Latika M Bourke
@latikambourke.com
📰 Writer-at-Large, The Nightly | London
📧 Subscribe to me at www.latikambourke.com
🎙️ Latika Takes: The Podcast on all apps
📧 Subscribe to me at www.latikambourke.com
🎙️ Latika Takes: The Podcast on all apps
Just published my piece on the European Council's decision on the frozen Russian assets.
Imperfect, but not a total win for the Kremlin.
Read more: latika.me/NoAssets
Imperfect, but not a total win for the Kremlin.
Read more: latika.me/NoAssets
Ukraine crunch-time: Europe caves to Russia's threats
But the Kremlin should hardly be popping the champagne corks
latika.me
December 19, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Just published my piece on the European Council's decision on the frozen Russian assets.
Imperfect, but not a total win for the Kremlin.
Read more: latika.me/NoAssets
Imperfect, but not a total win for the Kremlin.
Read more: latika.me/NoAssets
"What the events of October 7th and its aftermath here in Australia have underlined to me, and I hope have underlined to every Australian, is that leadership or the lack of leadership really matters.
“It can be the difference between life and death."
latika.me/LifeAndDeath
“It can be the difference between life and death."
latika.me/LifeAndDeath
‘Life and death’: Frydenberg’s scathing assessment, plea
EXCLUSIVE: Former Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has not ruled out a return to politics, saying Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s weak leadership on antisemitism had been the difference between ‘life and d...
latika.me
December 18, 2025 at 9:34 PM
"What the events of October 7th and its aftermath here in Australia have underlined to me, and I hope have underlined to every Australian, is that leadership or the lack of leadership really matters.
“It can be the difference between life and death."
latika.me/LifeAndDeath
“It can be the difference between life and death."
latika.me/LifeAndDeath
Career diplomat to replace Peter crash-and-burn Mandelson in DC as UK Ambassador.
www.ft.com/content/f4b9...
www.ft.com/content/f4b9...
Christian Turner to be new UK ambassador to US
Diplomat due to be Britain’s UN envoy is handed key post in Washington after contest to replace Peter Mandelson
www.ft.com
December 18, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Career diplomat to replace Peter crash-and-burn Mandelson in DC as UK Ambassador.
www.ft.com/content/f4b9...
www.ft.com/content/f4b9...
🎙️Just released
My podcast with @Josh Frydenberg about his Bondi speech, why he thinks Labor has been weak on antisemitism, what he told his children about the terror attacks, and if wants to fill the leadership gap he says the attack has exposed.
🎧 latika.me/Frydenberg
My podcast with @Josh Frydenberg about his Bondi speech, why he thinks Labor has been weak on antisemitism, what he told his children about the terror attacks, and if wants to fill the leadership gap he says the attack has exposed.
🎧 latika.me/Frydenberg
🇦🇺 From Melbourne, Latika Takes interviews Josh Frydenberg
The former Liberal Treasurer speaks about his speech blaming Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for the massacre of Jews at Bondi.
latika.me
December 18, 2025 at 11:26 AM
🎙️Just released
My podcast with @Josh Frydenberg about his Bondi speech, why he thinks Labor has been weak on antisemitism, what he told his children about the terror attacks, and if wants to fill the leadership gap he says the attack has exposed.
🎧 latika.me/Frydenberg
My podcast with @Josh Frydenberg about his Bondi speech, why he thinks Labor has been weak on antisemitism, what he told his children about the terror attacks, and if wants to fill the leadership gap he says the attack has exposed.
🎧 latika.me/Frydenberg
Bondi Shooting.
PM Anthony Albanese statement:
'The scenes in Bondi are shocking and distressing. Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives. My thoughts are with every person affected.
1/2
PM Anthony Albanese statement:
'The scenes in Bondi are shocking and distressing. Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives. My thoughts are with every person affected.
1/2
December 14, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Bondi Shooting.
PM Anthony Albanese statement:
'The scenes in Bondi are shocking and distressing. Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives. My thoughts are with every person affected.
