Tom Switzer is a senior fellow at the University of Sydney's United States Studies Centre and a host at the ABC's Radio National.
The parliamentary year resumes this week and, unless Malcolm Turnbull is lucky, it will be his final one as Prime Minister. There are regrets, doubts and, worst of all, dark forebodings. Having sacked a PM only two years into the job, the Liberal Party now finds itself in political trouble.
What is it about Russia that winds everyone up so much? Why all the anger, the endless barrage of alarmist rhetoric and ruthless drive to isolate a great power with a vast arsenal of nuclear weapons?
It is timely to remember the prudent and cautious response of George H. W. Bush to the Soviet Empire's collapse.
It is a reminder of the folly of the conventional wisdom. It's a good thing we experts don't make our living playing the stock market.
For all his flaws, the US President-elect recognises his goal is to work out a modus vivendi based on the sober reality of power politics.
The kind of populism that is on the rise across the US and Europe is unlikely to shake up the political establishment in Canberra.
Australians are not so focused on our neighbourhood, perhaps because we're besotted by American affairs.
The tragedy of Allepo
The University of Sydney's decision to award John Howard an honorary doctorate – and the campus backlash it has provoked – is an occasion to reflect on our nation's second-longest serving prime minister.
Virtually every seasoned observer of American politics, including this writer, has all too often dismissed Trump. And yet, as things stand, the Republican standard bearer could win the election.
Search pagination
Save articles for later.
Subscribe for unlimited access to news. Login to save articles.
Return to the homepage by clicking on the site logo.