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October 2014

October 2014

Between a crocodile and a tiger: Australia’s refugee deal with Cambodia

MELISSA CURLEY believes Australia’s much-criticised deal to resettle refugees in Cambodia could help raise awareness of international norms relating to refugee protection in a country where it is sorely required. Australia’s decision to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Cambodian government on the resettlement of refugees in Cambodia—ostensibly as part of a wider ‘regional […]

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The democratic deficit of collective self-defence in Japan

The manner in which Shinzo Abe’s cabinet has reinterpreted the pacifist clause of Japan’s constitution invokes unsettling shadows from former, darker days, writes RIKKI KERSTEN. When Abe Shinzo’s cabinet decided on 1 July 2014 to revise the interpretation of the pacifist clause of Japan’s constitution, commentators in Japan and around the world took notice. Those

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Afghans pin new hopes on national unity government

Keeping together a fragile alliance will be a challenge for Afghanistan’s new national government, writes NIAMATULLAH IBRAHIMI. On 29 September, to the relief of Afghans and the international community, Afghanistan’s national unity government was sworn in after a prolonged and disputed presidential runoff. This was the first peaceful transfer of power from one elected president

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Understanding Thailand

The serious study of Thailand remains a marginal concern in Australia, writes NICHOLAS FARRELLY. On 22 May 2014, Thai society was shunted by yet another military coup. The country’s political order is now being reshaped by an ambitious cohort of army leaders seeking to finally stamp out the influence of deposed former prime minister Thaksin

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