The chance to reframe international engagement with Afghanistan
6 days ago · A reframing of international engagement in this critical moment should consider the following three elements. Firstly, the element of leadership and who asserts it matters. The absence of a US special envoy to Afghanistan presents a significant opportunity to recalibrate the leadership dynamics within the architecture of international engagement.
Penny Wong is quizzed about Trump, again, again and again
6 days ago · The PM has since spoken with Trump for a congratulatory phone call. But it was also striking how uniform the line of questioning was across the various interviews. Wong was asked each time about the fate of Kevin Rudd, for instance, given his past colourful descriptions of Trump as “nuts” and Trump saying he’d heard Rudd was a little bit ...
Fake kidnaps and real dangers of disinformation in Pacific Islands
6 days ago · Stories of kidnapping and/or abuse of children run by secret unknown actors or groups are commonly used by disinformation actors in different contexts to manufacture and expand hatred or prejudice against target groups. Hurting children is the ultimate abuse of power, and ignites two powerful emotions in motivating behaviour – fear and anger.