Politics

Anthony Albanese, pictured in Sydney on May 21, should not expect a political honeymoon.
Opinion

Australia's new leader must battle lost decade risks

The Lucky Country's economy is in dire need of a reboot

26 May 2022
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, right, attends a signing ceremony with Solomon Islands counterpart Jeremiah Manele in 2019.
Indo-Pacific

China gets jump on Australia's new government with Pacific tour

Wang leads Beijing's battle for influence in Solomons and other island nations

26 May 2022
Wheat is loaded onto a bulk carrier at the port of Geelong in Victoria, Australia. Exporters are being thwarted by limited loading capacity at ports and high shipping costs.
Commodities

Australia's record wheat harvest is no fix for the global food crisis

Logistical challenges hold back exports as concerns grow over next year's crop

25 May 2022
U.S. President Joe Biden, center, used his recent trip to Asia to show that the Indo-Pacific region is a top priority for his administration. He met South Korea's Yoon Suk-yeol, Australia's Anthony Albanese, Japan's Fumio Kishida and India's Narendra Modi. (Nikkei montage/Reuters)
Biden's Asia policy

Was Biden's Taiwan statement scripted? 5 takeaways from his Asia trip

Quad summit, new trade framework underscore region's importance to U.S.

25 May 2022
Anthony Albanese, Joe Biden, Fumio Kishida and Narendra Modi at the Prime Minister's Office of Japan in Tokyo on May 24: The Quad's moment of truth has arrived.
Opinion

Biden's empty Taiwan rhetoric reveals Quad's core weakness

Group will have to move fast if it is to maintain status quo in the Indo-Pacific

25 May 2022
Protestors gather outside the parliament building in Honiara, Solomon Islands on Nov. 24, 2021. Georgina Kekea via REUTERS
International relations

New Zealand extends military deployment to Solomon Islands

Troops part of Pacific-led assistance force amid fears of growing China presence

25 May 2022
Fumio Kishida reviews an honor guard at the Ground Self-Defense Force Camp Asaka in November 2021: Japan lacks a stringent security clearance system and effective legislative oversight.
Opinion

Japan needs to manage its Five Eyes expectations

Pros and cons associated with joining the Anglo intelligence sharing alliance

25 May 2022
From left, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, U.S. President Joe Biden, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrive at the Quad leaders summit on May 24.
Indo-Pacific

Quad slams coercive attempts to alter status quo in Indo-Pacific

But joint statement avoids pointing finger at Russia for Ukraine crisis

24 May 2022
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks during the Quad leaders' summit in Tokyo on May 24.
International relations

Australia's Albanese grabs torch on climate change in Quad debut

New PM calls issue 'main' Pacific challenge, striking different tone from Morrison

24 May 2022
Penny Wong smiles as she introduces Labor Party leader Anthony Albanese ahead of his election victory speech early Sunday in Sydney.
Indo-Pacific

Who is Penny Wong, Australia's new foreign minister?

Born in Malaysia, the openly gay lawmaker is likely to be tested by Beijing

24 May 2022
Fumio Kishida, Anthony Albanese, Joe Biden and Narendra Modi speak to each other after meeting at Kantei Palace in Tokyo on May 24: Drawing India into anything approaching an alliance to contain China will never work. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi)
Opinion

Shared unease over China helps the Quad come of age

Possible future members include South Korea and the U.K.

24 May 2022
"Teal" independent candidate Zoe Daniel celebrates her election win on Saturday in Melbourne.
Australia election

How Australian women helped Labor win 'gender quake' election

Hoping for more integrity, climate action, voters backed female 'teal' candidates

23 May 2022
Australian Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese during the second leaders' debate of the 2022 federal election campaign at the Nine studio in Sydney on May 8.
Australia election

Who is Anthony Albanese, Australia's new prime minister?

Raised by a single mom, 59-year-old is set to make diplomatic debut in Tokyo on Tuesday

23 May 2022
The new Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has pledged tax relief for more than 9 million Australians with incomes above a certain threshold. (Source photos by Reuters)
Markets

Australian market calm as Anthony Albanese becomes prime minister

Labor's economic policies 'not radically different' but clear win soothes nerves

23 May 2022
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will visit the U.S. as her country looks to fully reopen its border after more than two years of COVID restrictions.
International relations

New Zealand's Ardern to visit U.S., promoting exports and tourism

PM plans Harvard commencement address, meetings with senators and U.N. chief

23 May 2022
Australian Labor Party leader Anthony Albanese, center, shakes hands with a voter outside a polling station during Saturday's election.
Australia election

Australia's allies congratulate Albanese with all eyes on China

Early signs hint at Beijing's hopes for better ties after Morrison's election loss

22 May 2022
Anthony Albanese, leader of Australia's Labor Party, addresses supporters in Sydney after winning the federal election.
Australia election

Labor wins Australia election to end 9 years of conservative rule

Anthony Albanese is set to become nation's next prime minister

21 May 2022
Voters cast their ballots on the morning of the federal election at a Bondi Beach polling station in Sydney on Saturday.
Australia election

Australians cast ballots in vote to pick new prime minister

Labor has a lead in opinion polls, but the conservative coalition is closing gap

21 May 2022
"Teal independent" candidate for Zoe Daniel speaks to supporters in April.
Australia election

Australia's Labor, 'teal independents' tap female voter frustration

Harassment scandals, ugly statistics offer opening against ruling coalition

20 May 2022
An East Timor flag is displayed on independence day.
International relations

China looms large in East Timor 20 years after independence

By strengthening commercial ties, Beijing raises presence in western Pacific

20 May 2022
Labor leader Anthony Albanese, left, and Liberal Prime Minister Scott Morrison are both seeking to assure voters that they can manage difficult relations with China. (Nikkei montage/Reuters/Getty Images)
Australia election

China on the ballot in Australia as Solomons pact upends debate

Labor shares Liberals' hawkish tone but looks set to pursue more regional diplomacy

19 May 2022
A woman pumps gas in Sydney on March 29. Rising gasoline prices are contributing to a crisis in the cost of living in Australia.
Australia election

Soaring cost of living hangs over Australian election

The winner of Saturday's poll will have to tackle accelerating inflation

18 May 2022
Scott Morrison waves during the campaign launch in Brisbane on May 15: Morrison made a late bid for momentum.
Opinion

Australia's election is a contest about character and competence

Six-week campaign has been uninspiring and at times unedifying

18 May 2022
One challenge for countries like Australia is that Pacific states do not view relationships "as a choice or a swap," but rather additions to existing cooperation, said Lowy Institute research fellow Mihai Sora.
Asia Insight

Paradise lost? China, the Solomons and the battle for the Pacific

Security pact tests old benefactors like Australia amid vaccine diplomacy rush

17 May 2022
Australia's next prime minister will be either incumbent Scott Morrison, left, or Labor leader Anthony Albanese. (Source photos by AP and Reuters) 
Australia election

Economy key to Australian election: 5 things to know

National security vis-a-vis China also a big challenge for next government

16 May 2022