Pearlcast episode

Pearlcasts

As we review 2025, the temptation is to look for neat summaries and settled conclusions.

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Fuel crisis exposes decades of policy failure
Crispin Hull

Fuel crisis exposes decades of policy failure

Australia’s fuel crisis may have been triggered by global conflict – but it reflects decades of political failure to reduce oil dependence and plan for transition.

We dug up medics in Gaza. A year later, international law remains buried
Jonathan Whittall

We dug up medics in Gaza. A year later, international law remains buried

Israeli attacks on healthcare workers and infrastructure in Gaza reflect a broader erosion of legal and moral constraints, with consequences extending beyond the conflict.

The legal logic behind Israel and Iran’s nuclear divide
Catherine Maia

The legal logic behind Israel and Iran’s nuclear divide

The difference between Israel and Iran on nuclear weapons is not a legal contradiction – but a result of how international law is structured around state consent.

Climate misinformation inquiry stops short on reform
Anne Delaney

Climate misinformation inquiry stops short on reform

Australia’s first inquiry into climate misinformation finds a systemic problem distorting public debate – but its strongest solutions sit outside the main report.

Trump’s war without purpose is everyone’s problem
James Curran

Trump’s war without purpose is everyone’s problem

The US-led war on Iran lacks clear objectives or strategy, accelerating the erosion of American credibility while exposing failures in political and media judgement.

Millions rally across US in 'No Kings' protests against Trump
Brad Reed

Millions rally across US in 'No Kings' protests against Trump

Millions of Americans joined coordinated 'No Kings' protests across the country on Saturday, in a large nationwide demonstration against President Donald Trump.

Mickey J: an Australian always, quietly, making a big difference
Jack Waterford

Mickey J: an Australian always, quietly, making a big difference

At a time of diminished political leadership, the legacy of Fred Hollows and Michael Johnson shows what practical, principled internationalism can achieve.

John Menadue

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The Olympics’ transgender athlete ban is a legal and moral minefield
Matt Nichol

The Olympics’ transgender athlete ban is a legal and moral minefield

The IOC’s new sex testing policy for women’s sport marks a major shift in eligibility rules and raises significant human rights and legal questions.

When charity no longer means need
John Frew

When charity no longer means need

Australia’s charitable framework now rewards compliance over need, allowing well-resourced institutions and contested activities to sit alongside genuine relief of disadvantage.

Hegseth rebuked for bloodthirsty prayer asking God to bless Iran War
Jon Queally

Hegseth rebuked for bloodthirsty prayer asking God to bless Iran War

Trump’s Secretary of Defence invoking divine violence against Iran has intensified concerns about the fusion of religion, politics and war in US leadership.

Iran’s target list: taking the war to multinationals
Eugene Doyle

Iran’s target list: taking the war to multinationals

Major corporations are increasingly entangled in modern warfare, blurring the line between civilian infrastructure and military targets.

Share prices, sports results … CO₂ levels? The case for reporting climate stats every day
Elspeth Tilley

Share prices, sports results … CO₂ levels? The case for reporting climate stats every day

Regular reporting of atmospheric carbon levels could make climate change more visible, understandable and actionable in everyday public life.

Labor’s caution is becoming a barrier to progress
Kristine Klugman

Labor’s caution is becoming a barrier to progress

A political culture of caution and bipartisanship is limiting the government’s ability to act on major issues including human rights, climate and social cohesion.

Half the truth: defending public education requires more honesty, not less
John Frew

Half the truth: defending public education requires more honesty, not less

Criticism of public schools is not entirely wrong – but by ignoring unequal conditions, it misdiagnoses the problem and misplaces responsibility.

The solar revolution is here – but it’s not moving fast enough
Peter Hansford

The solar revolution is here – but it’s not moving fast enough

Solar and battery technology are rapidly reshaping energy systems, but policy, infrastructure and community incentives will determine how far and how fast the transition goes.

