Interpreter | The Interpreter

Published daily by the Lowy Institute

Latest

Stay informed with the latest analysis & commentary on international events from our experts around the world.

Featured

Erin Hurley

In Democratic debate, big distinctions but little difference

Michael Sainsbury

What Xi wants in Myanmar may not be what he gets

Nick Aspinwall

Taiwan voters reject Beijing, but not populism

Explore

See All Articles →

Carlisle Richardson 17 Jan 2020 16:00

At the UN, paying dues and having a say

Financing the world body is complicated and contentious. Losing the right to vote can be a calamity.
Erin Hurley 17 Jan 2020 12:41

In Democratic debate, big distinctions but little difference

In the final debate among US presidential candidates before primaries begin, foreign policy took a rare front seat.
Alasdair Nicholson 17 Jan 2020 06:00

Book review: Where Power Stops

Replete with wry observations, this quick read will appeal to political insiders – and so achieves less as a result.
Shirley Ze Yu 16 Jan 2020 16:30

Deng’s pragmatism is China’s poison pill

Having allowed the ends to justify the means, moral challenges subsume China, and Xi’s cure is orthodox communism.
Greg Earl 16 Jan 2020 14:00

Economic diplomacy: Two big-C issues

China and climate change are new realities both putting Australia to the test.
Michael Sainsbury 16 Jan 2020 12:00

What Xi wants in Myanmar may not be what he gets

China is making huge investments in its Southeast Asian neighbour, but peace will cost more than that.
Victor Abramowicz 16 Jan 2020 07:00

The impact of accuracy

Iran’s demonstration in last’s week strike at US bases will have effects around the world.
Nick Aspinwall 15 Jan 2020 17:00

Taiwan voters reject Beijing, but not populism

Tsai Ing-wen’s party used fear of Beijing to see off a weak opponent. She’ll have much to prove during her second term.
Milton Osborne 15 Jan 2020 14:00

Another dam on the Mekong

In the face of environmental destruction and threats to livelihoods, a new dam project is being pushed through in Laos.

See All Articles →

Long Reads

The absurdity shaping Taiwan’s presidential elections

Natasha Kassam

The country that isn’t a country might one day reunify with the PRC, of which it was never a part. That’s just a start.
We’ve already had Our Very Own Brexit

Nicholas Gruen

Instead of munching popcorn at the political theatre, citizens’ assemblies would give the community a chance to reflect.
In conversation: Malaysia’s Foreign Minister on great power rivalry

Ben Bland

From the South China Sea to the Rohingya crisis, Saifuddin Abdullah speaks to Lowy’s Ben Bland on Asia’s big challenges.

Most Popular

Mustafa Izzuddin 13 Jan 2020 14:00

India has left RCEP behind, but not its ambition in Southeast Asia

Withdrawing from a mega-regional trade deal is a setback, but New Delhi has other ways of enhancing regional engagement.
Mark O'Neill 13 Jan 2020 06:00

Australia’s new strategic geography

The “sea-air gap” has collapsed amid the proliferation of technologies that are agnostic about distance and domain.
Wu Shang-Su 15 Jan 2020 06:00

Belt and rail: New Vietnam-China train aims to put relations on track

Updating a colonial legacy railway might offer more than a smoother connection between sometimes tense neighbours.
Erin Hurley 13 Jan 2020 11:00

Trump walks away clean from Soleimani fallout

Doubts over legality and intelligence (and impeachment) didn't keep the US president from claiming a big win.
Xueyin Zha 14 Jan 2020 06:00

The Australian lag in tech policy

As European regulators catch up with the digital economy, their Aussie counterparts seem nothing but laid-back.
Nick Aspinwall 15 Jan 2020 17:00

Taiwan voters reject Beijing, but not populism

Tsai Ing-wen’s party used fear of Beijing to see off a weak opponent. She’ll have much to prove during her second term.

Thread

Favourites of 2019

View All Debates →

View All Debates →