Daniel Flitton
@danielflitton.bsky.social
Managing ed The Interpreter, by Lowy Institute. Like Tigers.
Great detail here about what I found to be a head-snapping prospect of lunar nuclear power plants when first pitched an article on the prospect a year or so back - I'll link that below. www.nytimes.com/2026/10/04/w...
Superpowers Race to Put Nuclear Reactors on the Moon
The United States wants a reactor on the moon by 2030. A Russian-Chinese alliance is working on one for 2036. Some leading scientists say the danger is great.
nytimes.com
The Russia bit is noteworthy, but a longer tail in bigger picture: "EV sales have risen in more than 90 countries this year, including Brazil, Australia, India and South Korea. The IEA said the energy crisis had “clearly reinforced the case for EVs.” www.nytimes.com/2026/10/04/w...
Russians Snap Up Chinese E.V.s as Ukrainian Attacks Make Fuel Scarce
As Ukraine increasingly takes the war to Russia, the effects may be most visible on the roads.
nytimes.com
With reports that buses are arriving right now at the Lumut naval base in Perak with 1,500 people to be sent back to Myanmar, Amy Chew with a view on why Anwar is turning on Malaysia's Rohingya refugees. Just published. www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
Why Anwar is turning on Malaysia’s Rohingyas
Anwar Ibrahim once championed those fleeing Myanmar’s junta. Now, with his government reeling, he is preparing to send them back.
lowyinstitute.org
Notable contrast with Australia's last UNSC campaign - then pitted against the Finns (and Luxembourg) while this time paring foreign ministers Elina Valtonen and Penny Wong for a joint op-ed spruiking the possibilities. www.politico.eu/article/midd...
Middle powers can’t be bystanders as the UN falters
Finland and Australia are seeking Security Council seats with a message: The rules-based order needs countries willing to fight for it.
politico.eu
P4M. Never heard of it? Brazil, Kenya, Canada + the EU launched "Partners for Multilateralism" this week to support UN reform. Their promise? To turn shared principles into practical action. Which sounds a lot like the purpose of diplomacy. New from me:🔗 www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
P4M: A new club for middle powers – and the same old habits
Leaders keep inventing new forums to fix multilateralism – when the institution they need already exists.
lowyinstitute.org
Fascinating read. I’d rather take the sausage insects though. www.theage.com.au/environment/...
The strange story of Norfolk Island’s super-sized sharks
Everyone on this South Pacific outpost seems to have their “you’re gonna need a bigger boat” moment. There is a good reason for that.
theage.com.au
My latest for @lowyinstitute.bsky.social on Iran serving as a catalyst for potential shifts in US strategy toward the Indian Ocean, as in 1979. Thanks to @danielflitton.bsky.social for the opportunity. www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
1979 all over again? Iran and US Indian Ocean strategy transformed
The last time Iran shocked Washington, it built 50 years of US presence.
lowyinstitute.org
Good read on the sovereignty dispute next door. www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06...
These volcanic islands are uninhabited, but two nations are fighting over them
Tensions are rising between Vanuatu and France as they negotiate a sovereignty dispute over two volcanic islands, believed to be inhabited by a god.
abc.net.au
Quoted in the NYT on Albanese, One Nation and why Pauline Hanson is gaining - the hip pocket, resentment, and the political usefulness of having someone to blame. www.nytimes.com/2026/06/23/w...
In Uncertain Times, Is the Australian Leader’s Quiet Pragmatism Enough?
nytimes.com
Striking details on the geographic spread of those US embassies that have a person in the top job. Most in Europe - Africa least. But Asia-Pacific also neglected. Which might feed again the doubts about US interest in this part of the world. via @Reuters www.reuters.com/investigatio...
Just quietly, pretty happy with myself for this headline: Bollywood's bluster block in the Gulf. www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
Bollywood’s bluster block in the Gulf
Bans on hyper-nationalist Bollywood films carry a quiet warning: India’s remittance windfall from the region is not unconditional.
lowyinstitute.org
Why didn't Japan's Sanae Takaichi address parliament during her Canberra visit? Only 20 foreign leaders ever have - a short wrap from me. www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
Foreign leaders given Australia’s parliamentary privilege
A look at who has stood in the chamber – and why it matters less than it seems.
lowyinstitute.org
WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!" Each of Australia's foreign policy orthodoxies presumes an engaged America. Trump just named us in the list of countries he doesn't need. New from me for The Interpreter. www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
Trump says America needs no one’s help – Australia included
The US president’s latest war declaration puts Australia’s foreign policy orthodoxy to the test.
lowyinstitute.org
Despite recent wins, I argue @lowyinstitute.bsky.social Labor's Southeast Asia strategy risks imbalance if #Australia's economic footprint can't keep pace with its security/defence partnerships. Thank you @danielflitton.bsky.social for the opportunity to share! www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
To succeed in Southeast Asia, Australia must balance security and trade
Australia ranks second in defence networks but ninth in economic capability – and the region has noticed.
lowyinstitute.org
I've contributed to a new book, The First Albanese Government: Governing in an Age of Disruption and Division, 2022-2025 - grateful to the editors for the chance to step back from the daily commentary cycle. newsouthbooks.com.au/books/the-fi...