Read our series

A Year in Review 10 Anti China Media Watch 20 Australia in Our Region 14
Best of 2025 136 Gourley on Government 13 History 1
Review 11 The Dismissal at 50 28 The UN at 80 4
Year in Review 2 Young Global Leaders 6

Latest on Palestine and Israel

We dug up medics in Gaza. A year later, international law remains buried
Jonathan Whittall

We dug up medics in Gaza. A year later, international law remains buried

Israeli attacks on healthcare workers and infrastructure in Gaza reflect a broader erosion of legal and moral constraints, with consequences extending beyond the conflict.

The legal logic behind Israel and Iran’s nuclear divide
Catherine Maia

The legal logic behind Israel and Iran’s nuclear divide

The difference between Israel and Iran on nuclear weapons is not a legal contradiction – but a result of how international law is structured around state consent.

Why Israel wants a war with Iran
Chris Hedges,  Gideon Levy

Why Israel wants a war with Iran

In a conversation with Chris Hedges, Gideon Levy says Israel’s deep-rooted militarism – reinforced by media silence – is driving an endless cycle of war.

Israel faces a grim future of endless wars unless it comes to terms with Palestinians
John Menadue

Israel faces a grim future of endless wars unless it comes to terms with Palestinians

Israeli influence has shaped US foreign policy for decades – with profound consequences for war and peace in the Middle East.

Life in Iran illustrates shifting realities amid US-Israel war
Peiman Salehi

Life in Iran illustrates shifting realities amid US-Israel war

From Tehran, the conflict is less about missiles and more about endurance – as daily life adjusts to disruption, uncertainty and economic strain.

“Terrorism” may be the most powerful word in modern politics
Meg Schwarz

“Terrorism” may be the most powerful word in modern politics

The term “terrorism” simplifies complex conflicts, often obscuring history, perspective and the motivations behind violence.

UN experts urge Israel to free Gaza doctor amid reports of ‘severe torture’
Al Jazeera Staff

UN experts urge Israel to free Gaza doctor amid reports of ‘severe torture’

UN experts say a Palestinian doctor detained by Israel has been denied medical care and subjected to serious human rights abuses.

Free speech and antisemitism: drawing the line
Gareth Evans

Free speech and antisemitism: drawing the line

In this extract from his submission to the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion Gareth Evans argues that it is crucial that protest language claimed to be inherently antisemitic be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, taking into account context and intent.

John Menadue's book on Israel's war against Gaza

Israel's war against Gaza

Media coverage of the war in Gaza since October 2023 has spread a series of lies propagated by Israel and the United States. This publication presents information, analysis, clarification, views and perspectives largely unavailable in mainstream media in Australia and elsewhere.

Download the PDF

Latest on China

Why delaying the Trump-Xi Summit could anchor global stability
Mark S Pirie,  Christopher Tang

Why delaying the Trump-Xi Summit could anchor global stability

The postponement of a US–China summit reflects domestic constraints and shifting global leverage – not just competing priorities – and may open space for recalibration with China.

Sanctioned Rubio to take part in Trump’s China trip
Dewey Sim

Sanctioned Rubio to take part in Trump’s China trip

The US secretary of state, previously sanctioned by Beijing, is expected to accompany Donald Trump on a visit to China as both sides prepare for high-level talks.

China’s tech ambitions, Nepal’s political upheaval and the BTS comeback – Asian Media Report
David Armstrong

China’s tech ambitions, Nepal’s political upheaval and the BTS comeback – Asian Media Report

Five-year-plan stresses AI, Xi-Trump summit still on track, K-pop sensation’s global comeback, landslide win in Nepal elections, security risks self-radicalise online, and Manila drops Nobel laureate charges.

