Contest for Pacific influence shows no sign of slowing
As Australia and the US look to increase their standing with Pacific nations, there are growing concerns Chinese security deals could destabilise the region.
international relations
US to help Australia build guided missiles by 2025
The United States is "racing" to accelerate Australia's access to priority military weapons and will help the local production of guided missiles.
US’s Blinken calls for ousted Niger president’s release
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in Australia for high-level talks, has called for the immediate release of ousted Niger President Mohamed Bazoum.
US bond watertight as PM hoses down cracks in subs deal
Anthony Albanese has watered down concerns cracks may emerge in the AUKUS partnership as a group of US Republicans criticise the deal in Congress.
Closer defence, easier travel on trans-Tasman agenda
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has been playing host to Anthony Albanese for two days in Wellington.
Trans-Tasman leaders eye easier movement after NZ talks
Anthony Albanese has landed in New Zealand for a two-day visit to discuss regional security, trade and football with counterpart Chris Hipkins.
Imprisoned former US navy pilot’s fate remains in limbo
Former US Marines pilot Daniel Duggan will remain in an Australian prison for at least a few more months ahead of findings that could prevent his extradition.
Chinese ships set to monitor military drills off coast
As Talisman Sabre exercises are held off the Australian coast, Chinese ships are expected to be monitoring the multinational military drills.
Chinese spy ships eye naval drills off Australian coast
As Talisman Sabre exercises are held off Australia's coastline, Chinese ships will monitor the multinational military drill.
Albanese to arrive in Berlin ahead of key NATO talks
Anthony Albanese will meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin on the first leg of the prime minister's three-day trip to Europe for the NATO summit.
Albanese lands in Berlin, unveils $1b defence deal
Anthony Albanese will meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin on the first leg of the prime minister's three-day trip to Europe for the NATO summit.
China, Solomon Islands announce strategic partnership
A plan for police co-operation between the Solomon Islands and China were among the agreements signed by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in Beijing.
Australia sends RAAF aircraft to assist Ukraine efforts
Australia will assist Ukraine by sending a Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail aircraft to help protect logistics hubs within European airspace.
Albanese lays down EU trade deal bottom line
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese insists he won't sign a European Union trade agreement without improved access to the common market for Australian farmers.
NATO head eyes ‘strong message’ on Ukraine membership
NATO allies will make clear at their summit in Vilnius how Ukraine can become a member of the alliance in the future, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says.
Aussie democracy activist Kham freed from Vietnam jail
Chau Van Kham, a retired baker and pro-democracy activist from Sydney, has been released after spending four years in jail in Vietnam.
Albanese lays down the bottom line for EU trade deal
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese insists he won't sign a European Union trade agreement without improved access to the common market for Australian farmers.
Lack of NATO timetable for Ukraine ‘absurd’: Zelenskiy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has criticised the absence of a timetable for his country's bid to join NATO as "unprecedented and absurd".
Activist to break silence after Vietnam jail release
Chau Van Kham will speak about his four years inside a prison in Vietnam following his release and return to Australia.
Vietnamese democracy activist grateful after release
During his four years in a Vietnamese prison Chau Van Kham was buoyed by supporters in Australia, who he knew would never stop advocating for his release.
Freed democracy activist knew family would not give up
As retired Sydney baker Chau Van Kham passed time watching lizards in a Vietnamese prison, he knew people back home were fighting tirelessly for his release.
Australia told to call out China corruption in Pacific
Western nations need to boost intelligence gathering in the Pacific and expose Chinese corruption to protect democracy in the region, a leading academic says.
New Zealand pushes back on Pacific-wide free movement
Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni says New Zealand is currently unable to consider pleas from the Pacific for free movement in the region.
Australia to ease visa rules to boost Indonesian ties
Visa rules have been loosened for Indonesian business travellers, following talks between Anthony Albanese and Joko Widodo in Sydney.
Citizenship door opens for Kiwis in Australia
New Zealanders living in Australia have plenty of reasons to take up pathways to citizenship; including job opportunities, disability support, or to vote.
Ghost flight accompanies New Zealand PM to China
A second, unused New Zealand Royal Air Force plane has shadowed Chris Hipkins to Asia to ensure the visiting Kiwi Prime Minister and delegation to China.
China lashes back as Biden labels Xi a ‘dictator’
US President Joe Biden's inflammatory comments calling his Chinese counterpart a "dictator" have been blasted by China and Russia.
Taiwan war would dwarf Ukraine conflict, says Morrison
As a new poll shows Australians remain concerned about China in the region amid rising tensions, Scott Morrison has again entered the debate.
Xi, Blinken agree to stabilise US-China relations
Both US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese President Xi Jinping said their talks showed 'progress' and a desire to stabilise relations.
Blinken to meet Xi during pivotal China trip
There are hopes US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping will help facilitate a meeting with President Joe Biden.
NZ PM Hipkins to meet Chinese president Xi
A New Zealand delegation of political and business leaders will depart for China on Sunday, with Prime Minister Chris Hipkins to meet with President Xi Jinping.