✍️ Random writing tip - if you can tweet it, you can make a short column of it. And then tweet that. 🔗 www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
America in the age of the envoy
A new emphasis in diplomacy isn’t all downside.
lowyinstitute.org
Penny Wong said on ABC radio this morning the 1995 AMS “has been regarded as the high watermark of our relations with Indonesia”. Don’t want to get too caught up in words, but remember this was a secret negotiation with an authoritarian government. It was fragile for this reason.
Labor pledged to prioritise diplomats over politicians for ambassadorial jobs. Then appointed ex pollies to London - twice. The UK High Comm role has never been held by a woman. Nor has Australia’s US ambassador. Some traditions remain unbroken. From me. www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
London calling, political patronage, and the diplomatic curtain
The Foreign minister’s pledge to prioritise diplomats over politicians hasn’t extended to breaking one posting tradition.
lowyinstitute.org
Big climate debates in Brazil. Will there be a result that matters? Or is this more talk? What of Australia's hopes to host the great global jamboree next year, COP31? I've drawn together a thread of recent Interpreter articles. www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
COP30: A climate for change?
A collection of Interpreter articles related to global environmental negotiations.
lowyinstitute.org
Incredible work - revealing and some sad, too. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
Photographer says heartbreaking image brought community together
Craig Parry is used to capturing beautiful photographs of the ocean at its best, but this heartbreaking image won him a prestigious Ocean Photographer of the Year award.
abc.net.au
I aspire to write a headline as worthy. (Also, a really interesting read.) www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
Can a sense of humor get Albania into the E.U.?
Once known as a Stalinist backwater, Albania is now a front-runner for E.U. accession and has a comedian running for mayor of its capital.
washingtonpost.com
Strong warning from @senatorwong.bsky.social about the risk of a hollowed out United Nations, writing for @lowyinstitute.bsky.social Interpreter. www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
Confronting the danger of a “zombie” United Nations
Middle powers can act now to reform the UN – before financial crisis turns it into an empty shell.
lowyinstitute.org
Add to this list the theft of Weeping Woman from NGV in Melbourne by "The Australian Cultural Terrorists" - culprits never found, although the painting was. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/20/u...
Other Brazen Art Heists Like the Louvre Jewelry Theft
nytimes.com
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The problem in defence isn't as much politics as a lack of transparency. And that won't be solved by another parliamentary committee holding secret hearings. A piece from me responding to plans to re-jig oversight for defence matters. www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
AUKUS doesn’t need protection from politics
Democracy works best when defence debates are transparent.
lowyinstitute.org
Anthony Albanese gives his first UN speech on Friday week. Will he break from Australia's predictable diplomatic script? My analysis of recent national statements suggests probably not.👉 www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
A bingo card guide for Anthony Albanese’s speech to the United Nations
Australia’s recent national statements reveal the familiar script the PM will likely follow in his first address to the global body.
lowyinstitute.org
Indonesia removes finance minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, official says reut.rs/4phHfYQ
Indonesia removes finance minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, official says
The Indonesian government removed finance minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati in a cabinet reshuffle on Monday, state secretariat minister Prasetyo Hadi said.
reut.rs
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Daniel Andrews shaking hands with Xi Jinping at China's military parade might be more about thumbing his nose at political enemies back home than grand strategy. My latest for @LowyInstitute on former politicians playing "private statesman". www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
Daniel Andrews, private statesman, grubby diplomacy
A former state leader’s appearance at China’s military parade tells a story of Australia’s ongoing China dilemma.
lowyinstitute.org
A Minister of AUKUS? Or ambassador at least? Interesting debating point in this Marise Payne, Jim Mattis et al essay. First reaction is how would it resolve challenges in authority lines with rest of Defence - already complaints AUKUS is an extra service. www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
Don’t Abandon AUKUS
The case for recommitting to—and revitalizing—the alliance.
foreignaffairs.com