World politics
ALTERNATIVE LABELS
Geopolitics
NARROWER TERMS
Report
Countering Chinese coercion: multilateral responses to PRC economic pressure campaigns
The authors of this paper propose that the United States should help establish a multilateral mechanism through informal consultations, an existing body, or the creation of a new entity consisting of willing partners, to monitor and respond to Chinese economic pressure that undermines the operations...
Report
Sharper choices: how Australia can make better national security decisions
The author of this paper argues that a new national security strategy for Australia would help guide policy-makers, but strengthening the decision-making process would do more to improve the quality of national security decisions.
Report
Growing challenges, rising ambitions
This report examines a range of pathways for U.S.-Australia cooperation to evolve and deepen. Covering economic, technological, diplomatic, development and defense topics, the 18 essays in this report outline the state of play on each topic, frame the most salient questions and challenges, and offer...
Briefing paper
China and the challenge to global order
The authors of this paper argue that while China poses a modest security threat to the United States, it does pose a major challenge to the overall global economic and political order.
Working paper
Trends, investor types and drivers of renewable energy FDI
Recently, foreign direct investment (FDI) in renewable energy has been on a rising trend, while FDI activity in fossil fuels has started showing some signs of a possible slowdown. Although the changing geopolitical context might have implications for the development of these trends, the findings...
Briefing paper
"Reunification" with Taiwan through force would be a Pyrrhic victory for China
Many commentators and officials speculate about Beijing’s plans to compel 'reunification' with Taiwan. This analysis helps clarify what could be at stake for the world, and reaffirms the importance of deterring Beijing from contemplating a military attack on Taiwan.
Report
Australia’s Asia education imperative: trends in the study of Asia and pathways for the future
This report focuses on trends in the promotion of Asia literacy in Australian universities from 2000 to 2022 - outlining both achievements and challenges.
Report
Dedication or distraction in Indo-Pacific diplomacy: comparing US Indo-Pacific engagement under the Obama, Trump and Biden presidencies
In advance of the upcoming Asian summit season, this policy brief reflects on US high-level diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific since the Obama Administration’s 'pivot' to the region was announced. The findings emerge from a quantitative catalogue of 1,128 diplomatic meetings held across the Obama, Trump...
Report
Lost time and damaged reputations: what Australia must do to go from blocker to leader on loss and damage
The author of this report argues that if the Albanese Government is sincere in its intention to show climate leadership on the world stage, and to be a 'different' Australian government to the Pacific, then it must deliver on a range of climate policies and...
Report
Can rubber meet the Road: reassessing US and Indo-Pacific allies’ infrastructure responses to China’s Belt and Road Initiative
In this report, the author argues that by increasing flexibility, focusing on strategic infrastructure, and being proactive not reactive, the United States and its allies stand a greater chance of drawing countries away from China’s Belt and Road Initiative and reducing its strategic risks.
Report
US midterms 2022: the stakes for Australia and the alliance
Regardless of the outcome of the mid-term elections in the United States, the new Congress ultimately will both enable and constrain the policy-making necessary to execute lofty US and allied goals as the era of strategic competition continues unabated. The authors of this survey report...
Report
Chinese coercion, Australian resilience
As bilateral relations stabilise, Australia should work to entrench its position as an indispensable supplier of key commodities to China, argues Richard McGregor in this paper.
Report
The geopolitical implications of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
The policy background to this assessment is that Russia’s outright invasion of Ukraine is an extremely dangerous moment for global security because Europe’s security order is now being fundamentally challenged with the real risk of escalation into a major war involving Russia and the United...
Report
Australia in the Middle East: enduring risks, interests, and opportunities
Despite ending its 20-year military operations in the Middle East, Australia’s equities in the region are now more substantial than ever, writes Rodger Shanahan.
Report
Our future world: global megatrends impacting the way we live over coming decades
This report presents an update on CSIRO’s global megatrends out to 2042, with the view to guide long-term investment, strategic and policy directions across government, industry, the not-for-profit sector and the broader Australian community.
Report
Stumbling bear, soaring dragon: Russia, China and the geopolitics of global science
This report argues that Western universities need to brace for a geopolitical shock that could dislocate global research networks and dramatically narrow the range of potential collaborative partners.
Report
Lowy Institute poll 2022
This annual poll reveals that in 2022, Australians report feeling unsafe, and as the potential for conflict in our region feels more possible. Support for Australia’s alliance with the United States has returned to a record high, with the majority of Australians now supporting increased...
Report
Australia and the Pacific: shaping a shared future
The Pacific will always be an area of great strategic significance for Australia. Peace and stability in Pacific island countries goes to the heart of Australia’s security, prosperity and national interest. This report suggests the need for Australian policy-makers to think big to achieve a...
Report
Turning point? Putin, Xi, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine
At their Beijing summit in February 2022, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin proclaimed a 'friendship without limits.' Yet Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, and the Chinese response to it, has exposed the limitations of the Sino–Russian partnership, argues Bobo Lo in this...
Book
China Story yearbook 2021: contradiction
This book offers an accessible take on this complex and contradictory moment in the history of China and of the world.
Briefing paper
Taiwan and the dangerous illogic of deterrence by denial
The author of this paper argues that although there are many compelling reasons to prefer that Taiwan remain democratic and retain its affinity with the West, these outcomes are not so vital as to merit a strategy for which the immediate consequence of failure is...
Policy report
Resolving global crises: the urgent need to revive multilateralism and re-think Australia’s role
This paper focuses on the report 'Our Common Agenda', arguably one of the most hard-hitting reports recently released by the United Nations to strengthen multilateralism to address a range of crises, and urges more robust Australian engagement with these processes.
Report
Revising down the rise of China
The authors of this report argue that China will likely experience a substantial long-term growth slowdown, owing to demographic decline, the limits of capital-intensive growth and a gradual deceleration in productivity growth.
Book
The geopolitics of climate and security in the Indo-Pacific
Climate change is much more than an environmental crisis—it’s a systemic crisis that will transform the geopolitical landscape. In this publication, leading experts explore the impacts of this rapidly emerging climate threat on regional systems by interrogating a 1.5°C 2035 climate change scenario developed by...
Briefing paper
What to expect from the Biden administration's Indo-Pacific strategy
This policy brief looks back at what has happened since President Obama first announced the 'pivot' to Asia ten years ago in Canberra. It also examines the emerging contours of Biden’s strategy in the Indo-Pacific, and outlines what outstanding questions have yet to be addressed.