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Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

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...

A chart illustrating the geographic spread of US posts with vacancies.

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Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

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...

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Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

A friendly reminder that you can get a snazzy new Interpreter Weekly Digest from @LowyInstitute straight to your inbox. Just sign up at the bottom of the homepage. 📨 www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...

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Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

We've given the Interpreter Weekly Email Digest a make-over, and it looks schmick. If you're not signed up, you should - 🔗https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter

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Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · 01/09/2025

It’s not all about Trump and tariffs. India and China had taken steps toward rapprochement from at least October last year when Modi met Xi. And despite the evident fractures in US-India ties now, there is still cooperation.

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Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

You should do this. (bottom of the page) www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...

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Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

What if Australia ditched the "Dollar" for something uniquely ours?💸Today, as Donald Trump warns against challenges to the greenback's dominance and crypto reshapes money itself, could Australia make a statement by revisiting our currency's name? From me. www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...

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Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

Loved a chance to plug Interpreter authors in the latest @lowyinstitute.bsky.social podcast alongside Sam Roggeveen. We talk Russia’s show trial of Australian Oscar Jenkins, US troops in Korea switch focus from Pyongyang to Beijing, China, Taiwan, CPTPP, and more. open.spotify.com/episode/68eV...

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Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

Is the Indonesia-Australia relationship still underdone? A fascinating comparative analysis by Greg Earl, contrasting Anthony Albanese's measured approach with the bold declarations of his Labor predecessor Paul Keating. www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...

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Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

With riots since last year, tensions in New Caledonia are yet to be settled. But at least the parties are talking. Denise Fisher urges Australia not to lose sight of the region's most delicate flashpoint, via @lowyinstitute.bsky.social. www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...

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Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · 14/05/2025

I spy ISI, “Pakistan’s famous brand” as Abhijnan Rej observes in this fascinating read. Draws out the little known story of the Australian spymaster behind the scenes from the outset. Pleased to feature this perspective on Lowy Institute. www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...

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Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

What's he going to make of Australia's position? www.ft.com/content/27e5...

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Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

The political element made plain in the study of International Political Economy. Leverage. “Every country is calling us,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One. “If we would have asked these countries to do us a favour, they would have said no. Now they will do anything for us.”

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Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · 06/04/2025

Industry example: Victims of China’s economic coercion / beneficiaries of Trump’s tariffs.

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Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

Beyond Heard and McDonald question, why target Norfolk Island?

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Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

DFAT warning for South Korea ahead of Yoon impeachment verdict tomorrow following his abortive martial law attempt. www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations...

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Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

Amid talk of upending "rules-based order", the tariffs mark a true recasting. Trump is creating leverage, inviting "deals". He anticipates complaints of "globalists" in coming days, so talk of WTO challenge will only underscore the change.

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Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

More grist to add to my article from Friday, "If foreign countries could vote in Australia’s election, which box would they tick?" www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...

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Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · 13/03/2025

Asking random people at the airport to fill me in on last night’s game. #gotiges

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Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · 13/03/2025

Interpreter Trivia tonight in Canberra … nothing else going on is there? #gotiges

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Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

Great question, Is your job as Foreign Minister more difficult today than it was a week ago?", prompting a philosophical reflection from Penny Wong.

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Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

A little brag note after a big few days of commentary on The Interpreter @LowyInstitute. I’m lucky to have such responsive authors – there has been news about. So go fishing through a great collection of articles, and I’ll highlight just a couple here.👇https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter

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Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

These words are so imbued with assumption - seems the heart of the breakdown.

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Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

Delivering a speech on cutting edge technologies. “China is ready to share” is the theme.

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Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

Pretty absorbing chat between the four leaders, plenty of laughs, talk about respect for rules.

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Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

Bleak (realistic?) outlook from Luxon, that assumptions underpinning NZ foreign policy no longer hold in a world of power over rules, need assurances about purpose of military modernisation. Sees trade, diaspora, development and security as grounds for NZ engagement with region.

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Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

Anwar declares “we will engage” as response to US-China tensions, saying both opportunities and challenges from the rivalry. I wonder how Trump’s people will receive that hedging if the planned ASEAN-US summit stands up? (Also, that’s NZ bald head in shot, he’s up next.)

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Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

Plenty to talk about with Timor Leste hoping to become an ASEAN member, perhaps as early at this year.

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Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

JRH urges non-interference cannot mean indifference, talks of the test for ASEAN in South China Sea and Myanmar, later says no country should feel abandoned by ASEAN partners.

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Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

“We do believe that challenges [at the present] are more prominent than the opportunities.” Vietnam’s PM at the ASEAN Future Forum. Putting an emphasis on the need for better connections throughout the world.

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Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · 19/02/2025

ASIO boss after observation on the danger of suspected state-sanctioned murder or plots in allies.

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Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

Strong analysis today on Interpreter @lowyinstitute.bsky.social of the Trump threats on tariffs, what the numbers say about whether Australia really broke a verbal agreement on aluminium, and whether multilateral matters anymore. Feed your eyeballs. www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...

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Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

Imposing the theme - interesting to see the readouts where the "golden age" is evident, and those where it's not. www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-st...

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Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

Biggest privilege of my gig is getting to speak to an audience about what's what in the world and hearing other perspectives. Big thanks to Jenny Hewett, Lydia Khalil and Sam Roggeveen along with the @lowyinstitute.bsky.social team to putting on a show last night at the State Library of Victoria.

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Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

Via ⁦‪Telegraph‬⁩, bases that still leave analysts wondering.

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Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · 05/01/2025

Quite amusing, and telling, brag note.

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Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · 28/12/2024

Where is Terry Alderman when you need him?

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Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · 18/12/2024

Australia’s ambassador is (finally) going back to Ukraine. Notable that Penny Wong points to the Morrison government in deciding to close.

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Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

The phrase in blue will get most attention, seen as a blocker to China. Yet a cheque for the Nauru budget is of far more significance, in terms of managing risk (debates about program aid vs budget support). And while it mentions five years, what then? www.pm.gov.au/media/nauru-...

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Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

The MAGA hat was given to me by a member of the original Clinton team as a wry joke in 2015, but I get more wear out of my Nauru Game Fishing cap that I picked up when covering a riot in the Australian-run asylum seeker detention centre. www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...

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