The illegal attack on Iran
Vijay Prashad

The illegal attack on Iran

Israel’s consistent attacks on Iran since 2023 have all been illegal, violations of the United Nations Charter (1945).

A century later: a renewed open letter against the return of fascism
400 Scholars From Over 30 Countries - Including 31 Nobel Laureates

A century later: a renewed open letter against the return of fascism

On May 1st 1925, with Mussolini already in power, a group of Italian intellectuals publicly denounced Mussolini’s fascist regime in an open letter.

Nuclear subs taking on water
Jack Waterford

Nuclear subs taking on water

There is every reason for Australia to jump on board the idea of having a review of its AUKUS defence policy.


Donate

In June, support independent media with a one-off tax-deductible donation

For the month of June Pearls and Irritations is running a fundraising campaign through the Australian Cultural Fund. Your donation will support the development of content for topics of particular of interest to Australia - Palestine, China, Climate Change and Immigration Policy and the development of a Young Writer's Handbook to encourage new young writers.

Please make your tax deductible one-off donation here.

Donate

It took more than a century, but women are taking charge of Australia’s economy – here’s why it matters
Duygu Yengin

It took more than a century, but women are taking charge of Australia’s economy – here’s why it matters

For the first time in its 124-year history, Treasury will be led by a woman.

Australia’s quiet role in China-ASEAN dynamics
Sherry Tao Kong

Australia’s quiet role in China-ASEAN dynamics

Southeast Asia’s strategic equilibrium is undergoing unprecedented stress tests.

Universities and the 'definition' of antisemitism
Tony Coady

Universities and the 'definition' of antisemitism

Antisemitism is a despicable phenomenon with a long and dismal history, sadly promoted by significant elements in Christianity for many centuries as well as by other secular ideologies, and we do well to guard against it.

China is increasingly present in US Latin American backyard
John Queripel

China is increasingly present in US Latin American backyard

From the time when US President James Monroe announced what has become known as the Monroe Doctrine in 1823, warning European states to stay out of the hemisphere, the US has considered Latin America to be its backyard.

The Israeli-Iranian conflict: geopolitical transformations and the role of Chinese and Russian support
Refaat Ibrahim

The Israeli-Iranian conflict: geopolitical transformations and the role of Chinese and Russian support

In a world undergoing profound shifts toward multipolarity, the military escalation between Israel and Iran stands out as a clear indicator of the interplay between regional conflicts and the geopolitical interests of global powers.

Imposing meaningful sanctions against Israel is not difficult
Margaret Cassar

Imposing meaningful sanctions against Israel is not difficult

For decades, the Israeli Government has revealed itself impervious to pressure from international bodies like the United Nations and the International Criminal Court of Justice.

Why targeted measures on Israeli officials won’t stop the war in Gaza
Raghid Nahhas

Why targeted measures on Israeli officials won’t stop the war in Gaza

On 14 June 2025, five Western nations — Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Norway, and the United Kingdom — jointly imposed sanctions on two senior Israeli ministers: Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.

Australian society and the conflict for Palestine
Bob Bowker

Australian society and the conflict for Palestine

Australia’s symbolic actions on Palestine may not change the course of the conflict, but they matter deeply at home.

Latest on Palestine and Israel

Imposing meaningful sanctions against Israel is not difficult
Margaret Cassar

Imposing meaningful sanctions against Israel is not difficult

For decades, the Israeli Government has revealed itself impervious to pressure from international bodies like the United Nations and the International Criminal Court of Justice.

Why targeted measures on Israeli officials won’t stop the war in Gaza
Raghid Nahhas

Why targeted measures on Israeli officials won’t stop the war in Gaza

On 14 June 2025, five Western nations — Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Norway, and the United Kingdom — jointly imposed sanctions on two senior Israeli ministers: Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.

Australian society and the conflict for Palestine
Bob Bowker

Australian society and the conflict for Palestine

Australia’s symbolic actions on Palestine may not change the course of the conflict, but they matter deeply at home.

Sanctioning Ben-Gvir and Smotrich is but a tiny, sad step in ending the Gaza massacre
Gideon Levy

Sanctioning Ben-Gvir and Smotrich is but a tiny, sad step in ending the Gaza massacre

Alas and alack! Woe be unto us, for we have sinned: Five countries have imposed sanctions on Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. The war in Gaza will now stop immediately, and maybe the occupation, too, certainly the apartheid.

A naval force to escort humanitarian aid is an act of peace
Stuart Rees

A naval force to escort humanitarian aid is an act of peace

In honour of a brave Gazan fisherwoman Madleen Kulab, the international aid boat of the same name was turned back to an Israeli port.

Why does international justice fail to prosecute war criminals in Gaza?
Refaat Ibrahim

Why does international justice fail to prosecute war criminals in Gaza?

