismissed the Kremlin’s demands as a ploy to advance its own interests.
January 2023
Davos: a pointless elitist indulgence or inspirational agenda-setter?
The annual World Economic Forum meeting is about to get underway in Davos. European correspondent Hans van Leeuwen and special contributor Peter Holmes a Court go to head-to-head on whether the world should care.
June 2022
Stagflation danger prompts World Bank to cut growth outlook
The bank slashed its annual global growth forecast to 2.9 per cent from January’s 4.1 per cent.
November 2021
Channel deaths fuel UK-France tensions over migrant boats
Britain reiterated calls for joint patrols along the French coast, and France demanded more support from its neighbours.
October 2021
British MP’s murder suspect was flagged to counter-extremism officials
London’s Metropolitan Police said they had been granted a warrant under the Terrorism Act to keep the suspect in detention for six extra days.
September 2021
Pentagon chief: al-Qaeda may seek comeback in Afghanistan
Lloyd Austin says the US military is capable of containing al-Qaeda or any other extremist threat to the US emanating from Afghanistan.
No more US intervention? Tell me another one
America is said to be on the verge of something called ‘isolationism’. The record, by contrast, tells us to expect another show of force in some remote trouble spot or other by mid-decade. Go with the record.
August 2021
Biden’s Afghan disaster will follow him home
What happens in Afghanistan won’t stay there. The consequences of defeat are never small even for the greatest nations.
October 2020
Time to test for the virus, over and over
One answer to living with COVID-19 is taking less accurate but quicker tests more often. Australia is cautious, but it's an obvious alternative to lockdown.
August 2020
Canada's embattled finance minister quits Trudeau cabinet
Bill Morneau's resignation follows controversy over his ties to a charity that won a key government contract and as the budget deficit soars to $360 billion.
February 2020
Fear the apocalypse? Stop reading now.
A plague of locusts sweeping across the Horn of Africa has potential to cause harm on a biblical scale.