Where will the global political hotspots be in 2018?

Editor's note

First, the good news: global challenges this year won’t all be about Donald Trump (though if the first year of his presidency is any indication, it may be a little about him). But as Tony Walker writes, the tension between the US and North Korea shows no sign of abating, while China will continue to push for power and influence. From an Australian perspective, much of the interest this year will be in the shifting power balance in the Indo-Pacific.

Also today, Marc Hudson takes the temperature of 2018 climate policy, including an unpredictable-but-probably-inevitable heatwave knocking out some power stations, which will reignite the energy debate.

Amanda Dunn

Section Editor: Politics + Society

Top story

With so many global flashpoints, and so little diplomacy, 2018 could be a turbulent year. AAP/The Conversation

Where will the global political hotspots be in 2018? (Spoiler alert: it's not all about Donald Trump)

Tony Walker, La Trobe University

From an Australian perspective, shifting power in the Indo-Pacific will be of primary importance in 2018 and beyond.

Environment + Energy
Climate politics in 2018: another guide for the perplexed Marc Hudson, University of Manchester Last year was a vicious one for climate and energy politics. And with a South Australian election and various other federal decisions in the offing, 2018 looks like being similarly rancorous.

Cities
We can't afford to ignore indoor air quality – our lives depend on it Steve Atkinson, Deakin University Our health depends on the quality of air indoors, where most of us spend 90% of our time. The easiest solution is to open a window, but what if that's not an option?

Arts + Culture
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time trades deadpan for high-octane Sandra D'urso, University of Melbourne A theatre production of Mark Haddon's much-loved novel is affirmative and at times deeply sentimental, with a hi-tech set, and exacting choreography.

Business + Economy

Whistleblower laws leave tax professionals in an awkward position: dob or keep quiet?

John McLaren, Charles Darwin University

Accounts and other tax professionals might face some awkward conflicts of interest thanks to the federal government's proposed whistleblower laws.
The appeal of the 'flat' organisation -- why some firms are getting rid of middle managers

Massimo Garbuio, University of Sydney; Nidthida Lin, University of Newcastle

A flat management structure can reduce costs and boost efficiency but may be hard for larger firms to implement.

Health + Medicine

I've always wondered: why do our veins look blue when our blood is red?

David Irving, University of Technology Sydney

Blood is red, but our veins are blue. Or are they?
Why you should avoid hospitals in January

Stephen Duckett, Grattan Institute; Greg Moran, Grattan Institute

New medical staff start in January and may not be as skilled or adept as their predecessors, meaning more things go wrong.

Science + Technology
Australia's coastal living is at risk from sea level rise, but it's happened before Sean Ulm, James Cook University; Alan N Williams, UNSW; Chris Turney, UNSW; Stephen Lewis, James Cook University People have been forced to move in the past thanks to changes in sea levels that affected Australia's coastline.

Politics + Society
Why some people in non-violent relationships kill their partners Belinda Parker, Queensland University of Technology; Claire Ferguson, Queensland University of Technology Intimate partner homicides where there is no known history of violence are not uncommon.