The question is often asked 'What will Islamists do to democracy?' But it seems equally valid to ask 'What might democracy do to Islamists?' This Lowy Institute paper examines how three different Islamist movements, the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, the Prosperous Justice Party in Indonesia and the Justice and Development Party, have all sought to...

The contest between Senators Barack Obama and John McCain for the presidency of the United States is being followed intently around the world. How much exactly, in terms of U.S. foreign policy, is at stake? Many commentators are emphasising the similarities of the two candidates’ foreign policies, and it is certainly true that the menu...

Australian aid has not been effective in helping the Pacific Islands region make significant progress in meeting the Millennium Development Goals. Australian aid should be used to leverage growing corporate interest in reducing global poverty into investment in the Pacific - to create real income-earning opportunities for a burgeoning youth population and underscore a solid...

The fourth annual Lowy Institute Poll surveys Australian public opinion on a range of foreign policy issues including attitudes towards Japanese whaling, foreign investment in Australia, China, the US presidential election, climate change, Australia’s international reputation under the new Rudd government and uranium.

Nuclear dangers are growing, yet so is a new 'realistic idealist' campaign for nuclear disarmament. In this Lowy Institute Policy Brief, International Security Program Director Rory Medcalf suggests ways Australia might contribute to nuclear security in Asia and globally, in addition to the new international Commission that Canberra is co-sponsoring with Tokyo. These include rebuilding...