Australia is a destination country for trafficked victims, particularly women from Southeast Asia, who are coerced into moving to Australia under the belief they will obtain better working conditions upon arrival. However, once in the country, these women are often forced into modern slavery in the sex industry to repay traffickers’ exaggerated fees.
Read More »Asia and Pacific
House of Lords publishes report on Afghanistan, heavily citing HSC evidence
The House of Lords International Relations and Defence Committee has published its report on its inquiry into the UK’s policy in Afghanistan. The Human Security Centre submission provided extensive analysis and featured in 7 recommendations.
Read More »Japan: a master of soft balancing?
Despite the storm of attention generated by the regeneration of Japan's hard power capabilities under Shinzo Abe, the concept of 'soft balancing' may provide a better theoretical approach to understanding Japan's approach to international relations
Read More »A frozen flashpoint: how will the Kuril Islands dispute affect Russo-Japanese relations following Suga’s election?
There has been extensive discussion of the challenges faced by Japan’s new Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. One major issue facing Suga which has not been analysed in depth is the ongoing territorial dispute between Russia and Japan concerning the ownership of the southern Kuril Islands.
Read More »The Legal Status of Nuclear Disarmament following the Nuclear Arms Race Cases
In 2014, the Marshall Islands (RMI) attempted, unsuccessfully, to use International Law to compel States to disarm their nuclear capacities. With the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons set to enter into force in January 2021, the RMI’s earlier attempt to have States’ legal obligations clarified is relevant to the discussion on the legal status of nuclear disarmament in International Law.
Read More »The Rise of Suga: Prospects and Problems for Japan’s New Prime Minister
Shinzo Abe has caused a significant commotion recently with his resignation. What has perhaps caused just as much of a disturbance is the election of his successor, a veteran LDP politician of more humble origins by the name of Yoshihide Suga.
Read More »Resolving the Rohingya Crisis: Chapter VI of the Charter of the United Nations as a way forward
As the United Nations Security Council’s mandate under Chapter VI of the Charter of the United Nations is to maintain international peace and security, it has a responsibility to act to resolve the crisis. The possibility of conflict with Bangladesh and the threat of COVID-19 to the refugees illustrates that this crisis is a serious threat to international peace.
Read More »“Not only a dear friend, but also a brother”: Sino-Serbian relations in times of East-West tensions
Much like the ties with Russia, close relations with China are seen by the Serbian President as a means to pressure the West into increased involvement – a strategy that appears not without its successes.
Read More »Emergency relief as a geo-political power tool: Examining the International Military Support to the Australia’s Operation Bushfire Assist
The bushfires which rampaged across parts of southeastern Australia were finally extinguished at the end of February, after more than 240 days of blazing across New South Wales.
Read More »The International Military Support to the Australian Defence Force’s Operation Bushfire Assist
Through Operation Bushfire Assist, Australia and its partners continue to develop interoperability, a crucial feat which will be called upon to face future challenges in the South Pacific region.
Read More »