The Lowy Institute
@lowyinstitute.bsky.social
The Lowy Institute is a leading international think tank that looks at the world from Australia’s perspective.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/
“Japan faces a paradox: while its demographic and economic challenges require immigrants, social pressures compel the…” Read Peter Chai in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/don-t-believe-everything-you-read-media-about-japan-s-strong-anti-immigrant
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/don-t-believe-everything-you-read-media-about-japan-s-strong-anti-immigrant
Don’t believe everything you read in the media about Japan’s strong anti-immigrant sentiment
Social pressure pushes people to sound tougher on immigrants than they feel.
www.lowyinstitute.org
November 26, 2025 at 4:07 PM
“Japan faces a paradox: while its demographic and economic challenges require immigrants, social pressures compel the…” Read Peter Chai in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/don-t-believe-everything-you-read-media-about-japan-s-strong-anti-immigrant
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/don-t-believe-everything-you-read-media-about-japan-s-strong-anti-immigrant
“Arbitrary arrests, torture, and verbal abuse laced with ethnic and sectarian slurs turn the…” Read William Maley and Niamatullah Ibrahimi in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/australia-s-deep-concern-multilayered-persecution-afghanistan-s-hazaras
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/australia-s-deep-concern-multilayered-persecution-afghanistan-s-hazaras
Australia’s “deep concern” at multilayered persecution of Afghanistan’s Hazaras
A parliamentary motion highlights systematic violence against a community facing ethnic, religious and gender-based repression.
www.lowyinstitute.org
November 26, 2025 at 2:37 AM
“Arbitrary arrests, torture, and verbal abuse laced with ethnic and sectarian slurs turn the…” Read William Maley and Niamatullah Ibrahimi in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/australia-s-deep-concern-multilayered-persecution-afghanistan-s-hazaras
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/australia-s-deep-concern-multilayered-persecution-afghanistan-s-hazaras
“The Quad is offering a simple idea: a three-month ceasefire to get humanitarian aid to civilians, followed by nine months of political negotiations,” writes Matteo Boccia in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/sudan-s-civil-war-spills-well-beyond-battlefield
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/sudan-s-civil-war-spills-well-beyond-battlefield
Sudan’s civil war spills well beyond the battlefield
Washington’s sanctions and Tehran’s expanding reach are exposing deeper power struggles and ideological networks.
www.lowyinstitute.org
November 26, 2025 at 12:28 AM
“The Quad is offering a simple idea: a three-month ceasefire to get humanitarian aid to civilians, followed by nine months of political negotiations,” writes Matteo Boccia in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/sudan-s-civil-war-spills-well-beyond-battlefield
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/sudan-s-civil-war-spills-well-beyond-battlefield
“Australia must choose the kind of climate leadership it wants to project,” writes Alexandre Dayant in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/redirecting-cop31-funds-could-deliver-australia-s-most-important-climate
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/redirecting-cop31-funds-could-deliver-australia-s-most-important-climate
Redirecting COP31 funds could deliver Australia’s most important climate contribution yet
The $1 billion saved from not hosting could deliver more impact through Pacific infrastructure than any summit.
www.lowyinstitute.org
November 25, 2025 at 11:06 PM
“Australia must choose the kind of climate leadership it wants to project,” writes Alexandre Dayant in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/redirecting-cop31-funds-could-deliver-australia-s-most-important-climate
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/redirecting-cop31-funds-could-deliver-australia-s-most-important-climate
“ Services taken for granted elsewhere, such as bank branches, ATMs, foreign-exchange dealers and even the ability to open an account…” Read Monique Taylor in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/stablecoins-universal-basic-income-pacific-islands-model
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/stablecoins-universal-basic-income-pacific-islands-model
Stablecoins for a universal basic income: The Pacific Islands model
Digital payment systems are emerging as a substitute for inadequate regional banking infrastructure.
www.lowyinstitute.org
November 25, 2025 at 4:07 PM
“ Services taken for granted elsewhere, such as bank branches, ATMs, foreign-exchange dealers and even the ability to open an account…” Read Monique Taylor in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/stablecoins-universal-basic-income-pacific-islands-model
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/stablecoins-universal-basic-income-pacific-islands-model
“Tangled diplomatic ‘process’ and endless communiqué-finessing can obstruct peace more than advance the cause,” writes Daniel Flitton in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/america-age-envoy
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/america-age-envoy
America in the age of the envoy
A new emphasis in diplomacy isn’t all downside.
