RSIS Webinar by Professor Caitlin Byrne

The COVID-19 outbreak has brought enormous pressure to bear on the practice of diplomacy around the globe. Australia is no exception. The closure of international and internal borders, locking down of cities and pressure from citizens to return home has impacted on the nation’s diplomatic priorities and practice. Domestic interest in and support for diplomacy is myopic, as demonstrated in the recent budget outcomes. And yet, the broader strategic dynamics of the region demand more ambitious and active diplomacy. This webinar looks into the dilemma facing contemporary Australian diplomacy – caught between the ambition of a “regional power with global interests” as set out in the 2017 foreign policy white paper and the ambivalence of domestic politics, and offers some thoughts on how Australian diplomacy might adapt in coming years as it reconciles these enduring tensions.