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Tony Walker

Adjunct Professor, School of Communications, La Trobe University

The Australian Financial Review: International Editor (2010-2016), Washington correspondent (2004-2010), Political Editor (2000-2004), Financial Times: Middle East correspondent (1984-1993), Beijing bureau chief (1993-1998), North American correspondent 1998-2000. Publications include Arafat: The Biography (Virgin Books 2004) and The Thomson Five: A golfing legend's greatest triumphs (Melbourne University Press 2016). Graduate Australian National University BA.(1968) Dual Walkley award winner for commentary (2003 and 2007). Paul Lyneham Award Excellence Press Gallery journalism (2003).

Global Geopolitics Series

Sanctions, a failing economy and coronavirus may cause Iran to change its involvement in Syria

Mar 01, 2020 12:54 pm UTC| Insights & Views Economy

Irans emergence as a hot zone for the coronavirus further complicates that countrys relationships with its neighbours at a time when its economy is sliding deeper into recession. US President Donald Trumps maximum...

US under Trump Series

Why the global battle over Huawei could prove more disruptive than Trump's trade war with China

Feb 19, 2020 01:51 am UTC| Insights & Views

Chinas ambassador to Australia, Cheng Jingye, let the cat out of the bag this week when he lambasted Canberra over its decision to exclude Huawei from the build-out of Australias 5G network. In uncharacteristically...

Listen to your people Scott Morrison: the bushfires demand a climate policy reboot

Jan 07, 2020 15:36 pm UTC| Insights & Views Politics

Frank Jotzo, the director of the Centre for Climate and Energy Policy at Australian National University, has some constructive advice for Prime Minister Scott Morrison in a column today for the ABC: do not waste an...

Global Geopolitics Series

2019 was a year of global unrest, spurred by anger at rising inequality – and 2020 is likely to be worse

Dec 10, 2019 05:15 am UTC| Insights & Views

2019 may well go down as the most disrupted year in global politics since the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989 and the subsequent implosion of the former Soviet Union. However, the likelihood is that 2020 will be worse,...

Global Geopolitics Series

Chinese 'spy' case may be the greatest challenge to Australian security since Petrov – but caution is needed

Nov 27, 2019 12:48 pm UTC| Insights & Views

Not since the Petrov affair in 1954, when a KGB officer sought asylum in Australia with details of Soviet spying activities, has a case been as potentially significant for Australian security as that of Wang Liqiang, the...

Morrison needs to take control of China policy - but leave room for dissent

Aug 15, 2019 17:50 pm UTC| Insights & Views Politics

The Morrison government is at risk of losing control of China policy. Push-back from within its own ranks is complicating its ability to manage relations with Beijing. China policy is being subjected to a buffeting from...

Iran and US refusing to budge as tit-for-tat ship seizures in Middle East raise the temperature

Jul 22, 2019 13:23 pm UTC| Insights & Views

In a world run ragged by multiple crises and an unravelling of American global leadership, military confrontation in the Gulf poses risks that extend well beyond the region itself. One of the greater risks is to a...

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Economy

Threading Opportunity: How an India–EU FTA Could Reweave Textile Fortunes

After almost 18 years of negotiations, an IndiaEU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) recently reconfirmed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is getting closer. Targeted for early 2026 completion, the deal could...

Yen Stays Under Pressure After BOJ Decision as Dollar Slides on Geopolitical Jitters

The Japanese yen remained rangebound on Friday after the Bank of Japan kept interest rates unchanged, a move widely anticipated by markets, while the U.S. dollar headed for its steepest weekly decline in a year amid...

BOJ Holds Interest Rates Steady, Upgrades Growth and Inflation Outlook for Japan

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) kept interest rates unchanged on Friday, a decision that aligned with market expectations, while delivering a more optimistic outlook for Japans economic growth and inflation. The central bank left...

Gold Nears $5,000 as Precious Metals Surge on Geopolitical Uncertainty

Gold prices surged to unprecedented levels during Asian trading on Friday, edging closer to the closely watched $5,000 per ounce milestone as escalating geopolitical uncertainty and a weakening U.S. dollar fueled strong...

