Between the Lines

If we use what we have learned from 2020, 'Utopia' can be ours; and with the rise of China, what is next for the USA?

2020 has many contenders for events with enormous consequence: the COVID pandemic, racial tensions, cancel culture and China, to name a few. It's easy to identify the 'losers', but who are the 'winners' who managed to lead in such uncertain times?

2020 has many contenders for events with enormous consequence: the COVID pandemic, racial tensions, cancel culture and China, to name a few. It's easy to identify the 'losers', but who are the 'winners' who managed to lead in such uncertain times?

Calls are growing for Canberra to end our dependence on China, but can Australia afford to cut ties with our most important trading partner? Also, should Beethoven be subject to 'cancel culture'?

Calls are growing for Canberra to end our dependence on China, but can Australia afford to cut ties with our most important trading partner? Also, should Beethoven be subject to 'cancel culture'?

The 9/11 terrorist attacks in the US are arguably the most significant and consequential events of the past 20 years. But beyond the initial 'shock and awe' revenge on al Qaida, the war on terror had only just begun.

The 9/11 terrorist attacks in the US are arguably the most significant and consequential events of the past 20 years. But beyond the initial 'shock and awe' revenge on al Qaida, the war on terror had only just begun.

Boris Johnson has cleared out leading Bexiteers, who’ve run his government since he became prime minister. Now what for Britain as it prepares for life after the EU? Also, is a Royal Commission into media diversity justified?

Boris Johnson has cleared out leading Bexiteers, who’ve run his government since he became prime minister. Now what for Britain as it prepares for life after the EU? Also, is a Royal Commission into media diversity justified?

As Trump leaves office it seems that 'Trumpism' is here to stay. Should Trump's base trust a new leader? Also, on the 45th anniversary of the Dismissal, evidence shows that there was no conspiracy between Buckingham Palace and Governor General Sir John Kerr.

As Trump leaves office it seems that 'Trumpism' is here to stay. Should Trump's base trust a new leader? Also, on the 45th anniversary of the Dismissal, evidence shows that there was no conspiracy between Buckingham Palace and Governor General Sir John Kerr.

How will it be possible for Trump or Biden to govern the US when tension is at its worst since the Civil War?; and how Emmanuel Macron defend press freedoms in secular France in the face of the Islamist challenge?

How will it be possible for Trump or Biden to govern the US when tension is at its worst since the Civil War?; and how Emmanuel Macron defend press freedoms in secular France in the face of the Islamist challenge?

Donald Trump’s foreign policy is usually met with derision. But while critics mock his diplomacy just days away from the US presidential election, Trump has had a few victories to put in his closing advertising pitch to the American people. Also, for more than a quarter century, no Republican won the presidency or ran the White House without the advice of James Baker. A new biography outlines his...

Donald Trump’s foreign policy is usually met with derision. But while critics mock his diplomacy just days away from the US presidential election, Trump has had a few victories to put in his closing advertising pitch to the American people. Also, for more than a quarter century, no Republican won the presidency or ran the White House without the advice of James Baker. A new biography outlines his...

Jacinda Ardern’s Labour Party has won a stunning victory in a landslide election but if NZ does not sort out its economic challenges quickly, could our trans-Tasman cousins become a failed state? Also, COVID-19 won’t spell the end of capitalism, but will the US move closer towards government intervention for complex issues like the pandemic? And if socialism continues to rise, how will it be diffe...

Jacinda Ardern’s Labour Party has won a stunning victory in a landslide election but if NZ does not sort out its economic challenges quickly, could our trans-Tasman cousins become a failed state? Also, COVID-19 won’t spell the end of capitalism, but will the US move closer towards government intervention for complex issues like the pandemic? And if socialism continues to rise, how will it be diffe...

Modern slavery has worsened with the economic fallout of COVID. As the supply chain falters during the global lockdown, sacked workers have become even more vulnerable to exploitation. Also, is the US guilty of breaking the rules that they themselves, recommended?

Modern slavery has worsened with the economic fallout of COVID. As the supply chain falters during the global lockdown, sacked workers have become even more vulnerable to exploitation. Also, is the US guilty of breaking the rules that they themselves, recommended?

Trump's response to COVID and the farcical presidential debate cause yet more concern for the US election. If America no longer stands as a global inspiration, where does that leave us? Also, China has been hailed as the world’s great hope for slashing carbon emissions. But if Beijing needs fossil fuels to grow the economy and reduce poverty, is the praise premature?

Trump's response to COVID and the farcical presidential debate cause yet more concern for the US election. If America no longer stands as a global inspiration, where does that leave us? Also, China has been hailed as the world’s great hope for slashing carbon emissions. But if Beijing needs fossil fuels to grow the economy and reduce poverty, is the praise premature?

As the Liberal Government prepares for the federal budget, is it going through an ideological revolution? For several decades, conservatives have supported smaller government and fiscal prudence but the coronavirus has meant that Scott Morrison has broken with tradition. Also, how does the world ensure that Xi Jinping’s China lives in a rules-based liberal international order?

As the Liberal Government prepares for the federal budget, is it going through an ideological revolution? For several decades, conservatives have supported smaller government and fiscal prudence but the coronavirus has meant that Scott Morrison has broken with tradition. Also, how does the world ensure that Xi Jinping’s China lives in a rules-based liberal international order?

Is Donald Trump a better bet for Asia than Joe Biden? While the region’s political elites are far more worried about China than climate change, Trump is more focused on containing China than decarbonising the global economy. Also, why does the West want to isolate Russia, when it has only had negative results in the past?

Is Donald Trump a better bet for Asia than Joe Biden? While the region’s political elites are far more worried about China than climate change, Trump is more focused on containing China than decarbonising the global economy. Also, why does the West want to isolate Russia, when it has only had negative results in the past?