1/2
PM Anthony Albanese statement:
'The scenes in Bondi are shocking and distressing. Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives. My thoughts are with every person affected.
1/2
‼️ Dmytro Kuleba says Andriy Yermak told him not to cultivate Jared Kushner as a contact for Ukraine as Donald Trump's son-in-law was a 'no-name.'
Yermak told me Kuleba was creating fake news.
Wild story with potentially huge ramifications for Ukraine...
latika.me/YermakKushner
Yermak told me Kuleba was creating fake news.
Wild story with potentially huge ramifications for Ukraine...
latika.me/YermakKushner
Andriy Yermak fires back: 'Always treated ... Kushner with full respect'
Ukraine's former foreign minister said Yermak told him Kushner was a 'no name'
latika.me
December 12, 2025 at 10:39 AM
‼️ Dmytro Kuleba says Andriy Yermak told him not to cultivate Jared Kushner as a contact for Ukraine as Donald Trump's son-in-law was a 'no-name.'
Yermak told me Kuleba was creating fake news.
Wild story with potentially huge ramifications for Ukraine...
latika.me/YermakKushner
Yermak told me Kuleba was creating fake news.
Wild story with potentially huge ramifications for Ukraine...
latika.me/YermakKushner
G7 Finance Ministers + Australia, Chile, Mexico, India and Korea hedge on immobilised Russian assets.
Source: gov.uk www.gov.uk/government/n...
Source: gov.uk www.gov.uk/government/n...
December 9, 2025 at 10:18 AM
G7 Finance Ministers + Australia, Chile, Mexico, India and Korea hedge on immobilised Russian assets.
Source: gov.uk www.gov.uk/government/n...
Source: gov.uk www.gov.uk/government/n...
Rutte to host Zelensky, Von der Leyen and Costa at his residence in Brussels tonight after Zelensky visits London with Starmer, Merz and Macron.
December 8, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Rutte to host Zelensky, Von der Leyen and Costa at his residence in Brussels tonight after Zelensky visits London with Starmer, Merz and Macron.
“Our allies are not children. They’re nations capable of doing far more for themselves than they have this time they stand up, and they are."
Read my latest column: latika.me/NSS
Read my latest column: latika.me/NSS
December 8, 2025 at 10:01 AM
“Our allies are not children. They’re nations capable of doing far more for themselves than they have this time they stand up, and they are."
Read my latest column: latika.me/NSS
Read my latest column: latika.me/NSS
“Model allies that step up like Israel, South Korea, Poland, increasingly Germany, the Baltics and others will receive our special favour."
Notice that Australia is not on that list?
latika.me/NSS
Notice that Australia is not on that list?
latika.me/NSS
Trump let Albo off the hook on defence spend, but will MAGA?
When Richard Marles and Penny Wong meet their US counterparts in Washington DC on Monday, one subject may be back on the table — the consequences of Australia’s low defence spending.
latika.me
December 7, 2025 at 10:58 PM
“Model allies that step up like Israel, South Korea, Poland, increasingly Germany, the Baltics and others will receive our special favour."
Notice that Australia is not on that list?
latika.me/NSS
Notice that Australia is not on that list?
latika.me/NSS
Looking for a weekend read? I've just read the White House National Security Strategy. It's worrying, to say the least, for Europe. Possibly existential.
You can read my analysis here: latika.me/EuropeAlone
You can read my analysis here: latika.me/EuropeAlone
Europe must act as though it is alone
The White House's National Security Strategy laid bare MAGA's animosity to Europe
latika.me
December 6, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Looking for a weekend read? I've just read the White House National Security Strategy. It's worrying, to say the least, for Europe. Possibly existential.
You can read my analysis here: latika.me/EuropeAlone
You can read my analysis here: latika.me/EuropeAlone
“It’s a very different United States …. they are our Ally, that Alliance will endure — we hope."
