Author Archives: Academia Nomad

Once I was asked by a friend to recommend six graduates for positions within his department. He promised that those I recommend would immediately make the list for interviews. Call for applications was also advertised. True to his word, all six graduates I recommended were shortlisted for interview. Three were recruited. It was interesting toContinue reading “Character over GPA”

In less than a week, the wold came together to condemn Russian invasion of Ukraine. Sanctions on Putin and the oligarchs, Russian Central Bank, suspension of SWIFT services, and supplied weapons and aid money for those affected. The question many, especially in the Pacific are asking is: what about West Papua? West Papua has beenContinue reading “What about West Papua?”

The similarities are striking. Putin wants Ukraine, Xi wants Taiwan. Both Ukraine and Taiwan are democratic countries. Countries where elections are relatively free and fair compared to dictatorial style governments of Russia and China. Putin makes the historical and cultural ties between Russia and Ukraine. Xi makes the same claims for Taiwan. But what PutinContinue reading “What happens to Putin will affect Chinese ambitions over Taiwan”

Putin is isolated on the world stage, and humiliated by Ukraine in the battle field. The war is in its 6th day, and despite having the third largest military capability (after US and China), Russian military have not taken any major cities of Ukraine. There are several reasons for this. First, Russia is facing supplyContinue reading “Gross blunder on Putin’s part…”

By Alan Robson, ANU Department of Pacific Affairs, UPNG Political Science This is part one of Alan ROBSON’s take on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. In this piece, Alan argues that the West pushed too far. Putin didn’t have much choice but to act. Part two he balances the argument but looking at Putin’s own ambitions toContinue reading “The West pushed too far: Alan ROBSON’s take Russia-Ukraine conflict”