This Month
Talks sanction more US bombers, fighter jets, spy planes in Australia
Annual defence and foreign affairs talks will see Australia deepen its role as the US’s “unsinkable aircraft carrier” in a potential conflict with China.
- Andrew Tillett and Matthew Cranston
- Exclusive
- Russia-Ukraine war
Australian ambassador shared work space with TikTok and a dog trainer
Australia’s ambassador to Ukraine worked out of a WeWork building in Warsaw amid fears Russian missile attacks make it too unsafe to go back to Kyiv.
- Andrew Tillett
Aid workers still at risk after Australian’s death: report
A former military chief says Israel should formally apologise and offer compensation to victims of bungled drone strike after serious failures by soldiers.
- Andrew Tillett
- Analysis
- North Korea diplomacy
On the front line of North Korea’s nuclear threat
The possibility of another Trump presidency has global leaders nervous about Kim Jong-un’s erratic behaviour. Would a second mandate tame or embolden “little rocket man”.
- Updated
- Jessica Sier
July
Wong calls on China to rein in North Korea
The foreign minister acknowledged that countries all around Asia are beefing up their defence capabilities in response to China’s dramatic military expansion.
- Staff reporters
Australia doubles down on its subsea cable diplomacy in South Pacific
The rollout of undersea cables has become a major focus of the strategic competition between Western nations and China to gain influence in the Pacific.
- Updated
- Staff
Australia sanctions Israeli settlers for human rights abuses
The Albanese government has escalated its discontent with Israel in a move it says will help preserve prospects for a two-state peace deal solution.
- Updated
- Andrew Tillett
- Exclusive
- China relations
New ‘alliance’ calls out China’s bad cyber behaviour
Months of behind-the-scenes work helped convince Japan and South Korea to join an Australian-led statement slamming China over cyberattacks.
- Andrew Tillett
- Exclusive
- AUKUS
Revealed: Turnbull’s Paris option to revive French subs deal
Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull paved the way for Australia to renegotiate the French submarine contract when Labor came to power, but there was silence from the new government.
- James Curran
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Where do Australia’s China ties go after hack?
The public outing only raises the question of where Australia takes the matter from here, and what it expects China to do.
- The AFR View
Who are the Chinese hackers named by Australia?
They are based in China’s south and have allegedly operated via a front company called the Hainan Xiandun Technology Development Co.
- Nick Bonyhady
Labor under pressure to confront China over hacking
The government is under pressure to confront Beijing after its main counterintelligence agency named a hacking group linked to China’s Ministry of State Security.
- Updated
- Tom McIlroy and Nick Bonyhady
Lebanon evacuation plans under way as Hezbollah menaces Israeli border
A stern warning to Israel’s ambassador not to escalate the war was delivered with the safety of up to 20,000 Australians in Lebanon in mind.
- Andrew Tillett
June
The secret breakthroughs that freed Assange
Legal proceedings against the notorious whistleblower ended after a long and delicate fight in the highest offices on three continents.
- Andrew Tillett
- Opinion
- Canberra Observed
Payman has crossed Labor’s tribal caucus comrades
Unlike the West Australian senator who gifted the Greens a propaganda victory, Penny Wong stayed in the tent and effected change from within on same-sex marriages.
- Phillip Coorey
Wong scolds Payman as factions consider a stiffer penalty
Labor MPs are entitled to be angry at Senator Fatima Payman’s disregard for caucus solidarity, the foreign minister says.
- Phillip Coorey
Political row erupts over ‘hero’s welcome’ for Assange
The opposition says it is inappropriate for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to have spoken to Julian Assange after Assange’s arrival in Canberra on Wednesday.
- Andrew Tillett
Labor senator Fatima Payman crosses the floor over Palestine
The first-term Labor senator has avoided expulsion from the ALP after voting with the Greens to recognise Palestinian statehood.
- Tom McIlroy
Australia urged to list Iran’s enforcers as terror group
Canada’s designation of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corp as a terrorist group has put pressure on the Albanese government to follow suit.
- Andrew Tillett
As China’s premier leaves, Australia launches full court press in PNG
The Albanese government will help PNG with domestic security as it tries to ward off Chinese efforts to gain influence in Australia’s closest neighbour.
- Andrew Tillett
