Current Issue
AFA6 - July 2019Our Sphere of Influence
Rivalry in the Pacific
“The uncomfortable reality is that preserving an exclusive sphere of influence in the South Pacific is not going to be possible against a regional power that is far stronger than any we have ever confronted, or even contemplated.” HUGH WHITE
The sixth issue of Australian Foreign Affairs examines Australia’s struggle to retain influence among its Pacific island neighbours as foreign powers play a greater role and as small nations brace for the impacts of climate change.
Our Sphere of Influence explores the security challenges facing nations in the southern Pacific and whether Australia will need new approaches to secure its relations and interests.
- Hugh White argues that Australia will be unable to keep China out of the Pacific and must urgently renew its defences.
- Jenny Hayward-Jones examines whether Scott Morrison’s Pacific “step-up” can reverse Canberra’s declining diplomatic influence.
- Katerina Teaiwa explores how Australia’s climate change policy undermines ties with its island neighbours.
- Sean Dorney reports from inside the forgotten Australian colony of Papua New Guinea.
- Euan Graham proposes how to address Australia’s knowledge gaps about the Chinese leadership and military.
- Elizabeth Becker reflects on the unique challenges for female foreign correspondents.
PLUS Correspondence on AFA5: Are We Asian Yet? from Clive Hamilton, Barry Li and Linda Jaivin.
ABOUT THE EDITOR
Jonathan Pearlman is the editor of Australian Foreign Affairs and the world editor of The Saturday Paper. He is a correspondent for The Straits Times newspaper (Singapore) and was Australia–Pacific correspondent for The Telegraph (UK). 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
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Next Issue
AFA7 - October 2019China Dependence
Australia’s new vulnerability
The seventh issue of Australian Foreign Affairs explores Australia’s status as the most China-dependent country in the developed world, and the potential risks this poses to its future prosperity and security.
China Dependence examines how Australia should respond to the emerging economic and diplomatic challenges as its trade – for the first time – is heavily reliant on a country that is not a close ally or partner.
- Allan Gyngell examines whether Australia’s economic dependence on China leaves us vulnerable.
- Margaret Simons analyses how Australia’s university system is increasingly reliant on funds from Chinese students.
- Richard McGregor examines the Australia–China trade relationship and the dangers of economic coercion.
- David Uren looks at the patterns of Chinese investment in Australia and what that means for the future.
PLUS
- Astrid Edwards on global warming and David Wallace-Wells’ The Uninhabitable Future.
- David Fettling on post-Suharto violence in Indonesia and Andreas Harsono’s Race, Islam and Power.
- Greg Earl on Japan’s decline as a global power and Brad Glosserman’s Peak Japan.
AND
- The Fix, offering solutions to Australia’s foreign policy problems.
- Richard Cooke’s The Back Page, demystifying key foreign policy jargon.
- Correspondence on AFA6: Our Sphere of Influence.
