The roller-coaster that is the Australia-Indonesia bilateral relationship is again plummeting.
Foreign affairs
China, Australia and Rio Tinto: economic/resource shadow war?
The arrest of ethnic Chinese and Australian citizen executives of Rio Tinto in Shanghai has crystallised the differences in the two countries’ economic culture and political systems, writes Tony Lamond.
Hu and 420 others: Aussies on the beermat
As the PM issues soundbites over China’s detention of Rio Tinto executive Stern Hu, Crikey thought it pertinent to cast an eye over other, less prominent, Australians languishing in overseas gulags.
China will do whatever it likes. Hu knew!
Kevin Rudd suddenly finds himself in the firing line for failing to meet Australians’ expectations about how we should be treated overseas. But, says Bernard Keane, Australia can’t control what the Chinese do.
Australians working in China are terrified
The arrest of the general manager for Rio Tinto’s iron ore operations in China has sent shockwaves through the expat community, reports Isabelle Oderberg.
What next for Australia-Malaysia relations?
Relationships between Australia and Malaysia were terse under former PM Mahathir Mohamad. Now that his son’s in a political position, will there be a return to old times? asks Greg Lopez.
Love and hate: Australia and Indonesia [PDF]
Australia’s relationship with Indonesia is not what it used to be. Howard Dick explains how this is both a good and bad thing.
What is Gillard’s Israel visit all about?
No one should be surprised at the news that the Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard is hot footing it to Israel, writes Peter Dowding.
Speaking the language of diplomacy
If only a quarter of our diplomats speak a language other than English, it is hard to see how our diplomatic service is being as effective as it could be, says Andrew Bartlett.
Crikey Says: Overseas Aussies can go it alone
Why do Australians assume they have a special right to be rescued from whatever trouble they get into while travelling overseas?
Asia will be China’s. Will we be prepared?
The Government’s looming defence White Paper will need to address the challenges of power shifts in Asia, writes Hugh White in a new Lowy Institute paper.
Taiwan, China and Israel dominate foreign travel of our MPs
When it comes to the influence of foreign governments on MPs and Senators, it isn’t China that we should be concerned about — it’s Taiwan, writes Bernard Keane.
All the Queen’s men: life after Dauth in DFAT
For Aussie diplomat John Dauth, the wheel of career fortune has turned full cirlce, writes a Special Correspondent.
US08: Primary the Musical!
If only the Democrat death match could be set to music … cue Guy Rundle.
