Oceania | Council on Foreign Relations

Elections and Voting

Women This Week: Labor Candidate Ali France Ousts Incumbent Opposition Leader in Australia

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers April 3 to April 9.

by Noël James and Diya Mehta May 9, 2025 Women Around the World
Indo-Pacific

A Tale of Two Elections: Trump Casts Shadow Over Australia and Singapore

Incumbent parties in Australia and Singapore scored unexpected landslide victories on Saturday. A major factor appeared to be voters' trust that they were best equipped to handle President Donald Trump and his trade policies.

by Joshua Kurlantzick May 4, 2025
Southeast Asia

Why East Asia Is a Target of Trump’s Tariff War, in Six Charts

President Donald Trump’s proposed “reciprocal” tariff plan places some of the highest tariff levels on East Asian countries—many of which depend on U.S. markets to grow their economies.

by Joshua Kurlantzick April 30, 2025 Asia Program

Australia

Australia’s Upcoming Elections and the Trump Factor

Despite widespread dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s performance, the Labor Party is likely to win re-election in Australia due to political backlash against Donald Trump’s policies.

by Joshua Kurlantzick April 10, 2025 Asia Unbound
Women and Foreign Policy Program

Hybrid DC Roundtable: A Conversation With Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant

Virtual Event by Julie Inman Grant and Linda Robinson December 11, 2024 Women and Foreign Policy Program
Australia

Australia, New Zealand, and Israel: Elections Have (Good and Bad) Consequences

While New Zealand's new government has taken a harder line against terrorist groups in the Middle East, Australia's has instead taken a harder line against Israel.

by Elliott Abrams November 22, 2024 Pressure Points

Ukraine

U.S. ATACMS for Ukraine, COP29 Wraps Up, Cease-Fire Negotiations in Lebanon, and More

The White House authorized Ukraine to use U.S.-made, long-range army tactical missile systems (ATACMS) missiles to hit targets within Russian territory; the UN climate change conference (COP29) wraps up in Baku, Azerbaijan, where progress on climate finance has been notably slow; negotiations for a cease-fire continues in the Middle East, with hopes for an agreement between Israel and Hezbollah; and thousands protest for Māori rights throughout New Zealand.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins November 21, 2024 The World Next Week
Australia

How Australia is Responding to a Second Trump Term

President-elect Trump’s victory has jeopardized the Biden administration’s AUKUS defense partnership with Australia.

by Joshua Kurlantzick November 12, 2024 Asia Unbound
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

NATO’s Indo-Pacific Aspirations

As China, North Korea, and Russia move into closer alignment, members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization are concluding that European and Indo-Pacific security are not divisible.

by David Sacks October 10, 2024 Asia Unbound
Sexual Violence

Women This Week: UN Projects Climate Crisis will Increase Intimate Partner Violence Rates

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers September 7 to September 13.

by Noël James September 13, 2024 Women Around the World
Indo-Pacific

Guam’s Strategic Importance in the Indo-Pacific

The island’s proximity to Asia makes it a critical outpost for the U.S. military and a potential hub in the event of regional conflict.

by Clara Fong and Diana Roy September 6, 2024
Australia

Australia’s Growing Defense and Security Role in the Indo-Pacific

Australia’s first comprehensive national defense strategy comes as Chinese coercion around Taiwan and in the South China Sea sparks heightened concerns about Beijing’s intentions and ambitions in the region.

by Natalie Caloca August 1, 2024
Social Issues

Women This Week: Melinda Gates to Spend $1 Billion to Advance Women’s Issues

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers May 25 to May 31.

by Noël James May 31, 2024 Women Around the World
Sexual Violence

Women This Week: Reparations for Survivors of Sexual Violence in Ukraine

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers April 27 to May 3.

by Noël James May 3, 2024 Women Around the World
China

Review of Beijing Rules: How China Weaponized Its Economy to Confront the World

According to a new book by Axios reporter Bethany Allen, China has developed an authoritarian economic statecraft to reshape the global order.

by Abi McGowan November 14, 2023 Asia Unbound