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France’s sole carrier Charles de Gaulle is positioned in the eastern Mediterranean.

The French pocket super-carrier that could help shield Hormuz

France has deployed its sole aircraft carrier in an “unprecedented” naval build-up that could be used to protect cargo vessels from Iranian drones.

  • Michele Kambas, John Irish and Staff reporter

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with Canada’s PM, Mark Carney, at the Global Progress Action Summit held in London in September.

O Canada, O Albanese: This middle power roars as Australia’s exemplar

Prime Minister Mark Carney, who visits Australia this week, dares to project his nation as an important player in global politics. Australia must do the same.

  • George Brandis
The US is due to sell Australia at least three Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS agreement.

Australia seals UK defence deal with $300m for AUKUS sub reactors

The new spending is the first payment for Rolls-Royce equipment to be installed in the first AUKUS boats, as Defence Minister Pat Conroy visits his British counterpart in London.

  • David Crowe
Russia Ukraine war

Four years on, Ukraine is under more pressure than ever. So is Russia

The war of attrition appears almost certain to continue despite Donald Trump’s pressure on Ukraine to sign away its territory in the hope of a lasting peace.

  • David Crowe
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas addresses the Munich Security Conference on Sunday.

Europe tells Trump: You have it wrong on our ‘decline’

Europe’s foreign policy chief rebuked US claims that the continent faces “civilisational erasure” and outlined plans for more defence partnerships, including a pact with Australia.

  • David Crowe
Donald Trump

‘Despicable’ attack on Trump signals a shift in Europe

A dispute in Poland is emerging as a key test of Europe’s willingness to speak out against its NATO ally.

  • David Crowe
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Donald Trump

Trump is in decay and it affects the whole world, including us

If our PM declines to spend $US1 billion to join the Board of Peace, will Trump punish Australia?

  • Bruce Wolpe
Donald Trump did not apologise directly for his original comments, nor retract them.

‘Great and very brave’: Trump backtracks on NATO troop comments

The US president has heaped praise on British soldiers who fought in Afghanistan in a partial reversal of comments that drew a cascade of criticism from allies.

  • Pan Pylas
An E/A-18G Growler launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz in the South China Sea.

‘Sharp shift’: New US defence strategy tells allies to sort out their own security

The document – which makes no mention of or guarantee to Taiwan – views China as a settled force in the Indo-Pacific region that only needs to be deterred from dominating the US or its allies.

  • Konstantin Toropin and Courtney Bonnell
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer look at each other as they shake hands during a press conference at Chequers near Aylesbury, England, Thursday Sept. 18, 2025, at the conclusion of President Trump’s second UK state visit, with the previous one taking place in 2019 during his first presidential term. (Leon Neal/Pool Photo via AP)

Trump triggers fury in Europe over ‘insulting’ Afghanistan claim

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the US president should apologise for claiming allied troops “stayed a little back”, as Prince Harry joined in the condemnation.

  • David Crowe