Organisation
Future Directions International
Acronym:
FDI
Future Directions International (FDI) was an independent, not-for-profit research institute. It was established in 2000, by Major General (Retd.) the Honourable Michael Jeffery (former Governor General of Australia), together with a small group of leading Australians, to conduct comprehensive research of important medium to long-term issues facing Australia.
FDI ceased operations in November 2021.
Report
Chinese tariffs on Australian wine in 2020: the domestic drivers of international coercion
This paper documents China’s policies to develop its domestic wine industry, which it regards as more achievable without competition from Australian imports. Protectionism appears to be an important driver of the trade barriers on Australian wine.
Report
Myanmar’s latest coup: what is to be done?
The international community has never been able to agree on the best approach towards Myanmar, with policies ranging over the years from tough sanctions to uncritical engagement. This paper concedes that there are no quick or easy answers to the complex questions surrounding modern Myanmar.
Report
Political and governance challenges confronting Timor-Leste
This paper looks at the primary challenges that Timor-Leste faces, on both the economic and political fronts.
Report
Djibouti at a crossroads: China’s African engagement and an adversarial Beijing-Washington relationship
Beyond the wider strategic concerns emanating from the US-China rivalry, Djibouti presents a potential opportunity for co-operation between the two powers because instability and insecurity in the Red Sea and western Indian Ocean Region are equally disadvantageous for both.
Report
US ties to allies under the Biden Administration
This report argues that President Biden may be more predictable and less transactional than Trump, but the world order has witnessed a significant change. Moreover, while the new US president has made working with allies and multilateralism a priority, his primary challenges are domestic.