Malcolm Turnbull on the US Alliance, why Teal MP Monique Ryan should replace Penny Wong and why Trump really loves Sleepy Old Guy aka Biden's AUKUS deal.
latika.me/WeHope
Malcolm Turnbull on the US Alliance, why Teal MP Monique Ryan should replace Penny Wong and why Trump really loves Sleepy Old Guy aka Biden's AUKUS deal.
latika.me/WeHope
Aus-US alliance will survive Trump, ‘we hope,’ says Turnbull
Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull says AUKUS is a ‘shocking deal’ and has made Australia more dependent on the Americans at a time when they are less dependable than ever.
latika.me
December 4, 2025 at 8:18 AM
“It’s a very different United States …. they are our Ally, that Alliance will endure — we hope."
Malcolm Turnbull on the US Alliance, why Teal MP Monique Ryan should replace Penny Wong and why Trump really loves Sleepy Old Guy aka Biden's AUKUS deal.
latika.me/WeHope
Malcolm Turnbull on the US Alliance, why Teal MP Monique Ryan should replace Penny Wong and why Trump really loves Sleepy Old Guy aka Biden's AUKUS deal.
latika.me/WeHope
🎙️ My latest podcast is with Belarus' President-elect Sviatlana Tsihanouskaya
We discuss:
🚺 The role of women in patriarchal Belarus
🇷🇺 To sanction or not?
🇺🇸 Engaging Trump
🇺🇦 Europe's Ukraine fatigue and pro-Russian populism
AND
❗ That odd statement from her husband
latika.me/SviatlanaPod
We discuss:
🚺 The role of women in patriarchal Belarus
🇷🇺 To sanction or not?
🇺🇸 Engaging Trump
🇺🇦 Europe's Ukraine fatigue and pro-Russian populism
AND
❗ That odd statement from her husband
latika.me/SviatlanaPod
Latika Takes interviews Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya
The Belarusian leader-in-exile discusses how to topple a dictator
latika.me
December 3, 2025 at 8:09 AM
🎙️ My latest podcast is with Belarus' President-elect Sviatlana Tsihanouskaya
We discuss:
🚺 The role of women in patriarchal Belarus
🇷🇺 To sanction or not?
🇺🇸 Engaging Trump
🇺🇦 Europe's Ukraine fatigue and pro-Russian populism
AND
❗ That odd statement from her husband
latika.me/SviatlanaPod
We discuss:
🚺 The role of women in patriarchal Belarus
🇷🇺 To sanction or not?
🇺🇸 Engaging Trump
🇺🇦 Europe's Ukraine fatigue and pro-Russian populism
AND
❗ That odd statement from her husband
latika.me/SviatlanaPod
Chinese coercion and naval circumnavigations of Australia is our new normal, says outgoing spy chief Andrew Shearer.
Read more in The Nightly.
latika.me/CoerciveCirc...
Read more in The Nightly.
latika.me/CoerciveCirc...
Nation’s spy boss warns of rising Indo-Pacific conflict risk
Australia’s spy chief has warned that major conflict could break out in the Indo-Pacific region within the decade as China’s navy ratchets up its intimidation tactics.
latika.me
December 2, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Chinese coercion and naval circumnavigations of Australia is our new normal, says outgoing spy chief Andrew Shearer.
Read more in The Nightly.
latika.me/CoerciveCirc...
Read more in The Nightly.
latika.me/CoerciveCirc...
Congratulations Anthony Albanese. Your backyard wedding was a step forward for modern politics.
My comment piece in The Nightly:
latika.me/CongratsAlbo
My comment piece in The Nightly:
latika.me/CongratsAlbo
Why Albo’s wedding was a step forward for modern politics
LATIKA M BOURKE: Anthony Albanese’s weekend wedding was a masterclass in understatement, taste and dignity, and marked a win for progressivism.
latika.me
November 30, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Congratulations Anthony Albanese. Your backyard wedding was a step forward for modern politics.
My comment piece in The Nightly:
latika.me/CongratsAlbo
My comment piece in The Nightly:
latika.me/CongratsAlbo
A lot to unpack here from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's statement after the call of the Coalition of the Willing.
Particularly this line: 'A central point is the question of financing for Ukraine including the use of the immobilised Russian sovereign assets.'
