Category: International Relations & Diplomacy
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In Search of a New World Order
How can governments uphold democracy in a fragmented, multipolar world while avoiding authoritarianism? The greatest threat to Western democracies is internal—censorship and suppression of dissenting opinions erode trust and weaken democratic values. To safeguard democracy, leaders must either eliminate censorship or admit democracy no longer exists in its purest form. The choice is between civil…
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Navigating China after an Election
Germany’s snap election on February 23 could bring a tougher China policy under Merz, marking a clear shift from Scholz’s pragmatic approach. While Merz warns against economic dependence, Germany’s recession may force a trade-off between strategic autonomy and economic stability. With China policy increasingly shaped by Brussels, Merz must rebuild EU trust to influence the…
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The impact of the Houthis’ FTO designation
• On January 22, President Trump re-designated Houthi as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO). ● It’s marking a specific U.S. approach to foreign policy. ● Yemen’s economy and humanitarian aid efforts face severe disruption under the Houthis’ FTO designation ● While Houthi leadership may not be directly affected, the Yemeni population and humanitarian organisations will…
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Venezuela Elections: What’s Next?
Despite claims of stealing the 2024 presidential elections, Maduro was inaugurated in January as Venezuela’s president for a third time, effectively extending his time in power to 18 years. As the opposition continues to pushback and the international community holds back on recognising Maduro, what’s next for Venezuela?
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German Foreign Policy is Becoming More Autonomous
1. What is the effect of the 2025 Bundestagswahl on German foreign policy. 2. The AfD and CDU commonly express growing discontent with Germany’s alliance system. 3. The results of the 2025 Bundestagswahl suggest that the idea of a more autonomous German foreign policy increasingly resonates with German voters.
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Beach, Sun, Sangria … Think Tanks?
The School for ThinkTankers 2025, organized by ‘On Think Tanks,’ was a five-day workshop designed to equip young professionals with skills for think tank leadership. The program covered governance, fundraising, policy influence, and communications, with insights from experts. Key lessons included the importance of adaptability, strategic foresight, and informal exchanges in strengthening think tank impact,…
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Remembering Singapore
Has the 2025 Munich Security Conference changed the assessment of the US alliance in Australia? Yes, there has been a shift, but historical memory of the Fall of Singapore has shaped it. Australia still feels safer in ANZUS, but only because it is so insecure in its perception of its position
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Great Ambitions
What can the history of the EU strategic autonomy debate teach us about the recent calls for European unity and defense integration? The EU strategic autonomy debate has been ongoing for three decades, yet the EU member states have repeatedly failed to turn its ambitions into concrete policy changes. Unless European leaders provide strategies for…
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Sport as Strategy
How is Australia defending against Chinese economic diplomacy in the Pacific region? Australia is utilising soft power diplomacy through Rugby League to foster a shared identity in the region and facilitate trust. Australia’s strategy is modest, but it’s this modesty that offsets the raw transnationalism of Chinese economic diplomacy and makes it effective.
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EU’s response to Syria’s new government
Since December 8th, 2024, the European Union (EU) has been working to determine how its relations with the new Syrian government will evolve. This article seeks to explain the reactions taken by the EU. This article concludes that the situation in Syria evolves rapidly, EU countries are vigilant. Member states wait for tangible steps towards…