Editor's note

President Donald Trump has appointed CIA director Mike Pompeo to replace Rex Tillerson as U.S. secretary of state. Pompeo is a foreign policy hawk who voted against the Iran nuclear deal in 2015 when he was a congressman. Trump is also critical of that Obama-era agreement, which lifted some sanctions on Iran after the country halted its uranium-enrichment program and submitted to international inspections. The consequences of scrapping the deal could be deadly, writes Gregory Aftandilian.

Meanwhile, John J Stremlau suggests that Pompeo's appointment is further proof that Africa-US relations are unlikely to improve as long as Trump remains president. Pompeo has little interest in, or knowledge of, African affairs.

Representatives from 10 Southeast Asian nations will gather in Australia this weekend for an important summit. Nicholas Farrelly  and Adam Simpson explain that Myanmar's leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, is likely to receive a fairly cool reception. In particular, concerns will be raised over the Myanmar military’s appalling treatment of the Muslim Rohingya, and Suu Kyi’s refusal to denounce it.

Catesby Holmes

Global Affairs Editor

Top Story

The newly nominated secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, is a foreign policy hawk who opposes the Iran nuclear deal. Scrapping it could unleash a chain reaction of violence across the Middle East. AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta

Pompeo's rise will make Mideast war more likely

Gregory Aftandilian, Boston University

Trump's pick to lead the State Department believes Iran is 'intent on destroying America.' But ending the Iran nuclear deal could unleash a violent chain reaction, a Mideast scholar says.

US President Donald Trump after sacking Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. EPA-EFE/Shawn Thew

Trump should be the trigger for Africa to find common cause with Americans

John J Stremlau, University of the Witwatersrand

Relations between the US and Africa are unlikely to improve while Trump remains president. But that doesn't mean the continent should remain passive.

Aung San Suu Kyi has lost much of her goodwill since the 2017 Rohingya crisis. Hein Htet/AAP

After the Rohingya crisis, Aung San Suu Kyi will come to the ASEAN summit with her reputation tarnished

Nicholas Farrelly, Australian National University; Adam Simpson, University of South Australia

When Aung San Suu Kyi led her party to victory in 2015, many hoped Myanmar's worst days were behind them. But the government's complicity in the Rohingya crisis has tarnished her reputation.

Politics + Society

Business + Economy

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    Michael Wade, IMD Business School; Jialu Shan, IMD Business School

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    Amitrajeet A. Batabyal, Rochester Institute of Technology

    President Trump recently imposed steep tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum. An economist explains what they are, how they work and why they matter.

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