Timor Leste, Australia, and the International Order
Evidence abounds that the international order created by the victors of World War II is under assault. Current leaders seem to believe that might does, in fact, make right. Hard power, it seems, is supreme. In fact, the long-discredited social-Darwinian pursuit of conquest, natural resources, and power again has a following. But occasionally, positive news breaks through the noise to sustain our faith in the system that has preserved great-power … Read More
New Paper Series: Maritime Dispute Resolution and the Future of the Asian Order
After years of tension and disagreement, negotiations over the Australia-Timor Leste maritime boundary line are drawing to a close. In September 2016, Canberra and Dili agreed to take part in a year-long conciliation process under the supervision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague. In so doing, both Asian democracies have demonstrated their willingness to uphold the extant rules-based system. Indeed, the law of the sea is one … Read More
The Trump Administration’s Mismanagement of the U.S. Alliance Portfolio: Picks of the Week
Trump Has Provocative Words for Allies: Congress Does Damage Control | The New York Times Germans Now Find US as Trustworthy as Russia: Poll Shows | The Independent British Lawmakers Tell Their PM: Your Groveling in Front Of Trump is Embarrassing | The Washington Post Can Jim Mattis Fix Asia? | Politico Magazine Mattis the Great, Mattis the Exploited? | War on the Rocks With NSC Shakeup, Bannon Gets a Seat at the Table … Read More