Time for Foreign Minister Wong to put her foot down
Paddy Gourley

Time for Foreign Minister Wong to put her foot down

In an ideal world, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) should be the government’s principal agency in seeing that relations with other countries best serve Australia’s interests.

The collapse of civilisation
Mahathir bin Mohamad

The collapse of civilisation

Days after turning 100, former Malaysian prime minister Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad posted his reflections on the state of the world.

Trump makes tariffs example of Korea, Japan – Asian Media Report
David Armstrong

Trump makes tariffs example of Korea, Japan – Asian Media Report

In Asian media this week: No trade deal exceptions for US allies. Plus: An expert in a government of flunkies; Sex-scandal monks had lives of status and privilege; Corruption stymies Myanmar earthquake recovery; Anwar’s leadership glow starting to fade; 'Comrade' is out-of-fashion in Communist China.

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Common interests the basis for stronger China-Australia relations
SCMP Editorial

Common interests the basis for stronger China-Australia relations

Neither a port controversy nor any third-party interference cast a shadow over the trade and business focus of Albanese’s trip to China.

12 years on, are we not yet tired of cruel policies towards asylum-seekers?
Sophie Singh

12 years on, are we not yet tired of cruel policies towards asylum-seekers?

In Australia, 2025, Progressive Patriotism is now, apparently, our political modus operandi and, as Anthony Albanese ambitiously explained, it can be “a symbol for the globe in how humanity can move forward”.

Tasmania’s snap election 2025: How did we get here and where are we going?
Richard Herr

Tasmania’s snap election 2025: How did we get here and where are we going?

Tasmanians are going to the polls on 19 July as the result of a snap election more than two years early.

Collateral damage? Focus on the principle, not the fallout
Duncan Graham

Collateral damage? Focus on the principle, not the fallout

Among his many defects, Donald Trump is a vengeful obsessive. Which is why poor Indonesians (that's about 40 million of the 285 million rice-eaters) could soon be paying more for their essential starches.

Antisemitism, free speech and a dangerous redefinition: How one envoy is rewriting the rules
Bernadette Zaydan

Antisemitism, free speech and a dangerous redefinition: How one envoy is rewriting the rules

The recent synagogue fire in Melbourne is being used as a blueprint for sweeping changes to Australian law.

Slaying the juggernauts
Stewart Sweeney

Slaying the juggernauts

Barbara Preston’s recent reflection on Australia’s school funding system offers a quietly devastating insight into the paradox of public education reform.

Israel's final Gaza solution
Cathy Peters

Israel's final Gaza solution

Reports of a shocking Israeli Gaza solution that aims to ethnically cleanse Gaza of all Palestinians by establishing so-called Humanitarian Transit Areas or concentration camps has surfaced in Israeli and other media.

The Tasmanian election on 19 July won’t fix the mess
John Menadue

The Tasmanian election on 19 July won’t fix the mess

A Joint Commonwealth/State Health Commission could help address health failure.

Latest on Palestine and Israel

Antisemitism, free speech and a dangerous redefinition: How one envoy is rewriting the rules
Bernadette Zaydan

Antisemitism, free speech and a dangerous redefinition: How one envoy is rewriting the rules

The recent synagogue fire in Melbourne is being used as a blueprint for sweeping changes to Australian law.

Israel's final Gaza solution
Cathy Peters

Israel's final Gaza solution

Reports of a shocking Israeli Gaza solution that aims to ethnically cleanse Gaza of all Palestinians by establishing so-called Humanitarian Transit Areas or concentration camps has surfaced in Israeli and other media.

Despite denials, Australia has exported F-35 parts to Israel
Peter Cronau,  Kellie Tranter

Despite denials, Australia has exported F-35 parts to Israel

Leaked documents show Canberra has been supplying Israel with the means to maintain F-35 fighter jets so it can continue its genocidal campaign in Gaza, Peter Cronau and Kellie Tranter report.

An ambitious plan to combat antisemitism or an effective plan to silence Israel's critics?
Sawsan Madina

An ambitious plan to combat antisemitism or an effective plan to silence Israel's critics?

I watched the 7.30 interview with the special envoy to combat antisemitism, Jillian Segal, with mounting alarm. By the end of the interview, I was afraid for the future of Australia.

Israeli settlers kill, destroy and steal with impunity
Helen McCue

Israeli settlers kill, destroy and steal with impunity

This week there was another attack on a religious institution. No, not in Australia but in the ancient Christian village of Taibeh, a Palestinian village in the Occupied West Bank.

The Israel lobby stands loudly condemned for its silence
Jeffrey Loewenstein

The Israel lobby stands loudly condemned for its silence

Reflect for a moment, as you read this piece, what is happening in Gaza.

Systematic bias: how Western media reproduces the Israeli narrative
Refaat Ibrahim

Systematic bias: how Western media reproduces the Israeli narrative

If words shape our consciousness, then the media holds the keys to minds.

