The March of Autocracy; AFA11

The March of Autocracy examines the rise of authoritarian and illiberal leaders, whose growing assertiveness is reshaping the Western-led world order. It explores the challenge for Australia as it enters a new era, in which China's international sway increases and democracies compete with their rivals for global influence.

• Professor of politics at the University of Sydney John Keane on despotism and the new Cold War between the United States and China.
• Director of the Lowy Institute's International Security Program Sam Roggeveen on the American contest against authoritarianism and how it is shaping US foreign policy.
• Chinese culture and politics expert Linda Jaivin on what diplomatic and political levers Australia has at its disposal in dealing with China.
• Research fellow at the Lowy Institute Natasha Kassam and senior lecturer in international politics at the Australian National University Darren Lim on how authoritarianism has risen in China and elsewhere in the wake of COVID-19 and a global shift in power.
• ASPI senior analyst Huong Le Thu on how Australia can improve its South-East Asian ties.
• Acclaimed photojournalist Kate Geraghty on Christina Lamb's Our Bodies, Their Battlefield and women in the context of war.
• The ABC's South-East Asia correspondent Liam Cochrane on Sebastian Strangio's In the Dragon's Shadow and the future of South-East Asia in the Chinese century.
• Adelaide University senior international politics lecturer Priya Chacko on Geoff Raby's China's Grand Strategy and Australia's Future in the New Global Order and the need to boost our diplomacy.
• Research Fellow in the Asia Institute of The University of Melbourne Melissa Conley Tyler on Sue Boyd's Not Always Diplomatic and pioneers in the foreign service.

Australian Foreign Affairs is published three times a year and seeks to explore - and encourage - debate on Australia's place in the world and global outlook.