The Curious Diplomat

Publisher’s description:
From the Indo-Pacific and beyond, a riveting insider’s account of diplomacy and politics, and Australia’s position in the world.

‘Lachlan, what do you actually do as a diplomat?’ In The Curious Diplomat, Strahan answers that question, taking readers inside the world of Australian diplomacy. From the icy heart of North Korea to the halls of the United Nations, this is a riveting insider’s account of diplomacy, politics and the evolution of Australia’s place in the world over the last 30 years.

Led by his curiosity in people and places, Strahan held some of Australia’s key postings, including India, Germany, Korea and Solomon Islands. He grappled with Australia’s big diplomatic challenges – from China’s rise, tensions with India, and Beijing’s security agreement with Solomon Islands, to climate change, biological weapons, human rights and the search for MH370. Working with prime ministers from John Howard to Kevin Rudd, Malcolm Turnbull to Anthony Albanese, and all of Australia’s foreign ministers from Gareth Evans to Penny Wong, gave him unique insights into Australia’s national interests.

In The Curious Diplomat, Strahan unwraps how Canberra sees the world, and how our allies, partners and adversaries see us. He explores the Australian way of diplomacy, and what Australia can do today to forge a path for itself in a complicated and dangerous world.

Author Lachlan Strahan

Publisher: Monash University Publishing

Format: Paperback

Pages: 336

Published 1 November 2025

ISBN 9781923192638