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I sincerely hope I’m wrong, but I increasingly feel like Trump’s choice on Iran may be the pivot point on which a viable US foreign policy for the next decade turns: a sustainable response to China, a rightsizing of US force posture overseas, avoiding overextension and crisis.

Yes, lots happening in the world, but still astounding how this long-running dispute sprung back into the headlines - through Hun Sen leaking the audio of his own phone call with the Thai PM, something the Thai military may have been happy for him to do so.

Now that we’re in the Day After, the key question on my mind is when and under what conditions we can shift attention and resources to the Indo-Pacific.

I have heard this view expressed privately before from Indian officials but saying it publicly like this is ... interesting diplomacy 🙃

This week, on the Intel, we asked "Should Australia double down on education support — if so, what would a 2030-ready investment look like?" 👉 The Lowy Institute's Susannah Patton 👉 Save the Children Australia's Caroline Dusabe 👉  The Lab’s Manh-Tien Bui Explore the responses:

Great to talk geopolitics and Australia’s interests - a mid-year conversation with Nick Bryant and Susannah Patton on ABC Radio National Saturday Extra today abc.net.au/listen/program…

The results of the 2025 The Lowy Institute poll suggest that Prime Minister Albanese could be much more forthcoming with Australians about our strategic circumstances. New from me in the Interpreter: lowyinstitute.org/the-interprete…

My colleague ⁦Susannah Patton⁩ calls for ⁦⁦Anthony Albanese⁩ to speak more plainly about Australia’s strategic circumstances and the challenge posed by China. Drawing on ⁦The Lowy Institute⁩ polling, she argues that Australians would welcome it. lowyinstitute.org/the-interprete…

Only Thailand would both reshuffle its Commerce Minister in the midst of tariff negotiations with the United States and reshuffle its Defence minister in the midst of a border crisis with Cambodia at the same time, leaving the latter position vacant... bangkokpost.com/thailand/polit…

"What is required is a willingness by the Prime Minister to speak more directly about Australia’s strategic circumstances, including the challenge posed by China, and the policy responses that are required to meet the moment." An excellent piece from Susannah Patton

We're proud to have been awarded a Maitri Grant by the Australian government to support the The Lowy Institute's first-ever India Chair. Applications are already open. You can find more information here: lowyinstitute.org/about/careers

Conceptual muddle or diplomatic masterstroke? Perhaps, Australia's conflict prevention agenda is both. My latest analysis of Australia's engagement with Southeast Asia in the Interpreter today: lowyinstitute.org/the-interprete…

This was a really fun event and a great discussion! Please tune in to the recording to learn more about Malaysia's foreign and domestic policy from three excellent experts.