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By John Rennie Short, Professor Emeritus of Public Policy, University of Maryland, Baltimore County On Sept. 3, 2025, China celebrated the 80th anniversary of its victory over Japan by staging a carefully choreographed event in which 26 world leaders were offered a podium view of Beijing’s impressive military might. The show of strength was deliberate … Continue reading “A new world order isn’t coming, it’s already here − and this is what it looks like”
By Chris Ogden, Associate Professor in Global Studies, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau With the old global order in a heightened state of flux, driven by US President Donald Trump’s attacks on free trade, international organisations and human rights, small states like New Zealand are having to adjust their foreign policies and hedge their … Continue reading “As the world order shifts, NZ should ‘spread its diplomatic wings’ and look at joining BRICS”
By Spyros A. Sofos, Assistant Professor in Global Humanities, Simon Fraser University The bombing of a Hamas office on Qatari soil by Israeli jets was more than a strike against a militant group. It was a bold and deeply consequential act against a state that has long positioned itself as a mediator in Middle Eastern … Continue reading “How Israel’s attack on Qatar erodes peace — and American influence — in the Middle East”
By Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, Fellow for the Middle East at the Baker Institute, Rice University The Israeli airstrike targeting senior Hamas political leaders in Qatar on Sept. 9, 2025, represents the crossing of a number of lines. Resulting in the deaths of six people but seemingly failing to kill any members of Hamas’ leadership, the … Continue reading “Israeli strike in Doha crosses a new line from which relations with Gulf may not recover”
By Shannon Bosch, Associate Professor (Law), Edith Cowan University Israel launched a targeted airstrike on the Hamas leadership in Doha, the capital of Qatar, on Tuesday. Six people were reported killed, including the son of a senior Hamas figure. Global condemnation was swift. The Qatari government called the strike a “clear breach of the rules … Continue reading “Can Israel use self-defence to justify its strike on Qatar under the law?”
By Jean-Pierre Scheerlinck, Honorary Professor Fellow, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne For decades, beekeepers have fought a tiny parasite called Varroa destructor, which has devastated honey-bee colonies around the world. But an even deadlier mite, Tropilaelaps mercedesae – or “tropi” – is on the march. Beekeepers fear it will wreak … Continue reading “Deadlier than varroa, a new honey-bee parasite is spreading around the world”
By David Mednicoff, Associate Professor of Middle Eastern Studies and Public Policy, UMass Amherst The oil-rich states of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have a lot going for them: wealth, domestic stability and growing global influence. In recent months, these Gulf kingdoms also appear closer to something they have long sought: reliable … Continue reading “They remain hostage to events”
By Scott Lucas, Professor of International Politics, Clinton Institute, University College Dublin Israel launched an unprecedented airstrike on the Qatari capital of Doha on September 9, the first time it has directly attacked a Gulf state. The “precision strike”, as Israel has called it, targeted a building in which Hamas officials were reportedly discussing a … Continue reading “Middle East leaders condemn Israel’s attack on Qatar as Netanyahu ends all talk of Gaza ceasefire – expert Q&A”
By Scott Lucas, Professor of International Politics, Clinton Institute, University College Dublin Israel launched an unprecedented airstrike on the Qatari capital of Doha on September 9, the first time it has directly attacked a Gulf state. The “precision strike” as Israel has called it, targeted a building in which Hamas officials were reportedly discussing a … Continue reading “Middle East holds its breath after Israel launches attack on Qatar: expert Q&A”
We tracked every overseas trip by world leaders since the end of the Cold War – here’s what we found
By Kylie McKee, Project Manager & Research Associate, University of Denver Donald Trump’s return to the White House has so far seen the U.S. president travel to foreign lands to sign billion-dollar deals, attend lavish royal welcomes and attempt to forge elusive peace agreements amid conflicts and crises. And on Sept. 17, 2025, he is … Continue reading “We tracked every overseas trip by world leaders since the end of the Cold War – here’s what we found”