This Month
Trump and MAGA have split thanks to Epstein
Months of differences, not just over the disgraced former financier, show what post-Trump conservatism will look like.
Trump to meet NATO chief as plan takes shape for Ukraine weapons sales
Mark Rutte’s Washington visit comes after the US President teased he would make a “major statement” on Russia as Ukraine struggles to repel air assaults.
Albanese stuck between Trump and China as he spruiks trade and tourism
Anthony Albanese has rebuffed US pressure to commit to defending Taiwan from attack, overshadowing a six-day visit to China aimed at bolstering economic ties with Australia’s biggest trading partner.
Albanese lost in translation as he heads to Beijing
The prime minister is sending a confused message on Australia’s relationship with the US. The contradictions will be sharper in his visit to China this weekend.
Joining EU research fund a ‘no-brainer’, says former ASIO chief
Duncan Lewis says research, including for defence, would be given a spectacular boost if Australia finally signed on to Horizon Europe.
Europe to stockpile critical minerals due to risk of war
General Carsten Breuer, the German chief of defence, warned last month that Russia could attack an EU member state within the next four years.
June
What kind of world does Trump want?
Both internationally and domestically, officials and investors are left struggling to understand if the US president is an interventionist or a peacemaker.
Ukraine destroys Russian helicopters in latest airfield drone strikes
The hit to the Kirovske base targeted Russian aircraft, air defence systems and storage facilities for ammunition and drones, according to Ukraine’s security service.
Albanese can’t escape ‘daddy’ Trump’s defence demands
Donald Trump wanted – and got – acclaim and obeisance from NATO leaders. It’s lucky Anthony Albanese wasn’t in the picture.
How NATO’s ‘daddy strategy’ conquered Trump
By playing to the president’s ego and rolling out the red carpet, the alliance has strengthened its bonds with its biggest financial backer.
Trump says US will speak with Iran next week, war ‘over’ for now
The president said America may sign an agreement on Tehran’s nuclear program, and dismissed a report that said the impact of United States’ strikes was limited.
US plays the Trump card at NATO
The summit allows the US president to parade his ceasefire success and press NATO members to up their defence spending. Australia’s Richard Marles is the odd man out.
Australia, Europe split over defence spending amid China, Russia risk
Anthony Albanese isn’t attending a summit of the world’s most powerful military alliance despite Europe’s alarm over Beijing’s “rapid” military build-up.
Trump loses one Nobel Peace Prize nomination – but may gain another
Oleksandr Merezhko, chairman of Ukraine’s foreign affairs committee, said he had lost “any kind of faith” in the president’s ability to end the war with Russia.
UK vows to spend 5 per cent of GDP by 2035 to hit NATO goal
The new promise marks a significant increase on the government’s current plans, to reach 2.6 per cent – including intelligence spending – by 2027.
PM cannot say when he’ll meet Donald Trump
Anthony Albanese says whenever he meets the US president, it will be “at a time that’s convenient for both of us”.
Japan refutes report US demanded defence spending of 3.5pc of GDP
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi says that the amount of spending is less important than how Japan raises its military capabilities.
PM can’t be seen to be begging when it comes to Trump
Given the fallout from the G7 snub, a second in as many weeks would be disastrous.
PM mulls travel plan change, could meet Trump next week at NATO
Anthony Albanese has changed his mind about attending the NATO summit in The Hague and will go if he can talk to the US president.
Iran’s regime is fighting for survival
Forty years after its war with Iraq, the Islamic republic faces a new existential test.