Could Albanese and Trump's long-awaited meeting happen in Brisbane?
Donald Trump
Brisbane
Australia
national
India news
queensland CONTACT US
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News AU
14 minutes ago
- Sky News AU
Still no ambassador, still no red carpet: Albanese-Trump meeting still far away despite US President's 'bear hug' with adversary-turned-cooperator Vladimir Putin
The shockwaves from the historic meeting between the US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are continuing to reverberate throughout the West world and beyond. Many analysts and lip-readers – seemingly a new craze in today's media landscape – are reading too much into the body language between the two leaders. Basic observations, from the red carpet to the display of US air power and the pair's ride in the armoured presidential limousine known as 'The Beast', have passed for hard-hitting geopolitical analysis. Amid all this, there are some core take away points which need to be revisited. Despite the warm and welcoming atmosphere, the Alaska 2025 meeting was not an easy endeavour. The initially declared six to seven hours of combined talks were cut down to under three hours. The scheduled business lunch was cancelled. Still, it was a breakthrough, certainly for Putin. For Europe and Ukraine, the meeting felt more like a bear hug. Here is why. The lucky seven for Putin? The Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska was their seventh face-to-face get together as presidents. It might end up being the most memorable of all. First, and perhaps most importantly, the outcome of the Alaska bilateral was the reduced risk (at least for now) of an open confrontation between the two nuclear superpowers over the proxy conflict in Ukraine. The warm pragmatic atmosphere embraced by the US and Russian delegations (members of which were clearly cherry-picked by both presidents, also to avoid any potential mishaps) demonstrated the will to work through major strategic issues, including on the urgent matter of strategic nuclear weapons control. It is a major win for Trump who – like Putin - takes the risk of nuclear confrontation more seriously than many believe he does. Second, it was a symbolic recognition of Russia as a top tier power. In his interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity, Trump underlined the importance of engaging with Russia as a major power: 'It's good when two big powers get along, especially when they're nuclear powers,' he said. 'We're number one, they're number two in the world. And it's a big deal. That's a big deal.' Indeed, this is a big deal for Putin, less with respect to how Europe and Ukraine will look at him and Moscow now, and more about how this recognition would be perceived by major players of the Global South, among them China, India and Brazil. In the same interview Trump also recognised risks of Russia-China strategic reproachment, for which he blamed Barak Obama, but more Joe Biden. 'Biden did something really unthinkable…. he drove China and Russia together. That's not good,' he said. But Trump's assumption that Russia and China are inherently rivals, and that friction between the two can therefore be achieved, may prove to be too optimistic. The mutual mistrust in Russia-West relations and the deepening interdependence of Russia-China strategic ties are too strong to be shaken by personal chemistry between Trump and Putin and promises of economic and trade concessions. Prior to flying to Alaska, Putin held a phone conversation with Xi, potentially to brief him on what the Russians were planning to discuss with US counterparts. It is also worth noting that at the time of the Alaska summit, the Russian and Chinese navies were taking part in yet another joint maritime patrol in the north-western Pacific, another indication that neither power were ready to ease off on their deepening alliance. And let's not forget the relationship between Russia and the DPRK. Third, it seems that Putin convinced Trump as to the credibility of Russia's narrative on Ukraine, also by insisting not on a temporary ceasefire, which Kyiv is aggressively pursuing, but on a permanent peace settlement with a long-lasting effect. This is another win for Putin, even though he may need to show compromise along the way. It's now up to Trump to convince America's European allies and Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky to agree to a deal that was reportedly floated by Russia in Anchorage. Alternatively, the Russians will press on with their offensive and Europe risks being left to sort out the unwinnable war in Ukraine by itself. The meeting in Alaska was another example of Trump's traditionalist approach to prioritising business with powers of similar strategic weight to America, while other players must wait their turn, or until they are called in. Regrettably, Australia under Anthony Albanese is no exception, despite our time-proven standing as America's trusted ally in the Indo-Pacific. No red carpet for Albanese That certainly appears to be the case, in the land far far away. As a start, the White House has not appointed its new ambassador to Australia, an awkward repeat of the 2017 situation during Trump's 45th Presidency. Apparently, the government's decision to recognise Palestine did not go down well in Washington, which was communicated by the US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. 'There is an enormous level of disappointment, and some disgust,' he told ABC's 7.30 report on Thursday. Trump could still extend a bear hug to the PM, as strategic cooperation, including on AUKUS Pillar II, sits on the backburner. Bear in mind the Trump administration is still yet to release the results of a wide-reaching review into the tripartite security agreement. Albanese got to walk on the red carpet, at least in China, during his second official visit last month. A third visit can surely be arranged if the man from Marrickville is in dire need of some more political stardust. Beijing won't mind, I suspect. Oh wait. Putin will get one first when he visits Beijing in early September as the guest of honour to join Chinese grand festivities marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the war in the Pacific. Once again, we'll have to wait for our turn on the red carpet. Dr. Alexey Muraviev is Associate Professor of National Security and Strategic Studies at Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia.
