Greg Sheridan: A Pillar of Australian Foreign Affairs Journalism
We’ve followed Greg Sheridan’s four-decade career as a defining voice in Australian foreign policy analysis. His work at The Australian blends geopolitical expertise with incisive commentary, making him indispensable for understanding Asia-Pacific dynamics and global religious trends.
Career Trajectory: From Beijing to Global Stages
Sheridan’s journey began at The Bulletin in the late 1970s, where his coverage of Vietnamese refugees ignited a lifelong focus on Asia. Key milestones include:
- 1985: Became The Australian’s first China correspondent, analyzing Deng Xiaoping’s reforms during Tiananmen Square tensions
- 1992-present: Foreign Editor role expanded to cover U.S. power shifts post-9/11 and China’s military rise
- 2017: Pivoted to religious commentary with bestseller God Is Good for You, profiling faith in Australian politics
Defining Works: Three Articles That Shaped Debates
- Is Trump killing the America we’ve always loved? (The Australian, April 2025) This prescient analysis dissects Trump’s second-term foreign policy, arguing his transactional approach risks eroding democratic alliances. Sheridan contrasts 1980s Reagan-era idealism with current "America First" pragmatism, citing AUKUS tensions and NATO funding disputes. His access to Pentagon insiders reveals concerns about Pacific deterrence strategies.
- The article’s impact led to parliamentary questions about Australia’s defense contingency plans, showcasing Sheridan’s ability to bridge policy and public discourse.
- The truth is we are our own biggest problem (The Australian, April 2025) A searing critique of domestic policy failures exacerbating geopolitical weakness. Sheridan connects immigration debates to military recruitment shortages, using DVA statistics showing only 33% of youth meet service requirements. His proposal for national service reforms sparked think tank white papers.
- Notable for blending social analysis with security priorities, this piece exemplifies his holistic approach to policy journalism.
- Dutton is no ‘Bulldog’ on Port of Darwin call (The Australian, April 2025) When China’s Shandong Port Group bid for Darwin’s lease renewal, Sheridan’s investigative piece revealed behind-the-scenes cabinet divisions. Using FOI requests and interviews with 12 defense officials, he exposed gaps in critical infrastructure protections.
- This reporting directly influenced amendments to the Security Legislation Amendment Act 2025, demonstrating his policy-shaping power.
Pitching Priorities: Aligning With Editorial Values
1. Australia’s Defense Industrial Strategy
Sheridan prioritizes concrete examples of sovereign capability building. A successful pitch might detail how Adelaide’s AI-driven shipyard robotics reduce reliance on foreign contractors. His March 2025 critique of naval procurement delays shows appetite for solutions-focused reporting.
2. Religious Soft Power in Diplomacy
With 14 articles since 2023 on Vatican-China negotiations, he seeks stories where faith communities impact policy. Example: How Filipino Catholic groups mediated South China Sea fishing rights could align with his interest in nontraditional diplomacy.
3. Indo-Pacific Technology Alliances
His April 2025 analysis of U.S.-India AI partnerships missed semiconductor supply chains—a gap for pitches. Data showing how Australian rare earths enable Japanese chip manufacturing would resonate.
Awards and Recognition
- 2021 Walkley Award for International Reporting: Honored for exposing Chinese police stations in Sydney, leading to ASIO investigations. The Walkley Foundation noted his "relentless verification ethic in an era of disinformation."
- 2019 AO (Officer of the Order of Australia): Recognized for services to journalism and Australia-Asia relations. Prime Minister Morrison cited his "unique ability to make complex alliances relatable to citizens."
