Peter Hartcher

Political and International Editor at Sydney Morning Herald

Political and International Editor at The Age

Worldly Journo

Articles

Jim Chalmers’ National Press Club speech said lack of consensus is holding us back. But what else is?

1 week ago | smh.com.au | Peter Hartcher

Political and international editor June 21, 2025 — 5.00am, register or subscribe to save articles for later. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Jim Chalmers shocked Australia this week. The treasurer gave a speech to the National Press Club that didn’t try to bludgeon the country into accepting his view. Instead, he asked Australia a question. Can we, as a people, make big reforms to make our country better, even if it’s hard?
What Vladimir Putin’s ‘Rasputin-like mystical influence’ over the US president means for the world

1 week ago | smh.com.au | Peter Hartcher

, register or subscribe to save articles for later. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. When Donald Trump cancelled his meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese this week and left the G7 Summit early, it became clear the billionaire businessman’s second presidency was facing a key test.
Trump’s Russian delusion is complete. He sees Putin as a peacemaker

1 week ago | smh.com.au | Peter Hartcher

Political and international editor June 17, 2025 — 5.00am, register or subscribe to save articles for later. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. We know that Donald Trump has long had a soft spot for Vladimir Putin. But now it’s almost as if he’s given him a spot in his administration.
To defend itself, Australia mustn’t kowtow to its rivals. Or its allies

2 weeks ago | smh.com.au | Peter Hartcher

To defend itself, Australia mustn’t kowtow to its rivals. Or its alliesWe’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later. Political and international editor June 14, 2025 — 5.00am, register or subscribe to save articles for later. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Anthony Albanese’s plane took off from Canberra on Friday morning without any word on whether he’ll be meeting Donald Trump.
Trump was spoiling for another street war. Now he’s got one

2 weeks ago | smh.com.au | Peter Hartcher

Political and international editor June 9, 2025 — 7.30pm, register or subscribe to save articles for later. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Donald Trump campaigned on a promise to conduct the biggest deportation program of illegal immigrants in American history. He has a mandate to do just that.
‘Progressive patriot’ PM Anthony Albanese faces his call to arms

3 weeks ago | smh.com.au | Peter Hartcher

‘Progressive patriot’ prime minister faces his call to armsWe’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later. Political and international editor June 7, 2025 — 5.00am, register or subscribe to save articles for later. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Donald Trump’s Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth, was reported to be pressuring Australia this week to ramp up its military budget. Pressuring?
Trump’s quiet MAGA caveat: Could it ban Albanese from the United States?

3 weeks ago | smh.com.au | Peter Hartcher

, register or subscribe to save articles for later. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. It’s no secret President Donald Trump’s reach extends beyond the United States, but a key element of his second presidency could have unprecedented consequences on the rest of the world for years to come – and we’re not talking about his tariffs.
The US’s biggest export? Donald Trump’s MAGA mindset

3 weeks ago | smh.com.au | Peter Hartcher

Political and international editor June 3, 2025 — 5.00am, register or subscribe to save articles for later. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. When J.D. Vance went to Munich in February, it seemed a bizarre bit of attention-seeking. The US vice president told Europe’s leaders that their biggest threat was not Russia or China but came “from within”. He told them they were anti-democratic. He spoke up for the far-right Alternative for Germany party.
Sussan Ley and David Littleproud, the coalition of the unwilling. Climate wars will soon eclipse reunification relief.

4 weeks ago | smh.com.au | Peter Hartcher

Coalition of the unwilling: Climate wars will soon eclipse reunification reliefWe’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later. Political and international editor May 31, 2025 — 5.00am, register or subscribe to save articles for later. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. What was the point of the Eight-Day War? David Littleproud wrenched the Coalition apart last week only to put it back together this week.
At debt’s door: America’s superpower is waning and Trump’s part of the problem

1 month ago | smh.com.au | Peter Hartcher

Political and international editor May 27, 2025 — 5.00am, register or subscribe to save articles for later. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. In short order, Donald Trump has inflicted deep damage to three of the unique sources of American superpower. And he’s on the very brink of shattering a fourth. The US enjoyed the unique advantage of an alliance network of more than 40 countries. But an alliance is meaningless to Trump’s America.