Particularly this line: 'A central point is the question of financing for Ukraine including the use of the immobilised Russian sovereign assets.'
November 25, 2025 at 6:23 PM
A lot to unpack here from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's statement after the call of the Coalition of the Willing.
Particularly this line: 'A central point is the question of financing for Ukraine including the use of the immobilised Russian sovereign assets.'
Particularly this line: 'A central point is the question of financing for Ukraine including the use of the immobilised Russian sovereign assets.'
🇦🇺 Will join the Coalition of the Willing call today European time.
Am told Defence Minister Richard Marles will rep Aust.
Am told Defence Minister Richard Marles will rep Aust.
November 25, 2025 at 9:56 AM
🇦🇺 Will join the Coalition of the Willing call today European time.
Am told Defence Minister Richard Marles will rep Aust.
Am told Defence Minister Richard Marles will rep Aust.
🎙️ My latest podcast is with Donald Trump's former National Security Advisor John Bolton. Amb. Bolton discusses how to navigate Trump's chaotic approach to foreign policy.
He says the Republicans urgently need to clean up the Russian narratives that have infected the movement.
latika.me/JohnBolton
He says the Republicans urgently need to clean up the Russian narratives that have infected the movement.
latika.me/JohnBolton
Latika Takes interviews Ambassador John Bolton
Listen now | Donald Trump's former National Security Adviser shares his views on how the Indo-Pacific should respond to the President's second term
latika.me
November 23, 2025 at 10:24 AM
🎙️ My latest podcast is with Donald Trump's former National Security Advisor John Bolton. Amb. Bolton discusses how to navigate Trump's chaotic approach to foreign policy.
He says the Republicans urgently need to clean up the Russian narratives that have infected the movement.
latika.me/JohnBolton
He says the Republicans urgently need to clean up the Russian narratives that have infected the movement.
latika.me/JohnBolton
What I'm Reading - The Trump peace plan edition
open.substack.com/pub/latikamb...
open.substack.com/pub/latikamb...
What I'm Reading - The Trump 'Peace Plan' edition
November 21: Five reads that piqued my interest this week
open.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 8:41 PM
What I'm Reading - The Trump peace plan edition
open.substack.com/pub/latikamb...
open.substack.com/pub/latikamb...
'We will discuss the current proposal on the table, and in support of President Trump’s push for peace, look at how we can strengthen this plan for the next phase of negotiations.'
Keir Starmer says European leaders will meet at G20 re Ukraine 'peace' plan.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Keir Starmer says European leaders will meet at G20 re Ukraine 'peace' plan.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
November 22, 2025 at 8:45 AM
'We will discuss the current proposal on the table, and in support of President Trump’s push for peace, look at how we can strengthen this plan for the next phase of negotiations.'
Keir Starmer says European leaders will meet at G20 re Ukraine 'peace' plan.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Keir Starmer says European leaders will meet at G20 re Ukraine 'peace' plan.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
The lack of EU agency in the latest bout of 'peace' proposals for Ukraine is as staggering as it is striking.
November 21, 2025 at 1:35 PM
The lack of EU agency in the latest bout of 'peace' proposals for Ukraine is as staggering as it is striking.
Readout from Merz, Macron, Starmer and Zelensky call:
'They agreed that any agreement concerning the European states, the European Union or NATO requires the approval of the European partners or a consensus of the Allies.'
www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/aktu...
'They agreed that any agreement concerning the European states, the European Union or NATO requires the approval of the European partners or a consensus of the Allies.'
www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/aktu...
Bundeskanzler Merz telefoniert mit Staatspräsident Macron, Premierminister Starmer und Präsident Selenskyj
Der Sprecher der Bundesregierung, Stefan Kornelius, teilt mit:
www.bundesregierung.de
November 21, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Readout from Merz, Macron, Starmer and Zelensky call:
'They agreed that any agreement concerning the European states, the European Union or NATO requires the approval of the European partners or a consensus of the Allies.'
www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/aktu...
'They agreed that any agreement concerning the European states, the European Union or NATO requires the approval of the European partners or a consensus of the Allies.'
www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/aktu...