MARK HIGGIE (Canberra, 1957) was Australia’s ambassador to the EU and NATO (2014–2017). He previously served (2010–2014) as international advisor to Australia’s opposition leader and then prime minister Tony Abbott. He was Australia’s representative to the British Joint Intelligence Committee 2006–2009 and ambassador in Budapest 1998–2001. He also served on diplomatic postings in Vienna and Belgrade. He has a PhD in Soviet and East European Politics from the Australian National University. Based in Budapest, he is Senior Fellow at the Danube Institute and is also Europe Correspondent for The Spectator Australia.