www.lowyinstitute.org
November 25, 2025 at 1:34 AM
“Tangled diplomatic ‘process’ and endless communiqué-finessing can obstruct peace more than advance the cause,” writes Daniel Flitton in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/america-age-envoy
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/america-age-envoy
“Routes and nodes that were once quiet cost centres are now vulnerability hotspots,” writes Apoorba Banerjee in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/southeast-asian-manufacturing-no-longer-immune-geopolitics
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/southeast-asian-manufacturing-no-longer-immune-geopolitics
Southeast Asian manufacturing: No longer immune from geopolitics
The region’s industrial sector must adapt in a new climate of supply-chain weaponisation.
www.lowyinstitute.org
November 25, 2025 at 12:26 AM
“Routes and nodes that were once quiet cost centres are now vulnerability hotspots,” writes Apoorba Banerjee in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/southeast-asian-manufacturing-no-longer-immune-geopolitics
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/southeast-asian-manufacturing-no-longer-immune-geopolitics
“Routes and nodes that were once quiet cost centres are now vulnerability hotspots,” writes Apoorba Banerjee in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/southeast-asian-manufacturing-no-longer-immune-geopolitics
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/southeast-asian-manufacturing-no-longer-immune-geopolitics
Southeast Asian manufacturing: No longer immune from geopolitics
The region’s industrial sector must adapt in a new climate of supply-chain weaponisation.
www.lowyinstitute.org
November 24, 2025 at 11:06 PM
“Routes and nodes that were once quiet cost centres are now vulnerability hotspots,” writes Apoorba Banerjee in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/southeast-asian-manufacturing-no-longer-immune-geopolitics
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/southeast-asian-manufacturing-no-longer-immune-geopolitics
“Even with investment into renewables now twice that of fossil fuels, the world is not decarbonising fast enough,” write Robert Walker and Georgia Hammersley in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/world-proves-thirstier-ever-energy
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/world-proves-thirstier-ever-energy
The world proves thirstier than ever for energy
But the Trump administration is trying – and failing – to play a spoiler role while China focuses on the long game.
www.lowyinstitute.org
November 24, 2025 at 4:07 PM
“Even with investment into renewables now twice that of fossil fuels, the world is not decarbonising fast enough,” write Robert Walker and Georgia Hammersley in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/world-proves-thirstier-ever-energy
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/world-proves-thirstier-ever-energy
“When US or European firms shed workers, the ripple effects hit supply chains in Asia, service centres in Africa, and contractors in Latin America,” writes Niusha Shafiabady in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/ai-didn-t-fire-you-board-did
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/ai-didn-t-fire-you-board-did
AI didn’t fire you. The board did
From Silicon Valley to Shanghai, the new excuse for redundancy has ripple effects everywhere.
www.lowyinstitute.org
November 24, 2025 at 1:35 AM
“When US or European firms shed workers, the ripple effects hit supply chains in Asia, service centres in Africa, and contractors in Latin America,” writes Niusha Shafiabady in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/ai-didn-t-fire-you-board-did
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/ai-didn-t-fire-you-board-did
“India’s significance in the eyes of the present US administration has seemingly diminished,” writes Shanthie Mariet D’Souza in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/modi-courts-putin-eye-trump-s-disapproval
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/modi-courts-putin-eye-trump-s-disapproval
Modi courts Putin with an eye on Trump’s disapproval
Strategic autonomy worked when Washington was indulgent. Now India must choose what matters more.
www.lowyinstitute.org
November 23, 2025 at 11:06 PM
“India’s significance in the eyes of the present US administration has seemingly diminished,” writes Shanthie Mariet D’Souza in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/modi-courts-putin-eye-trump-s-disapproval
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/modi-courts-putin-eye-trump-s-disapproval
“The dilemma of using a missile costing up to a million dollars to destroy a $5,000 drone is on the verge of resolution,” writes R. N. Prasher in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/cheap-weapons-reshape-character-war
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/cheap-weapons-reshape-character-war
Cheap weapons reshape the character of war
Railguns, nuclear-powered missiles and laser weapons could make sustained conflict more affordable.
www.lowyinstitute.org
November 23, 2025 at 4:06 PM
“The dilemma of using a missile costing up to a million dollars to destroy a $5,000 drone is on the verge of resolution,” writes R. N. Prasher in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/cheap-weapons-reshape-character-war
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/cheap-weapons-reshape-character-war
“These initiatives are driven not by hard power but by capability building and resilience, and as a direct response to the region’s evolving needs,” writes Lisa Singh in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/quiet-strength-regional-friends-pitch-issues-based-coalitions
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/quiet-strength-regional-friends-pitch-issues-based-coalitions
Quiet strength? Regional friends pitch for issues-based coalitions
From the Quad to trilateral arrangements, purpose-driven partnerships are delivering where multilateral institutions struggle.
