Pearlcasts
As we review 2025, the temptation is to look for neat summaries and settled conclusions.
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19 March 2026
The weaponisation of antisemitism is making Jews less safe
Revulsion at Israel’s actions in Gaza is driving a global rise in antisemitism, while efforts to conflate criticism of Israel with hatred of Jews are deepening the danger.
19 March 2026
A bold plan to fix Australia’s research and innovation system – but will it deliver?
A major review calls for sweeping reform of Australia’s research and innovation system – but questions remain about delivery, priorities and impact.
19 March 2026
From hubris to holy war – the dangerous logic behind the Iran conflict
The language and beliefs driving the US–Israel war on Iran point to escalation, not restraint – with global consequences.
19 March 2026
Bill Shorten’s university proposal breaks the deadlock – but design will decide its value
Bill Shorten’s proposal for a university fund tackles a long-standing funding problem – but its impact will depend on how it is designed and delivered.
19 March 2026
Wartime resilience already exists in multicultural Australia
As fuel and supply pressures build, multicultural Australia offers practical lessons in restraint, cooperation and resilience – but policy has yet to catch up.
19 March 2026
Private health insurance isn’t working – and the numbers show it
Premiums are rising far faster than official increases, coverage is narrowing and hospitals are under strain – Australia’s private health model is failing.
19 March 2026
The government is sanitising Australia’s involvement in the Iran war
Australia’s support for US and Israeli action against Iran highlights a growing reliance on military responses over diplomacy and international law.
19 March 2026
ACT justice system on the brink from chronic underfunding
Legal Aid, prosecutors and the courts are all under pressure, raising concerns about fairness, workload and the effective operation of the ACT justice system.
19 March 2026
From ‘Mission Accomplished’ to 'We’ve won but haven't won enough' – the marketing of forever wars
The rhetoric surrounding the war with Iran echoes the propaganda used to justify Iraq – a conflict that cost the life of the author’s husband, FLT Paul Pardoel.
19 March 2026
ABC’s National Forum fails its first test on antisemitism
The ABC’s new flagship forum failed to interrogate key claims and perspectives on antisemitism, leaving major gaps in a critical national debate.
19 March 2026
A war without clear objectives is turning against Trump
With no clear objective and mounting economic and political costs, the case for ending the Iran war is becoming overwhelming.
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Latest on Palestine and Israel
19 March 2026
The weaponisation of antisemitism is making Jews less safe
Revulsion at Israel’s actions in Gaza is driving a global rise in antisemitism, while efforts to conflate criticism of Israel with hatred of Jews are deepening the danger.
19 March 2026
ABC’s National Forum fails its first test on antisemitism
The ABC’s new flagship forum failed to interrogate key claims and perspectives on antisemitism, leaving major gaps in a critical national debate.
18 March 2026
Mary Kostakidis case heads to court after mediation fails
A failed mediation means a high-profile discrimination complaint over social media posts about Israel will now be decided in court.
18 March 2026
Why did Dennis Richardson walk away from the antisemitism commission?
Dennis Richardson’s resignation from the antisemitism royal commission has been widely portrayed as a setback, but the episode raises deeper questions about the inquiry.
15 March 2026
Antisemitism: “It’s a trick. We always use it.”
Public debate about genocide in Gaza is increasingly dominated by claims of antisemitism. The result is a political climate where outrage at Israel’s actions is recast as prejudice.
15 March 2026
Iran war – controlling the narrative
Claims that groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah are simply terrorist organisations reflect a political narrative that obscures the context of occupation and resistance.
10 March 2026
The Albanese controversy shows how universities have lost their way
A cancelled venue for a UN rapporteur’s appearance highlights how universities are increasingly restricting debate about Israel and Palestine under pressure over antisemitism.
9 March 2026
Diplomacy as cover – how the road to war with Iran was paved
Negotiations with Iran appeared to promise a diplomatic breakthrough, but the launch of Operation Epic Fury suggests the talks served mainly to mask a pre-planned path to war driven by political and strategic pressure.
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 PDFLatest on China
17 March 2026
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.
14 March 2026
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.
11 March 2026
If China is Iran's 'most powerful ally,' then Australia must be China's
A media analysis asks why China hasn’t defended Iran. But the real puzzle is why anyone assumes Beijing has a military obligation to do so.
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Latest letters to the editor
The March of Folly
Peter Sheehy — Blackheath NSW
Albanese’s politics of avoidance
Tony Simons — Balmain
The real reason for the US-Iran War
Julian Cribb — Canberra, ACT
Albanese’s politics of avoidance
Tony Simons — Balmain NSW 2041