More from Pearls and Irritations

The solar revolution is here – but it’s not moving fast enough
Peter Hansford

The solar revolution is here – but it’s not moving fast enough

Plastic is poisoning the planet – and us
Julian Cribb

Plastic is poisoning the planet – and us

Tax reform isn’t enough – Australia needs an economic reset
Stewart Sweeney

Tax reform isn’t enough – Australia needs an economic reset

None of the diverse ‘journalists’ writing for this Aussie news site are real
Antoinette Lattoufe,  Soaliha Iqbal

None of the diverse ‘journalists’ writing for this Aussie news site are real

Why Israel wants a war with Iran
Chris Hedges,  Gideon Levy

Why Israel wants a war with Iran

Environment: Industry’s carbon capture fantasy is climate action’s nightmare
Peter Sainsbury

Environment: Industry’s carbon capture fantasy is climate action’s nightmare

Trump is remaking the US media in his own image – and smashing accountability with it
Rodney Tiffen

Trump is remaking the US media in his own image – and smashing accountability with it

media,  usa,  world
‘I lost hope in humanity, but I now call myself human’: what refugees told us about settling in regional Australia
Eliza Crosbie,  Karen Block,  Natascha Klocker

‘I lost hope in humanity, but I now call myself human’: what refugees told us about settling in regional Australia

Israel faces a grim future of endless wars unless it comes to terms with Palestinians
John Menadue

Israel faces a grim future of endless wars unless it comes to terms with Palestinians

Resistance and the 'Regime' – Message from the Editor
Catriona Jackson

Resistance and the 'Regime' – Message from the Editor

Trump’s new tariff war, America’s waning status in Asia, and mixed reviews for BTS – Asian Media Report
David Armstrong

Trump’s new tariff war, America’s waning status in Asia, and mixed reviews for BTS – Asian Media Report

Social media ruled addictive by US jury
Rob Nicholls

Social media ruled addictive by US jury

media,  usa

Latest letters to the editor

Time to accept the mantle of climate leadership

Chris Young — Surrey Hills, Vic

The news from the Senate inquiry on climate change and energy, that four senior government ministers in a position to take a climate lead are declining to present the climate challenge openly, provides confirmation that the Albanese government is reluctant to make clear the threats that we, as a nation, face. It’s not as if they needed to fear mass resistance to the idea of climate crisis: Spratt cites reports that confirm that the majority think government must do more. It’s as though the government is avoiding any sort of confrontation. We are being swept headlong towards a climate...
Confusion about antisemitism

keith mitchelson — queensland

The article states that those most vocal/committed to opposing genocide in Gaza in Australia, in Britain and elsewhere are not antisemitic, but are instead anti-zionist. Yet the article seems to slide into repeating the accusation that such people are antisemitic. There is reference to surveys produced by pro-Israeli lobby groups with data claiming that antisemitism is on the rise. This is propaganda which unaccountably is not refuted nor analysed. It ignores the reality that the pro-Israel lobby claim all anti-genocidal expression as antisemitism, not as anti the actions of successive Israeli governments.
Drivers want help to buy electric trucks

Lesley Walker — Northcote

Pearls and Irritations readers might be interested to know that the Australian Trucking Association (11 industry associations representing 60,000 trucking businesses and 200,000 people working in the road freight sector) backs the move to electric trucks. Before last year’s election the ATA wrote: “The science is in. The world’s greenhouse gas emissions are changing the climate, and a global effort is needed to reduce emissions. . . That’s why the next Australian Government should (among other things) encourage new truck purchasers to buy electric with a voucher scheme covering half the price gap between comparable electric and conventional truck...
The politics of grievance

Fiona Colin — Melbourne

While the Coalition may be “building their own irrelevance”, perhaps it is not via its climate-change denial, as this did not deter last weekend around 22 per cent of South Australians voting One Nation first. The fact that SA is a global leader in renewable energy was not on the minds of voters, just ‘the vibe’ of Pauline Hanson’s politics of grievance. She utterly rejects the science of climate change, believing there is insufficient evidence on which to base catastrophic predictions – never mind overwhelming scientific consensus to the contrary. The 2025 Senate inquiry on Information Integrity on Climate...

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Employment 39 Finance 5 Health 1559 History 85 Immigration 995 Indigenous Affairs 390 Israel Palestine 1557
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Review 67 The Human Future 80 Our Top Five Each Week 2522 USA 742 World 1710