www.lowyinstitute.org
November 21, 2025 at 3:25 AM
“These initiatives are driven not by hard power but by capability building and resilience, and as a direct response to the region’s evolving needs,” writes Lisa Singh in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/quiet-strength-regional-friends-pitch-issues-based-coalitions
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/quiet-strength-regional-friends-pitch-issues-based-coalitions
“A new book examines Russia's decade-long engagement with the region and finds more rhetoric than real influence” Read Georgi Engelbrecht in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/great-aspirations-examining-russia-s-role-southeast-asia
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/great-aspirations-examining-russia-s-role-southeast-asia
Great aspirations? Examining Russia’s role in Southeast Asia
A new book examines Russia's decade-long engagement with the region and finds more rhetoric than real influence.
www.lowyinstitute.org
November 21, 2025 at 1:34 AM
“A new book examines Russia's decade-long engagement with the region and finds more rhetoric than real influence” Read Georgi Engelbrecht in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/great-aspirations-examining-russia-s-role-southeast-asia
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/great-aspirations-examining-russia-s-role-southeast-asia
“Our current cohort of hedgehogs cannot agree on the fundamental character of Australian strategy,” writes Iain MacGillivray in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/hedgehogs-foxes-it-s-time-school-australian-statecraft
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/hedgehogs-foxes-it-s-time-school-australian-statecraft
Of hedgehogs and foxes: It’s time for a school of Australian statecraft
As a middle power, Australia needs both bold decision-makers and quick-witted rationalists. Those skills can be taught.
www.lowyinstitute.org
November 21, 2025 at 12:27 AM
“Our current cohort of hedgehogs cannot agree on the fundamental character of Australian strategy,” writes Iain MacGillivray in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/hedgehogs-foxes-it-s-time-school-australian-statecraft
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/hedgehogs-foxes-it-s-time-school-australian-statecraft
“Together, India and the Pacific can advance a stable, inclusive, and climate-secure Indo-Pacific,” write Namrata Kabra and Ambika Vishwanath in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/india-blue-pacific-partnership-climate-security
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/india-blue-pacific-partnership-climate-security
India and the Blue Pacific: A partnership for climate security
Pacific Island countries demand respect for sovereignty and self-determination. Can India help build that vision?
www.lowyinstitute.org
November 20, 2025 at 4:07 PM
“Together, India and the Pacific can advance a stable, inclusive, and climate-secure Indo-Pacific,” write Namrata Kabra and Ambika Vishwanath in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/india-blue-pacific-partnership-climate-security
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/india-blue-pacific-partnership-climate-security
“Widespread international support for the Australia-Pacific bid to host next year’s climate negotiations did not translate into a clear win,” writes Ryan Neelam in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/climate-change-compromise-progress-heart-amazon
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/climate-change-compromise-progress-heart-amazon
Climate change: Compromise and progress in the heart of the Amazon
Though outcomes might be less than hoped, important deals are being done at COP30.
www.lowyinstitute.org
November 20, 2025 at 7:07 AM
“Widespread international support for the Australia-Pacific bid to host next year’s climate negotiations did not translate into a clear win,” writes Ryan Neelam in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/climate-change-compromise-progress-heart-amazon
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/climate-change-compromise-progress-heart-amazon
“The government would have struggled to deliver the proposed COP summit in Adelaide and meet all the expectations,” writes David Dutton in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/cop-australia-trades-hosting-climate-talks-presidency
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/cop-australia-trades-hosting-climate-talks-presidency
COP that: Australia trades hosting for climate talks presidency
Dreams of holding global climate negotiations in Adelaide may be dashed, but the compromise gives Pacific voices a lift.
www.lowyinstitute.org
November 20, 2025 at 5:07 AM
“The government would have struggled to deliver the proposed COP summit in Adelaide and meet all the expectations,” writes David Dutton in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/cop-australia-trades-hosting-climate-talks-presidency
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/cop-australia-trades-hosting-climate-talks-presidency
“Experiences along the First and Second Island Chains show that the US is pursuing maximum operational control with minimum diplomatic or…” Read Robert Underwood in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/what-happens-micronesia-doesn-t-stay-micronesia
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/what-happens-micronesia-doesn-t-stay-micronesia
What happens in Micronesia doesn’t stay in Micronesia
What dispersed basing reveals about US strategic priorities.
