Articles by: Gavan McCormack

The current Japanese and Australian governments came into being in December 2012 and September 2013 respectively. Both are headed by conservative, neoliberal, climate-denialist, pro-American leaders, of similar age (Abe Shinzo was born in September 1954, Tony Abbott in November 1957), who quickly established a close rapport. Following their first meeting, at an ASEAN summit in October 2013, Abbott declared Abe Australia's 'best friend in Asia'. In meetings that followed, in Tokyo in April and Canberra…

Why Robert Manne's campaign against Burchett is wrong. Wilfred Burchett (1939-1983) is very likely the most vilified of all Australians. He endured much during his lifetime and his ghost has known no rest in the thirty years since then. The principal protagonist pitted against Australia's 'Public Enemy Number One' (as he became known) over these three decades has been the one commonly proclaimed Australia's 'Public Intellectual Number One', Robert Manne of La Trobe University.

The Obama administration 'pivots' to Asia, reinforcing its regional alliances and shoring up its hegemony. The Gillard government waltzes towards the Asian century, promising bliss and prosperity as Asia becomes the centre of the global economy. But neither the pivot nor the Asian century doctrines address the key question: how will the dominance of the region planned in Washington (and endorsed, explicitly or implicitly, by Canberra, Tokyo and other capitals) be reconciled with the emergence…

Just over a year and a half ago the 'North Korea problem' was on the brink of resolution. The Beijing parties had agreed that in return for North Korea disabling its facilities, readmitting international inspectors and declaring its nuclear facilities (for eventual demolition), partner countries would supply energy aid, relax sanctions and move towards full 'normalisation'. Shortly afterwards, the New York Philharmonic performed to delighted audiences in Pyongyang. North Korea did what was required of…