Little Green Drones ™

Australia’s decision to formally recognise the State of Palestine stands in contrast to Fiji’s move to double down on its support for Israel (which saw Suva open an embassy in Jerusalem this week) underscoring the range of potential wedge issues now shaping key Pacific relations. shorturl.at/BTsJJ

Putin providing the ideal (worrying) backdrop to @glandsbergis.bsky.social discussion with @gideonrachman.bsky.social on all things NATO, Ukraine and European security. Listen here: open.spotify.com/episode/25uJ...

New episode 🎙️ In conjunction with the European Parliament in ASEAN Stefania Benaglia joins @zsuzsettte.bsky.social and @richheydarian.bsky.social to discuss the recent SCO summit, focusing on India’s strategic role and evolving EU–ASEAN dynamics. Listen here 🎧 open.spotify.com/episode/6FCy...

In just 6 years the Solomon Islands has gone from key Taiwan ally to adopting China’s surveillance model including familiarising kids with surveillance drones, fingerprint and data collection. Few states illustrate the speed of Beijing’s expanding reach more clearly. www.rnz.co.nz/internationa...

Framing some undoubtedly violent protest as potential “terrorism” and "treason" risks shifting ordinary citizens from modest criminals and/or political actors to existential threats. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08...

It was a pleasure to speak to Hollie McKay for this piece @thecipherbrief.bsky.social on #Myanmar alongside the always stellar Derek Mitchell: www.thecipherbrief.com/myanmars-civ...

Once rare, now common. The normalisation of state violence in civic spaces is not only reshaping how Europe manages dissent but is also reinforcing perceptions of democratic decline. Each episode makes it harder for Europeans to call out authoritarianism anywhere.

Last year in Hiroshima, I stumbled on the exact spot where the world’s first atomic bomb exploded—now a profoundly ordinary street and home to apartments, businesses and a car park. In the wake of images from Gaza, an important reminder that recovery—though hard—is possible.

Future museums will see horrified visitors filing past carefully mounted copies of these reports: news.sky.com/story/more-t...

Nothing like digesting Europe’s politics after a trip to Berlin’s leading photography space to remember everyone’s just performing — some just happen to have better lighting.

Brings to mind Omar El Akkad’s chilling book title: One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This.

Grateful to @chathamhouse.org and panellists for this evening’s discussion on how the UK can build influence on the Korean Peninsula at a critical moment for European and Indo-Pacific security.

Warm London evening offset by some cool-headed analysis. Thanks to the #LSEFestival for hosting a fantastic discussion on the future of US-China relations with John Ikenberry, Rana Mitter, Peter Trubowitz and Nathalie Tocci.

Adding Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu—with tiny populations—to the travel ban list is a unforced error. These are critical frontline Indo-Pacific states and says Washington sees you as a problem, not a key strategic partner. Beijing 'wins' again without lifting a finger: www.rnz.co.nz/internationa...

The scramble to stand up VOA Farsi should be an urgent wake-up call about the importance of credible news in contested information spaces. Whatever damage has been done to US credibility in the Indo-Pacific, a return to 'normal service’ would be welcome and still a strategic 'win' for democracy.

3.5% shaping up to be the new "tens of thousands". Nevertheless, a positive step.

Hearing Hegseth talk of a possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan at #SLD25 took me back to my recent visit. It didn’t feel like Taiwan was ready — and I tried to capture why in this piece.

The May issue of The Navigator — out now. We track the India-Pakistan flare-up that revived nuclear fears — and the regional diplomacy that followed. Plus: how China and India are recasting foreign policy as a tool of domestic control. Read: buff.ly/K8rnagr Subscribe now!

Excellent thread.

Great episode of The Bridge @9dashline.com ft. Stephen Nagy in conversation with @zsuzsettte.bsky.social & @richheydarian.bsky.social talking about China’s diplomatic engagement in SE Asia: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

Ireland’s ‘Silicon Island’ strategy with billions in subsidies for Samsung and TSMC could see it as a critical node linking European tech autonomy to developments across the Indo-Pacific. Would force Dublin to address risks—i.e. cross-Strait tension, supply chain pressure, domestic security, etc.

Powerful op-ed from David Hearst. China’s position on the war means its going to be hard(er) for Asia’s Muslim democracies to maintain pro-Western alignment as images from Gaza further shape public opinion. Growing cries of hypocrisy will inevitably feed into foreign policy. buff.ly/8pHhUll

Not just a fund—it’s a signal. The EU is preparing for a long period of strategic competition and betting big on deterrence through debt.

