|
|
|
|
When Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited Canberra last week, he issued a stark warning. Canada and Australia are so tightly integrated with great powers such as the United States that it makes them extremely vulnerable if those ties are weaponised. “Middle powers have a choice: compete for favour or combine for strength,” he said.
But can Australia actually make itself less integrated with the US, militarily?
As part of our special series, After the Rupture, security expert John Blaxland says the US and Australia are so tightly bound on defence matters, this would be extremely difficult – if not impossible.
But, he adds, there are ways to mitigate the risks of overdependence. And Canada could play a role here, given the depth of possible engagement Carney touted during his visit last week.
Working closely with Canada could help Australia be a more confident, self-reliant regional leader when it comes to security. It could make us slightly less vulnerable to the whims of leaders like Donald Trump, as well.
|
|
Justin Bergman
International Affairs Editor
|
|
John Blaxland, Australian National University
Finding alternatives to the US would be expensive and time-consuming. But Australia can be a more confident, self-reliant leader in the region.
|
Oliver Alfred Guidetti, University of Wollongong
Online sleuths are on a mission to decode the massive Epstein file dump. The resulting chaos shows there’s a fine line between genuine clues and conspiracy.
|
Ken Purnell, CQUniversity Australia
While 9–3 seems normal, it's not necessarily what’s best for high school students as they grow.
|
Martie-Louise Verreynne, The University of Queensland
Leigh argues three forces underpin most innovation: tinkering, teamwork and trade. New ideas alone aren’t enough.
|
Hannah Dahlen, Western Sydney University; Hazel Keedle, Western Sydney University; Kingsley Emwinyore Agho, Western Sydney University
Most women give birth in public hospitals, seeing whichever midwife or doctor is rostered on. But research shows seeing the same person reduces a number of risks.
|
Ayesha Jehangir, UNSW Sydney
Silence would mean accepting and surrendering to the Taliban’s power, writes one of these authors. Theirs are the voices of resistance.
|
Samantha Hepburn, Deakin University
Soaring world crude oil prices have a direct impact at the bowser. Australia is not well insulated from price shocks.
|
Amin Naeni, Deakin University; Dublin City University
Most civilians in Iran have no idea when and where US and Israeli bombs will fall.
|
Politics + Society
|
-
Sara Meger, The University of Melbourne; Kate Reynolds, The University of Melbourne
An Australian study of anti-feminist attitudes shows up to 30% of boys surveyed expressed agreement with various forms of violent extremism.
-
Adrian Beaumont, The University of Melbourne
One of the Victorian polls has Labor ahead on primary votes, while the other says it’s the Liberals in the lead. In NSW, Labor is out in front.
-
Nathan Fioritti, Monash University
With the Liberals’ 2025 election review recently leaked, what does the Greens’ version reveal about the lessons they’ve taken from the federal poll?
-
Jennifer Parker, The University of Western Australia; UNSW Sydney
These rules have developed over centuries as states sought to regulate conflict at sea while still allowing navies to operate effectively.
-
Nicholas Ross Smith, University of Canterbury; Anna Christoforou, University of Canterbury
Canada’s Mark Carney is proposing a new alliance of ‘middle powers’ to offset over-reliance on the US and China. New Zealand would have good reason to be involved.
-
Sidney Wong, University of Otago; Andreea S. Calude, University of Waikato; Jesin James, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
The proposed English Language Bill assumes a problem. In reality, English dominates public life while many heritage languages struggle to survive.
|
|
Health + Medicine
|
-
David Duffy, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute; Nick Martin, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
The new study shows the number of moles on almost 4,000 children dropped by 47% between 1992 and 2016. But here’s what parents still need to watch for.
-
Clare Collins, University of Newcastle
Here’s how the claims about honey for specific injuries and diseases stack up to science.
|
|
Science + Technology
|
-
Sam Robinson, The University of Queensland
The discovery shines a light on what has, until now, been an underappreciated feature of evolution which suggests life is not so random after all.
|
|
|
|
|
No more talc powder
"Apart from J&J not using talc anymore, it's been at least two years since I've been able to buy any talcum powder. Some I learnt to use in the Army. We were issued with a particularly foul smelling product, called 'Foot and Body Powder', it was excellent for controlling tinea of all kinds. What now for all those serving, particularly in tropical and jungle conditions. It would be interesting to find out what levels of asbestos have been found in talcs. I do miss mine."
Barrie Verdin
Buddha’s teachings
"The article on wabi-sabi gives me a chuckle for its ability to elaborate on imperfection, impermanence, self-compassion, and acceptance without ever mentioning Buddhist Dhamma that has expounded and taught these practices for almost three thousand years."
Ang Ung 
Thanks Charles!
"The Conversation has been hitting some winners. The articles on Australia charting a new course given the US’s direction, the decline of the Victorian Division of the Liberal Party over time and the multipolar international order that is not what Russia expected, are all very good and insightful. I hope students of international relations and political science take note."
Charles Latimer
We'd love to hear from you. You can email us with your thoughts on our stories and each day we'll publish an edited selection.
|
| |
|
|
|
The Conversation AU/NZ
Melbourne Victoria, Australia
•
Full Time
|
|
|
|
|
Featured Events, Courses & Podcasts
|
View all
|
|
26 - 27 March 2026
•
Ultimo
|
|
|
|
| | | |
