(2022) Hong Kong’s Unforgettable Lee Cheuk-yan
Of course, everyone wants better relations with China.
(2021) Australian Labor and Palestine in 2021
I cannot imagine anyone in the ALP in 2021 who today does not hope for the emergence of a Palestinian state. How this outcome might occur is where differences emerge.
(2021) Human Rights, Self-Interest, and Foreign Policy
This paper helped refine my thinking on aspects of the old self-interest versus morality “debate”. Hopefully, when I get around to writing something interesting about Owen Harries, the preparation and discussion helps.
(2021) Understand Asia, Understand China: An Interview with William (Bill) Overholt
Slightly edited (for coherence) transcript of a Frank Talk discussion with Bill Overholt, Senior Research Fellow, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, and Michael Easson for the International Institute for Strategic Leadership Dialogue, on Saturday 27 March 2021 in Sydney and Friday 26 March 2021 in Boston.
(2020) A Challenge to Empty Minds: Obituary to Owen Harries
Owen Harries (1930-2020), foreign policy adviser, thinker, gadfly, editor, and advocate of the “national interest” realist tradition, died last week. His influence was profound in Australia and globally. He persuaded, stung, prodded those around him to think.
(2020) Joseph Schumpeter’s Economic Warning and Donald Trump
For seventy-five years, 1942–2017, Joseph Schumpeter’s fearful warning to Americans about the messy breakdown of capitalism and the political order fell short.
(2020) United Nations: Growing Influence or Growing Irrelevance
Thank you Albert Dadon, the Convenor of the Dialogue, for suggesting this Panel topic. Anyone involved in international politics, in diplomacy, has considered the role and potential of the United Nations.
(2020) China’s Ambition: How Far Can They Go?
Welcome, everyone. Today’s topic is much anticipated – China’s Ambition: How Far Can They Go? We are joined by a very distinguished panel – former Australian prime minister Tony Abbott; Business China CEO and Singapore MP Tin Pei Ling; Chair of the House of Commons Defence Select Committee, The Honourable Tobias Ellwood; security correspondent and famous Israeli journalist Yossi Melman; and University of Sydney and Hudson Institute academic, Dr. John Lee.
(2003) Statement on Labor’s Response to War
Four Labor elders – Michael Costello, Michael Easson, Bob Hogg and Jim Nolan – have asked for this statement to be circulated around the labour movement for comment.
(1995) The de Klerk Visit
A few people might have felt cheated at the recent lunches in honour of the Second Deputy President of South Africa and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, F.W. de Klerk.