Current Issue
AFA3 - July 2018Australia and Indonesia
Can We Be Friends?
‘While we can never ignore Indonesia’s potential as a threat, its potential as an ally is more important to us now than it has ever been.’ Hugh White
The third issue of Australian Foreign Affairs examines the turbulent relationship between Australia and Indonesia, and the missteps and missed opportunities that have prevented the forging of a friendship. It examines Indonesia’s rise, its sharp religious and political divisions, and the opportunities and challenges this presents for Australia.
Australia and Indonesia is crucial reading for anyone wanting to understand the intricacies of one of Australia’s most important relationships. As Asia’s power balance changes, the two neighbours need to deepen ties now to avoid a wider gulf in the future.
- Hugh White examines why Australia should embrace the rise of Indonesia, which could be a valuable ally but also a dangerous adversary.
- Jennifer Rayner analyses Australia’s economic and political challenges as it struggles to keep pace with its northern neighbour.
- Endy M. Bayuni reports on the Indonesian perspective on Australia and the misperceptions that hinder closer ties.
- Tim Lindsey explores the growth of conservative Islam in Indonesia, reflecting on what this means for Australia and the world.
- Julia Wallace discusses Myanmar and the Rohingya crisis.
- Richard McGregor examines China’s authoritarian revival.
PLUS Correspondence from Tim Costello, Jim Molan, Peter Jennings, Chengxin Pan and more.
ABOUT THE EDITOR
Jonathan Pearlman is the editor of Australian Foreign Affairs and is a correspondent for The Telegraph (UK) and The Straits Times newspaper (Singapore). He previously worked at The Sydney Morning Herald, covering foreign affairs and politics from Canberra and Sydney.
Australia is increasingly affected by events beyond its borders, especially as global power and wealth shifts towards Asia. The challenges facing Australia and the region are varied and complex, but they are also fascinating. There is a strong need and appetite for a publication that explores these challenges and debates the ways Australia should respond.
— Jonathan Pearlman, Editor, Australian Foreign Affairs
Australian Foreign Affairs News
Sign up to receive the latest news and exclusive offers.
Australian Foreign Affairs Weekly
Sign up to AFA Weekly
Next Issue
AFA4 - October 2018Defending Australia
The fourth issue of Australian Foreign Affairs examines the challenge of defending Australia at a time of regional uncertainty and fast-changing military technology. It explores the nation’s main vulnerabilities and the capabilities needed to secure against them, including the consequences of a nuclear arms race in Asia.
- Michael Wesley examines where Australia’s next war will occur, and how we can defend ourselves.
- John Birmingham analyses Australia’s weapons capabilities and how they compare to those of our Asian allies.
- Patrick Walters probes into Australia’s expanding intelligence agencies.
- Stephan Frühling considers if Australia should go nuclear, in the event of a looming Asian arms race.
PLUS
- Jane Perlez on Francois Bougon’s Inside the Mind of Xi Jinping and the aspirations of China’s leader for life.
- Tess Newton Cain on Matthew G. Allen’s Resource Extraction and Contentious States and mining in the Pacific region.
- Matthew Thompson on Jonathan Miller’s Duterte Harry and Duterte’s murderous rule in the Philippines.
- Richard Moore on Jack Corbett’s Australia's Foreign Aid Dilemma and the role that Australia could and should play in assisting other nations.
ALSO
Correspondence on AFA3: Australia and Indonesia, including responses from the feature essayists.