www.lowyinstitute.org
November 20, 2025 at 4:07 AM
“Experiences along the First and Second Island Chains show that the US is pursuing maximum operational control with minimum diplomatic or…” Read Robert Underwood in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/what-happens-micronesia-doesn-t-stay-micronesia
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/what-happens-micronesia-doesn-t-stay-micronesia
“Democracies need a credible alternative with proven gigawatt-scale experience,” writes Cristina Talacko in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/china-built-energy-transition-while-democracies-debated
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/china-built-energy-transition-while-democracies-debated
China built the energy transition while democracies debated
From solar panels to batteries, the industrial spine of decarbonisation runs through factories the West does not control.
www.lowyinstitute.org
November 20, 2025 at 12:27 AM
“Democracies need a credible alternative with proven gigawatt-scale experience,” writes Cristina Talacko in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/china-built-energy-transition-while-democracies-debated
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/china-built-energy-transition-while-democracies-debated
“Different clocks or calendars create vulnerabilities and authoritarian patience can be as dangerous as authoritarian power,” writes Henry Yep in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/delay-weapon-fighting-winning-clock
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/delay-weapon-fighting-winning-clock
Delay as a weapon: Fighting – and winning – on the clock
From the South China Sea to the battlefields in Ukraine, negotiations that never end can give a false sense of stability.
www.lowyinstitute.org
November 19, 2025 at 4:09 PM
“Different clocks or calendars create vulnerabilities and authoritarian patience can be as dangerous as authoritarian power,” writes Henry Yep in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/delay-weapon-fighting-winning-clock
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/delay-weapon-fighting-winning-clock
“Diaspora pooling mechanisms have helped fund small enterprises, expand financial inclusion and diversify local economies,” writes Chae Jeong in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/papua-new-guinea-s-workers-abroad-are-untapped-resource
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/papua-new-guinea-s-workers-abroad-are-untapped-resource
Papua New Guinea’s workers abroad are an untapped resource
A diaspora syndicate fund could bridge the financing gap that leaves small enterprises starved of capital.
www.lowyinstitute.org
November 19, 2025 at 3:26 AM
“Diaspora pooling mechanisms have helped fund small enterprises, expand financial inclusion and diversify local economies,” writes Chae Jeong in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/papua-new-guinea-s-workers-abroad-are-untapped-resource
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/papua-new-guinea-s-workers-abroad-are-untapped-resource
“An island that struggles with irregular flights and delayed supply ships is set to become a digital nexus, a place where vast…” Read Samuel Bashfield in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/australia-s-indian-ocean-territories-matter-again-digital-age
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/australia-s-indian-ocean-territories-matter-again-digital-age
Australia’s Indian Ocean Territories matter again in the digital age
In a sign that geography is destiny, isolated islands look set to soon be essential nodes for the world’s data.
www.lowyinstitute.org
November 19, 2025 at 1:34 AM
“An island that struggles with irregular flights and delayed supply ships is set to become a digital nexus, a place where vast…” Read Samuel Bashfield in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/australia-s-indian-ocean-territories-matter-again-digital-age
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/australia-s-indian-ocean-territories-matter-again-digital-age
“Few countries in the region currently have the domestic capacity to develop advanced quantum technologies independently,” writes Karryl Kim Sagun Trajano in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/can-asean-secure-quantum-future
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/can-asean-secure-quantum-future
Can ASEAN secure a quantum future?
To harness the power of quantum, Southeast Asia must upskill, innovate, and think beyond the vendor-supplier model.
www.lowyinstitute.org
November 18, 2025 at 4:08 PM
“Few countries in the region currently have the domestic capacity to develop advanced quantum technologies independently,” writes Karryl Kim Sagun Trajano in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/can-asean-secure-quantum-future
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/can-asean-secure-quantum-future
“Why the currency of a single country should remain the sole currency for international trade is a valid question,” writes Shanthie Mariet D’Souza in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/reality-check-brics-lofty-dedollarisation-agenda
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/reality-check-brics-lofty-dedollarisation-agenda
A reality check for BRICS and the lofty dedollarisation agenda
Local currency deals are growing, but a unified challenge to dollar hegemony remains a distant dream.
www.lowyinstitute.org
November 18, 2025 at 3:26 AM
“Why the currency of a single country should remain the sole currency for international trade is a valid question,” writes Shanthie Mariet D’Souza in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/reality-check-brics-lofty-dedollarisation-agenda
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/reality-check-brics-lofty-dedollarisation-agenda