The government’s push for closer relations with the US could be undone by a Trump victory in November.

Centralising power in a president is more likely to foster personalised, corrupt governance that is democratically unaccountable.

While there may not be any practical outcomes, the summit is a chance for Ukraine to press its case that any settlement of the war should be based on just principles.

After five years of operating mostly in western Asia, the Middle East and Africa, Islamist terror groups are again growing in strength in the West.

Vladimir Putin faces token opposition in the polls this weekend after his regime has viciously cracked down on opposition figures. He’s likely to be even more repressive in his next term.

The erasure of Ukrainian nationhood in occupied territories and frequent denial of Ukraine’s right to exist is evidence the Russian invasion has been genocidal in nature.

Ukraine has fought off relentless waves of Russian attacks over the past two years, but if its Western support dries up, its resistance will be very hard to sustain.

Like Nelson Mandela, Navalny might have become a redemptive leader, leading his people from war and tyranny to the promised of a freer society.

By the time Australia has its first nuclear-powered attack submarine, Russia’s Pacific fleet will have grown to 45 warships.

Russia can offer advanced military and satellite technology know-how to the North – as well as the promise of a future economic partner.

South-East Asia is anxious about the Ukraine war’s impact on regional economies. For New Zealand, that presents more pressing geopolitical priorities than confronting China.

The apparent death of the warlord in a plane shot down over Russia tells us much about the fragility that surrounds Russian politics.

Putin has progressively sickened Russian society, creating a toxic culture that celebrates xenophobia, nativism, and violence.