ABC News
14 minutes ago
- ABC News
Israeli MP at centre of Australian visa row, Simcha Rothman, says choice is Israel or Hamas
Far-right Israeli politician Simcha Rothman has told the ABC that Australia needs to "decide to be on the side of Hamas … or Israel", in the wake of his visa being cancelled and Israel's decision to revoke visas for Australia's representatives to the Palestinian Authority (PA). The visa cancellations are the clearest sign of building tensions between Australia and Israel, after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that Australia would recognise a Palestinian state at next month's UN General Assembly. The visa revocation for Australia's representatives to the Palestinian Authority comes partially in retaliation to Australia's decision to cancel Mr Rothman's visa for an upcoming series of appearances at Australian synagogues and Jewish schools, hosted by the Australian Jewish Association (AJA). Late on Monday evening, Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, said his decision followed a "backdrop" of Australia's decision to recognise a Palestinian state and the "unjustified refusal" to grant Mr Rothman's visa — claiming the Australian government was choosing to fuel antisemitism. Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong has called it an "unjustified reaction, following Australia's decision to recognise Palestine". "At a time when dialogue and diplomacy are needed more than ever, the Netanyahu government is isolating Israel and undermining international efforts towards peace and a two-state solution," Senator Wong said in a statement. "We will continue to work with partners as we contribute international momentum to a two-state solution, a ceasefire in Gaza and release of the hostages. "The Australian government will always take decisive action against antisemitism." In a statement, the Palestinian Authority's foreign affairs ministry said it condemned "in the strongest terms the arbitrary measure". "The ministry considers this measure illegal and in violation of the Geneva Conventions, international law, and United Nations resolutions, which do not grant the occupying power such authority," it said. "It stresses that such actions reflect Israeli arrogance and a state of political imbalance, and will only strengthen Australia's and other countries' determination to uphold international law, the two-state solution, and recognition of the State of Palestine as the path to peace." In an interview with the ABC, Mr Rothman said Mr Sa'ar's decision is a "great response". "I think the government of Australia needs to decide, do they want to be on the side of Hamas, or do they want to be on the side of Israel?" The ABC has seen the letter revoking Mr Rothman's visa, which said he had the potential to use the events he would be participating in to "promote his controversial views and ideologies, which may lead to fostering division in the community". The letter cites examples of Mr Rothman claiming that children were not dying of hunger in Gaza, that those children were Israel's enemies, and that the idea of a two-state solution had "poisoned the minds of the entire world". The decision states that "his presence in Australia would or might be a risk to the good order of the Australian community or a segment of the Australian community, namely the Islamic population". It added that "given his inflammatory statements, that likely public knowledge that [Mr Rothman] had entered Australia with the government's permission may encourage others to feel emboldened to voice any anti-Islamic sentiments, if not to take action to give effect to that prejudice." But Mr Rothman insisted he was being blocked from entering Australia only because he said, "Hamas is bad, and Israel is good." When asked if Mr Rothman conceded his views and voting record was at odds with Australia's foreign policy, he said he felt the Australian government was "afraid of open discourse about its policies". "That's usually defining dictatorships," he said. "… It's not a democratic way to go and that's why, despite the fact that the Australian government is so afraid of hate and division, they allowed people to shout on the streets calls for genocide of the Jewish people." In a tense interview with the ABC, Mr Rothman repeatedly denied there was a starvation crisis in Gaza, blaming Hamas for any hunger, and repeated claims published in a conservative American news website that the United Nations had changed the definition of starvation to launch political attacks against Israel. He also denied US President Donald Trump had said starvation was present, despite the US president's repeated references to the scenes of desperation in Gaza being hard to "fake". Mr Rothman is a member of the National Religious Party — Religious Zionism, which is led by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotritch. The party leader has been sanctioned by Australia and other countries, including the UK, over accusations of inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. Mr Rothman repeatedly corrected the ABC when asked questions about the West Bank, refusing to acknowledge that as its name and instead insisting it be called Judea and Samaria — its biblical name. He also took issue with references to the Australian government using the term "Occupied Palestinian Territories" to describe the West Bank and Gaza. Mr Rothman's visa cancellation is not the first time Australia has denied entry to an Israeli politician. Former justice minister Ayalet Shaked was denied a visa in November last year, with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke saying it was "over concerns she would threaten social cohesion". The ABC understands Israel's decision on Australia diplomatic visas may only affect two staff.
AU Financial Review
22 minutes ago
- AU Financial Review
ASX to open lower, Powell speech awaited
Australian shares are poised to open lower. US equities were little changed in afternoon trading with investors looking ahead to a speech by Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell later in the week. On Tuesday's reporting schedule, among others: CSL, BHP Group, HMC Capital, Woodside Energy and Centuria Capital Group. Follow our reporting season coverage here. Market highlights ASX 200 futures are pointing down 33 points or 0.4 per cent to 8864. All US prices near 3pm New York time. Today's agenda The Economic Reform Roundtable begins on Tuesday with Anthony Albanese, Jim Chalmers and Michele Bullock set to speak. August consumer confidence data will be released at 10.30am on Tuesday morning. NAB said: 'We expect consumer confidence to lift following the RBA's August interest rate cut and the ongoing rally in equity markets. NAB's high frequency transactions data suggests the pickup in consumer spending seen in May and June continued into July – July transactions rose 0.7 per cent month-over-month.' Later, at 10.30pm, the US will release July housing starts and building permits. Top stories How $50m windfall in Qantas case changes the game for unions | The unprecedented amount awarded to the Transport Workers Union could be the beginning as new wage theft laws dramatically increase the maximum fines available. Chanticleer: The market and the maths show Qantas got off lightly | The illegal sacking of more than 1800 workers has cost money, reputations and investor angst. But after its record penalty, does the size of the stick match the carrot? Tensions between unions and business cast shadow over summit | Productivity Commission chair Danielle Wood joins employers in pushing back at the Victorian government's proposed work-from-home laws. | In a note to investors on Monday, the firm said the huge Wall Street debut meant it had revised the value of its stake in the design software business. | Federal Court Justice Michael Lee has imposed the largest fine on a company under the Fair Work Act for illegally sacking more than 1800 workers.
