Author: James Boyers, ANU
On September 5 2007, George W. Bush and John Howard signed a treaty to improve defence cooperation between the United States and Australia. Although signed over two years ago, the treaty has not yet been ratified by the United States or Australian governments. Recent developments within United States Senate indicate that it is likely to obtain Senate approval, and ratification shortly thereafter.
At the time, the treaty reflected the Bush administration’s especially close ties with the Howard government in Australia. Read more…
Author: James Boyers, ANU
On January 29, Republican Scott Brown won a United States Senate special election held in Massachusetts to fill the senate seat of the late Edward Kennedy. The victory occurred in the context of a slowly recovering national economy, continuing high unemployment and discontent over the passage and content of healthcare reform legislation. The extraordinary result followed an excellent campaign by Brown and a poor campaign by the democratic party candidate, Martha Coakley.
Scott Brown’s campaign was defined by three issues: lower taxes to encourage job growth and reinvigorate the economy, a pledge to be the 41st vote against healthcare reform (Senate voting rules require a ‘supermajority’ of 60 votes on a bill to defeat filibustering), and opposition to the trial of accused terrorists in civilian courts. Read more…
Author: James Boyers, ANU
Just after the swearing-in of the new Administrator of USAID, Dr Rajiv Shah, and on the eve of her aborted trip to Asia and Australia, US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, delivered an address at the Petersen Institute for International Economics, outlining the Obama administration’s approach to international development. In her opening remarks, Secretary Clinton described the provision of aid and development assistance ‘as central to advancing American interests and solving global problems as diplomacy and defence.’ The goal of development, articulated by Secretary Clinton, is to advance global security, improve America’s security, and project American values and leadership in the world.
In order to achieve these goals, Secretary Clinton outlined six ‘steps’ being taken by the administration. Read more…