Is documentation enough to achieve justice? Since the onset of the Israeli war on Gaza in October 2023, human rights organisations have relentlessly documented severe violations.

Genocide by starvation
Chris Hedges

Genocide by starvation

This is the end. The final blood-soaked chapter of the genocide. It will be over soon. Weeks. At most.

Palestine and the gravitational politics of erasure
Ghaith Krayem

Palestine and the gravitational politics of erasure

What we are witnessing in Gaza is not only a genocide of lives, but a systematic campaign to obliterate a people’s cultural identity, memory and future.


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

China is increasingly present in US Latin American backyard
John Queripel

China is increasingly present in US Latin American backyard

From the time when US President James Monroe announced what has become known as the Monroe Doctrine in 1823, warning European states to stay out of the hemisphere, the US has considered Latin America to be its backyard.

Prefab collaboration between Australia and China could help tackle housing shortages
Zijian Qi

Prefab collaboration between Australia and China could help tackle housing shortages

Imagine a Lego city, swiftly assembled yet unshakeably strong, its steel modules secured to solid foundations and reinforced with seismic bracing, expertly engineered for both speed and strength.

The cultural and linguistic roots of protest in China
John Hopkins

The cultural and linguistic roots of protest in China

In 1760, the newly established Qing Dynasty was looking to expand Chinese territory by claiming the region of Xinjiang. Many Chinese intellectuals and scholars opposed this.


John Menadue

Support our independent media with your donation

Pearls and Irritations leads the way in raising and analysing vital issues often neglected in mainstream media. Your contribution supports our independence and quality commentary on matters importance to Australia and our region.

Donate

More from Pearls and Irritations


Latest letters to the editor

Corporate law needs to factor in environmental damage

Robert Hinkley — Berry, NSW

It is a mistake to allow corporations to be formed with a directive that their directors should only “act in the[ir] companies' best interests” (as the corporate law now does). Nearly all of Australia’s corporations make money without severely harming the environment. It’s time for Australia’s Parliament to impose an obligation on directors of all companies to make sure their company doesn’t cause severe harm. This can be achieved by adding just 11 words to their existing duty “to act in the best interests of the corporation. Those words are, “but not at the expense of severe damage to...
Can we believe this man?

Geoff Taylor — Karratha

Stewart Sweeney’s article is extremely timely. Just look at the ABC news today: “Shortly after Israel's strikes on Friday, US President Donald Trump said: 'The US had nothing to do with the attack on Iran'. Nothing, that is, except it was forewarned, and that central to Israel's military capability is US funding, US hardware, US intelligence and US technology.” That highlights the seeming perfidy surrounding the US-Iran nuclear and sanctions talks. There is a a further cost to the lives of many innocent people, and the real threat of an expansion of the conflict, drawing in yet...
Right to peaceful protest essential for democracy

Peter Sainsbury — Darling Point

John Menadue’s recommendations for a more robust, more transparent, more participative rather than heavily (allegedly) representative democracy are all sensible, reasonable and much needed. It’s a tragedy and shameful that we cannot rely on either of the major political parties to advance these reforms. In fact, we can be confident that the two major parties will conspire together to avoid most of them or render all but ineffective any that they are dragged kicking and screaming to legislate. Absent from John’s list, although it may be implied in his bill of rights, is enshrining in legislation the right...
Cut the apron strings

Margaret Callinan — Hawthorn VIC 3122

Australia is a remarkably safe country. I disagree. Australia was a remarkably safe country. But since then, the US has infiltrated the ADF and associated entities; We have signed up to handing over billions for subs we won't get and couldn't operate without the US if we did get them; We have increasing numbers of US military bases and facilities on our soil; We joined the US in patrols and military exercises by land and sea perilously close to China's borders, air and sea limits; and We have been painting a bigger and bigger...



Latest from Al Jazeera

How ICE raids echo US wars abroad, with Viet Thanh Nguyen
Viet Thanh Nguyen on how US violence abroad is mirrored in ICE raids, the Israeli assault on Gaza, and protests at home.
US senator introduces bill to curb Trump’s power to go to war with Iran
The measure by Democratic lawmaker Tim Kaine comes as foreign policy hawks call on US to join Israel in attacking Iran.
Borders closing and airspaces shut as Israel-Iran conflict rages
Pakistan closes its border with Iran while Jordan suspends flights but keeps land crossings with Israel operational.
China’s Xi Jinping meets Central Asian leaders: Why their summit matters
China is the region's top trading partner, but Russia and the US both have a presence, too.
IAEA warns Israel-Iran conflict threatens nuclear facilities, diplomacy
Rafael Grossi. head of nuclear watchdog, warns Israeli conflict with Iran 'threatens lives' and risks nuclear fallout.
Fruit and veg threat extends Thailand-Cambodia border row
Thai PM refuses to be 'bullied' as tension flares in a long-running dispute that turned deadly last month.