Today
Australia can launch a new trade boom with China, Farrell says
The trade minister says that with feuds on wine and lobster exports potentially soon sorted, Australia could aim to stack on another $100 billion in trade.
- Hans van Leeuwen
Yesterday
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Philippines partners Australia on peace, stability and success in Asia
President Marcos’s speech is in keeping with the tightening network of Asian nations who are keen to keep the US engaged and are suspicious of Beijing’s intentions.
- The AFR View
- Opinion
- Keating at 80
Paul Keating’s critics could not be more wrong on AUKUS
It’s the former PM who understands that the world has changed, and we can no longer take American power for granted to keep Asia stable and Australia safe.
- Hugh White
February
- Opinion
- Defence
Australia’s defence plans are a charade
The announcement on Australia’s new ships doesn’t pass the pub test. Like its predecessors, this government isn’t serious about the threat it consistently talks about.
- James Curran
- Opinion
- NATO
Europe needs to prepare for the end of NATO
Russian aggression and American wavering reveal how ill-equipped Europe is to defend itself.
- The Economist
- Opinion
- Defence
Keating’s strategic illusion dies hard
The former prime minister’s timid isolationism, leaving others to do the heavy lifting, has its roots deep in Labor’s history.
- Alex McDermott
Marles rips into defence ‘culture’
Defence Minister Richard Marles has sharpened criticisms of his own department, arguing there are “issues of culture” which need challenging.
- John Kehoe
- Opinion
- Keating at 80
Keating’s quaint defence of Australia doesn’t grasp regional power politics
Labor has put aside two absurd features of the Keating era: a defence policy designed to deal with direct invasion and the diminution of our US alliance
- Alexander Downer
- Opinion
- Russia-Ukraine war
The sad reality is that Ukraine is outgunned and outmanned
Strategic analysts were adamant either that Ukraine would fall or Russia would buckle. Two years later, neither has happened.
- James Curran
Navy shipbuilder Austal flags settlement to avoid US litigation
The shipbuilder has enlisted the US and Australian defence departments for support in its negotiations with the DOJ and SEC.
- Brad Thompson
- Opinion
- International affairs
What’s Plan B if America never goes back to normal?
Paul Keating has once again asked whether the US alliance shapes Australia’s view of the world more than it should.
- Bec Strating
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Bold navy plan needs backing with hard cash
Australia reaped a resources bonanza from China’s rise as the workshop to the world. Now some of that needs to be redirected as a national security insurance premium.
- The AFR View
- Analysis
- Russia-Ukraine war
Cheap drones are transforming warfare in Ukraine
First-person-view drones have achieved near mythical status on the front lines but need artillery to influence battles.
- The Economist
- Opinion
- Defence
Awakening of a maritime nation 50 years in the making
It is a historic day when the government has finally agreed to support an enhanced surface combatant fleet capability for the Royal Australian Navy.
- Jennifer Parker
- Opinion
- Prabowo Subianto
History’s hand on Prabowo’s shoulder
The new president, steeped in Indonesian nationalism, is likely to hew closely to Joko Widodo’s middle path between the US and China.
- James Curran
- Opinion
- Indonesian election
Prabowo the continuity candidate will be far from a proxy president
Prabowo Subianto has finally breezed into power in his predecessor’s slipstream. But he will push through his own agenda with an unpredictable style as Indonesian president.
- Ben Bland
This country will do anything to make a buck
In its quest for cash, the tiny island nation of Nauru has tried it all. Its latest scheme may be its riskiest bet yet.
- Christina Lu
- Opinion
- Letters to the Editor
This is no time to fire up the megaphone with China
Readers’ letters on Australia’s relationship with Beijing, Matt Comyn’s interest rate predictions, the implications of Victoria’s blackouts, and a long history of Defence delays.
- Analysis
- Indonesian election
Prabowo finally takes the office he has craved
The former military commander looks to have secured the Indonesian presidency – but will his time in office herald a new era for the country?
- James Curran
- Opinion
- US election
Trump rattles US alliance cages again
Canberra should reach out to Donald Trump not with gold-plated AUKUS submarine models but by restating why Australia’s defence matters to American security.
- James Curran