Oil Prices Rebound on Iran Tensions as Supply Risks and U.S. Inventory Data Shape Markets

Oil prices rebounded on Friday after sharp losses a day earlier, driven by renewed geopolitical tensions involving Iran and concerns that potential military action could disrupt global oil supplies. Brent crude futures for...

Politics

Trump Explains Bruised Hand, Cites High Aspirin Intake During Davos Trip

U.S. President Donald Trump recently addressed public speculation surrounding a noticeable bruise on his left hand, attributing it to his regular intake of high-dose aspirin combined with a minor accident during his trip...

Colombia Suspends Electricity Exports to Ecuador as Trade and Security Dispute Escalates

Colombia has announced it will suspend electricity sales to Ecuador and impose a 30% tariff on 20 Ecuadorian products, escalating a growing trade and security dispute between the neighboring countries. The move follows...

Somaliland President Meets Eric Trump and Israeli President at Davos to Seek Recognition and Investment

The president of Somaliland used the global spotlight of the World Economic Forum in Davos this week to push for international recognition and attract foreign investment to the self-declared East African nation. President...

Trump Launches U.S.-Led Board of Peace to Oversee Gaza Ceasefire and Expand Global Role

U.S. President Donald Trump has launched a new international body called the Board of Peace, initially aimed at stabilizing Gazas fragile ceasefire but envisioned to play a broader role in global conflict resolution....

United States Officially Exits World Health Organization, Raising Global Public Health Concerns

The United States has officially withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO), marking a significant shift in global health policy that experts warn could harm public health both domestically and worldwide. The...

Science

NASA and SpaceX Target Crew-11 Undocking From ISS Amid Medical Concern

NASA has confirmed that the agency, in coordination with SpaceX, is targeting no earlier than 5 p.m. Eastern Time (2200 GMT) on Wednesday, January 14, for the undocking of the SpaceX Crew-11 mission from the International...

Neuralink Plans High-Volume Brain Implant Production and Fully Automated Surgery by 2026

Elon Musks brain-computer interface company Neuralink is preparing for a major expansion, announcing plans to begin high-volume production of its brain implant devices and transition to a fully automated surgical procedure...

Jared Isaacman Confirmed as NASA Administrator, Becomes 15th Leader of U.S. Space Agency

The U.S. Senate has officially confirmed billionaire private astronaut Jared Isaacman as the new NASA administrator, making him the 15th leader in the agencys history. The confirmation, which took place on Wednesday, marks...

Senate Sets December 8 Vote on Trump’s NASA Nominee Jared Isaacman

The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee announced it will vote on December 8 on President Donald Trumps renewed nomination of private astronaut and tech entrepreneur Jared Isaacman to lead NASA. Isaacman, known for his...

NASA Cuts Boeing Starliner Missions as SpaceX Pulls Ahead

NASA has significantly scaled back Boeings Starliner program after years of technical issues and delays, announcing that the next Starliner mission to the International Space Station (ISS) will fly without astronauts. The...

Technology

Ericsson Plans SEK 25 Billion Shareholder Returns as Margins Improve Despite Flat Network Market

Swedens telecom equipment giant Ericsson announced plans to significantly boost shareholder returns after reporting a sharp rise in net cash and continued margin improvements, even as the global mobile network market...

Microsoft Restores Microsoft 365 Services After Widespread Outage

Microsoft confirmed on Friday that it has fully restored access to its Microsoft 365 productivity suite following a widespread service outage that disrupted users across multiple regions, particularly in North America. The...

Tesla Plans FSD Subscription Price Hikes as Autonomous Capabilities Advance

Teslas Full Self-Driving (FSD) software is set to become more expensive over time as its technology improves, according to CEO Elon Musk. The announcement comes as Tesla Inc. continues its transition away from a one-time...

ByteDance Finalizes Majority U.S.-Owned TikTok Joint Venture to Avert American Ban

TikToks Chinese parent company, ByteDance, has finalized a landmark agreement to establish a majority American-owned joint venture aimed at safeguarding U.S. user data and avoiding a nationwide ban on the popular...

Intel Stock Slides Despite Earnings Beat as Weak Q1 Outlook Raises Concerns

Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC) shares plunged 13.4% on Thursday after the semiconductor giant delivered a weaker-than-expected outlook for the first quarter, overshadowing its better-than-anticipated fourth-quarter...