With US-German ties at a potentially historic pivot point, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz makes his first major official trip outside Europe on Monday to meet US President Joe Biden. 

A major new defense pact signed last week between Japan and Australia highlights  Tokyo’s growing strategic importance as a partner in an emerging international, anti-China alliance.

Late December is traditionally a time to look forward to the hope of a new year, especially in the midst of the worst pandemic for a century. Yet, at a time of growing geopolitical disorder, this month is also a key historical moment to look in the rear-view mirror.

US President Joe Biden on Tuesday criticized China for the failure of President Xi Jinping to show up at the COP26 climate change summit, amid wider international concern.

The climate change agenda has had a lower profile since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the next month may see a global diplomatic super-surge given that success at November’s COP26 summit in Glasgow remains in the balance.

As the 20th anniversary of 9/11 nears, Joe Biden has declared that US-led anti-terror efforts must continue post-Afghanistan. However, Washington would be wise to deploy a much “smarter” campaign.  

Antony Blinken will be warmly welcomed in Africa on Sunday, yet as he begins his first trip there as US secretary of state he will be in no celebratory mood.

US Vice-President Kamala Harris starts a tour of Asia on Sunday in a bid to recapture the Biden team’s foreign policy momentum after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.