Peter Hartcher

Political and International Editor at Sydney Morning Herald

Political and International Editor at The Age

Worldly Journo

Articles

Trump’s quiet MAGA caveat: Could it ban Albanese from the United States?

2 days 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

4 days 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.

1 week 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 week 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.
With this much power, Anthony Albanese can think big. But here’s why he won’t.

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

Political and international editor May 24, 2025 — 5.00am, register or subscribe to save articles for later. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. The central reality of Australian politics for the new term of parliament is the dominance of the Albanese government. It has swung its electoral sword so broadly that it has decapitated the Liberals and Greens and panicked the Coalition’s scattered survivors into utter disarray.
Australia news LIVE: Nationals split from Liberals; Howard lashes Coalition collapse as ‘stupid move’

2 weeks ago | smh.com.au | Sarah McPhee |Peter Hartcher |Riley Walter |Natassia Chrysanthos

By Peter HartcherThe split of the Nationals and Liberals looks a lot like two turkeys voting for Christmas. Neither can win power without the other. If they continue in this state, they will have delivered an unimagined bonus for Anthony Albanese’s Labor government: an opposition without a plausible pathway to power. The Nationals have stormed off in a state of righteous indignation.
Nationals leave themselves exposed in fight that amounts to chicken feed

2 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. The split of the Nationals and Liberals looks a lot like two turkeys voting for Christmas. Neither can win power without the other. If they continue in this state, they will have delivered an unimagined bonus for Anthony Albanese’s Labor government: an opposition without a plausible pathway to power. The Nationals have stormed off in a state of righteous indignation.
It’s a $US450 billion industry, and Australia is in prime position to become a player

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

Political and international editor May 20, 2025 — 5.00am, register or subscribe to save articles for later. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. On the same day last week, two important international news stories illuminated a coincidence of risk and opportunity for Australia. First, Reuters broke the story on Thursday that the US had discovered unexplained communications gadgets built into Chinese-made solar power equipment.
Why Donald Trump’s a long-term problem for the Coalition

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

Why Trump’s a term-long problem for the CoalitionWe’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later. Political and international editor May 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. The federal election cast Australia against the spectre of Donald Trump. It was a resounding victory for Australia. Peter Dutton was associated with Trump so he was punished.
Albanese set to land in a changed and changing Indonesia

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

Political and international editor May 13, 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 Anthony Albanese arrives in Indonesia tomorrow, he will find himself in a consequential country poised between two possible futures. One is the vision of its president, Prabowo Subianto – the former special forces strongman-turned-“cute grandpa” – of a Golden Indonesia.