People respond to what feels urgent. If the threat seems distant, the urgency to act will remain low. The challenge for Lai Ching-te’s administration is ensuring his citizens are ahead of the/any threat before it becomes a crisis—while maintaining a sense of normality.

Pressing questions for the international community. With several high-profile arrest warrants now active, how do you hold (ex)leaders accountable without — (a) Having justice being recast as foreign interference? (b) Turning them into martyrs?

Beautiful day in the Principality.

“If it turns out that India lost a French jet to a Chinese missile fired from over 100km away, then that need is clearly urgent.” Lessons for everyone. www.ft.com/content/ff46...

Life in Taiwan feels remarkably normal. And that might be the real danger. I’ve tried to capture some thoughts after a recent visit. Read here: buff.ly/ZOMUTxm

Among the most important of all annual rankings. Some very interesting positions.

Thanks to Niall McCabe for a fantastic show and a great cover of Paul Brady's The Island.

Not just China hawks. Both Waltz and Wong were largely viewed as competent, rational actors and voices of reason within an administration of loyalists. With these two removed, Trump has fewer qualified national security experts giving him advice on a range of global crises.

"Israel has closed all crossings and it has turned Rafah itself, once a refuge for almost 1.5 million displaced Palestinians into a post-apocalyptic wasteland"

Not principally about tariffs—difficult to maintain a constructive long term relationship with someone whose core belief means they are likely to perceive any willingness to negotiate as proof they were being targeted. Everyone loses by reinforcing that assumption and emboldening action elsewhere.

"Despite the opportunity presented by American retrenchment, China lacks the soft power to step in as a natural leader and its economic and political influence continue to be met with suspicion by regional elites" buff.ly/DmHoDCQ | by @hmarston.bsky.social

Great question.

The Pope's passing amid rising global tensions means the Catholic Church faces a crossroads. The Philippines—home to Asia’s largest Catholic population—is fast emerging as a contender in the guise of Luis Tagle. The next Pope could well mark a historic moment in (south)East-West relations.

Fascinating visit to Kinmen. Despite recent incursions and its larger size compared to Matsu, it shares a profoundly normal, everyday feel—which makes encountering installations like this propaganda loudspeaker a particularly jarring experience.

Taipei backdrop 101

"The Trump admin is embarking on an economic equivalent of the Vietnam War—a war of choice that will soon result in a quagmire, undermining faith at home and abroad in both the trustworthiness and the competence of the US—and we all know how that turned out.." www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...

New episode 🎙️ In collaboration with the EPinASEAN This month Kristina Kironska joins @zsuzsettte.bsky.social and @richheydarian.bsky.social where they discuss: • Thailand-Myanmar earthquake • Rodrigo Duterte’s ICC arrest • Threats to press freedom and RFA budget cuts Listen now: buff.ly/gj5q7Bc

27yrs ago the Good Friday Agreement brought peace to Northern Ireland—thanks to US diplomacy and people like George Mitchell. The Troubles were the backdrop to our childhood and amid today's chaos this anniversary is an important reminder of what American leadership can deliver. buff.ly/zir3ftH

Today's earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand didn’t just destroy buildings and lives—it’s exposing the critical role of reliable info in crises, and the fragility of our news ecosystem. Radio Free Asia long provided vital in-country reporting. Question now is who fills that gap in the next disaster.

Waking up to major disruption at Heathrow after a thus far unexplained fire at a local electrical substation. Whatever the cause—yet another—reminder of the urgent need to secure our critical infrastructure. And in a completely separate incident from yesterday’s news: buff.ly/5EtOZT8

Europe's defence revolution continues at pace. The UK, France, Germany, and Nordic nations are planning a 5-10 year shift to reduce reliance on the US within NATO. If Europe must stand alone it’s better we start asap—any Article 5 doubts need to be clarified immediately: buff.ly/8X4OSzI

Important question at tonight's #LSEevents: If Trump lifts US sanctions on Russia, could Europe withstand the inevitable pressure from its own business community—while avoiding yet further fragmentation.

Phase 2 of Pillar 1 was always intended to be the RAN undersea capability gap filler - here's why. www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

Thanks to @kasiamadera.bsky.social for steering this fascinating discussion with @suneengel.bsky.social, @scribblercat.bsky.social and Nina dos Santos on US disengagement from Europe and NATO. Thanks also to Trump-Putin for unintentionally providing the 'ideal' backdrop to this long-planned event..

Europe must decide—does it stand for access to reliable news and info, or let key voices disappear. Supporting Radio Free Europe isn’t charity; it would be a strategic investment in truth, a stronger information space, and the defense of democratic values against authoritarian influence.

On St. Patrick's Day, take two and a half moons to celebrate the importance of language and culture: buff.ly/utLVFJ1