Between the Lines

Has Trump broken the 'rules-based international order'?

Commentators say that by withdrawing the US from international agreements, Trump has left a void in world leadership. But is he really to blame for the unravelling of the liberal international order? John Mearsheimer says that this is simply not true. Also, Malcolm Turnbull is said to have been responsible for the swing against the coalition in the 2016 election. He was the fourth prime minister in nine years. With the benefit of hindsight, what were the signs that he did not respect the Liberal...

One month after the unlosable election; and why we no longer need NATO

Gerard Henderson says despite the forecast by the academics, the polls and the pundits, there is no substitute for 'staying in touch' with the voting public. Also, 70 years after the establishment of NATO the threat that justified its creation has long gone. With the benefit of hindsight, wasn't the increased numbers of member states a dangerous idea?

30 years after the Tiananmen Square massacre, how strong is Australia's relationship with China?

Despite the Chinese warships entering Sydney Harbour this week, Australia's relationship with China is still mostly influenced by the US.

Theresa May leaves number 10; and insights into the 'quiet Australian'

As the shock of the federal election begins to wear off we are hearing more and more about the so-called 'quiet Australians' and If Theresa May can't implement Brexit, who can? As the Conservatives scramble to replace their leader, the Brexit party is gaining momentum.

Federal election: how did we get it so wrong?

How did we miss the signs that Scott Morrison would win the election? Also, whatever your opinions, Donald Trump and Ronald Reagan appeal to the public.

Election 2019: even some conservatives think we need a Labor government

Australia needs a Shorten government so we can experience 'buyer's regret'. So says conservative Janet Albrechtsen while on the other side of the Indian Ocean, despite the work of Nelson Mandela, many South Africans choose not to vote.

Political narcissism and the soft diplomacy of beekeeping

Are our major political parties offering a choice or an echo? Also, Australian honeybees are hot property overseas but for how long? As the only country to avoid the deadly varroa mite, others turn to Australia to share ideas on how to improve the health of bees globally.

Exporting democracy, Brexit and the anniversary of Thatcher

Forty years after the 'Iron Lady' was elected into office, Britain looks like it may be lurching to the left. While in the US, the country has long-believed that democracy is exportable, all it requires is intervention. Ted Galen Carpenter disagrees. He says that many of the countries who benefit from American support are 'anything but proponents of democracy'.

Prime Ministers Ben Chifley and Robert Menzies

Netanyahu wins again and Australia's changing relationship with China