Jillian Segal 'won’t dictate' to husband over $50,000 to Advance
Anthony Klan

Jillian Segal 'won’t dictate' to husband over $50,000 to Advance

The special envoy seeking to dictate the nation’s speech has suggested it was her husband who was responsible for $50,000 given to far-right group Advance — and that she won’t “dictate” his actions.

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

Common interests the basis for stronger China-Australia relations
SCMP Editorial

Common interests the basis for stronger China-Australia relations

Neither a port controversy nor any third-party interference cast a shadow over the trade and business focus of Albanese’s trip to China.

Round up the usual Chinese suspects
Fred Zhang

Anti-China Media Watch

Round up the usual Chinese suspects

It’s a big week for headlines – and an even bigger week for fear. With Prime Minister Albanese landing in China, our media wasted no time rounding up their usual suspects.

Headline news: Australia and China
Jocelyn Chey

Headline news: Australia and China

The People’s Daily of 16 July featured the meeting between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in top position on page one.

John Menadue

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More from Pearls and Irritations

Sectarian tension, Israeli intervention: What led to the violence in Syria?
Mat Nashed

Sectarian tension, Israeli intervention: What led to the violence in Syria?

Round up the usual Chinese suspects
Fred Zhang

Anti-China Media Watch

Round up the usual Chinese suspects

Despite denials, Australia has exported F-35 parts to Israel
Peter Cronau,  Kellie Tranter

Despite denials, Australia has exported F-35 parts to Israel

Headline news: Australia and China
Jocelyn Chey

Headline news: Australia and China

Navigating a bipolar world
Peter Varghese

Navigating a bipolar world

A memo to Albo on nuclear weapons
John Hallam

A memo to Albo on nuclear weapons

Even Ken Henry’s best ideas can’t fix a system addicted to growth
Stewart Sweeney

Even Ken Henry’s best ideas can’t fix a system addicted to growth

There's nothing 'liberal' about the Liberal Party
Ross Stitt

There's nothing 'liberal' about the Liberal Party

The geopolitical context of Albanese's China visit
Louis Devine

The geopolitical context of Albanese's China visit

Our last, best chance – national environment laws that protect nature and power the net zero economy
Ken Henry

Our last, best chance – national environment laws that protect nature and power the net zero economy

Donald Trump and his minions may yet do us a favour in ending AUKUS
John Menadue

Donald Trump and his minions may yet do us a favour in ending AUKUS

Albanese can afford to ignore noises and focus on delivering goods for voters
Wanning Sun

Albanese can afford to ignore noises and focus on delivering goods for voters

Latest letters to the editor

Tassie's health problem has been building a long time

Ian Ian De Landelles — Murrays Beach

The issues with the Tasmanian health system have been festering for many years. It was obvious from the first time I visited more than 30 years ago and it has become increasingly worse. Even then, retirees were invading our southern isle, as those from Sydney and Melbourne were able to buy substantial, well-located property, often for about half the amount they realised on the sale of their previous home, and so it was a no-brainer if you wanted to leave big city life, while also improving the state of your liquid assets. This trend has only continued, resulting...
Our democracy – taking the easy road to oblivion

Chris Young — Surrey Hills, Vic

Democracy gives a sense of empowerment. Voters feel free to live as they wish – albeit within reasonable limits. But democratic governments rarely take essential, unpopular steps. These days the power of the media seems so intense that governments bow to its will. Too many in the media disseminate misinformation to further proprietorial political goals. And barely-controlled lobbying, supported by substantial political donations, enables powerful interests to wield disproportionate influence over critical policy development. Daniel Andrews achieved some success in avoiding overbearing media influence when he was premier of Victoria, but our federal government, tied to three-year terms,...
Get capitalism under control first

Bob Pearce — Adelaide SA

Great article. The first step in solving all the problems is severing the ties between the capitalists and government. Recognising that the capitalists exist to make a profit/get rich; creating jobs is a by-product, a nuisance. As long as the parliamentary door is open to lobbyists and political donations, the balance will always be in favour of profit. The deportation of modern-day slaves from the US will be the downfall, one way or the other, of capitalist Trump. What we need is more regulation and auditing, not less. As long as the capitalists are complaining about government regulation...
FARMS and Usans

Ian Daniels — Brisbane

The issues of Australia’s over-reliance on the United States of America are, thanks to this article and similar mentions, becoming more mainstream. There are two terms which may assist these changing Australia’s perceptions on this issue. The terms are FARMS (Foreign Aid Replacing Military Spending) and Usan (citizens of the United States of America). FARMS provides a quick way of identifying an area where military spending (commonly misnamed as defence) should be redirected. In this way, the foreign aid — where does it come from” question is answered — and it identifies the greatest evil in the world...

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Arts 119 China 1150 Climate 1355 Commendations 19 Defence 2421 Economy 2717 Education 678
Employment 33 Finance 2 Health 1491 History 47 Immigration 950 Indigenous Affairs 377 Israel Palestine 1141
Media 1770 Podcast 43 Policy 167 Politics 17480 Racism 16 Religion 1214 Review 19
The Human Future 48 Our Top Five Each Week 2047 USA 472 World 1252

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