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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.

The fuel crisis won’t save the Coalition. It might finish them
Kos Samaras

The fuel crisis won’t save the Coalition. It might finish them

Cost-of-living pressure will not automatically shift votes to the Coalition, as culturally aligned voters begin drifting toward alternatives that project conviction and stability.

Catholics lag behind as the first woman appointed to lead the Anglican church
Frank Brennan

Catholics lag behind as the first woman appointed to lead the Anglican church

The installation of a female Archbishop of Canterbury highlights the Catholic Church’s continued hesitation on women’s leadership and the need to listen more closely to women’s voices.

The three phases of Trump’s quagmire in Iran
Steven Harper

The three phases of Trump’s quagmire in Iran

Trump’s defenders argue that his contradictory actions are strategic. It’s more likely that panic has him flailing. His gut instinct led him to make a colossal mistake, and he has no idea what to do next.


John Menadue

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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.

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.

Bernie Sanders: "No kings"
Bernie Sanders

Bernie Sanders: "No kings"

Bernie Sanders warns that the US faces a choice between democracy and concentrated power, urging resistance to authoritarianism, oligarchy and war.

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.



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.

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.


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


Latest letters to the editor

Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall

John Mosig — Kew, Victoria

It’s almost laughable how humanity can turn its back on the existential threat presented by our dependence on fossil fuels, our pandering to our baser nature, and our worship of technology for technology’s sake. Once again Julian Cribb draws our attention to the dire straits into which we’ve blithely sailed. Maybe it was always going to be the conclusion of the human experiment. As Peggy Lee hauntingly asked back in the 1960s: Is that all there is? Now we’ve explored deep into the universe and touched the edge of infinity, is our role here on Earth done? Now we’ve...
Making preparations

Lesley Armstrong — Bathurst NSW

Australia’s well known reliance on diesel fuel for long haul transportation and, its remote location at the end of global supply chains has me wondering what governments of all persuasions have been doing in recent years? Surely, with the advent of Covid, the global shocks of the Ukraine War and the increasingly erratic, shoot from the hip style politics coming out of Washington would have been red flags for someone in Canberra that we need to “war game” a range of catastrophic scenarios so if one does, God forbid, occur, there is a national blue print that can be...
The effects of hubristic overreach

Hal Duell — Alice Springs

Before the current stage of the Yankee/Zionist war against Iran kicked off, the Straits of Hormuz were open to tankers regardless of their origin. All the big companies mentioned in the article were thriving. The US military umbrella was deemed sufficient to protect that status quo. Then the Yankee/Zionists attacked Iran for no good reason, killing Presidents and school children alike. Immediately Iran closed the Straits to all but non-belligerents, bombed those Gulf monarchies hosting US military bases causing a massive exodus of companies and their money toward Hong Kong, and exposed that military umbrella as being leaky. ...
Decent honourable Australians

Les Macdonald — Balmain NSW 2041

As Jack so beautifully puts it, in an era of political banality we need examples of what it means to be a decent, honourable and exemplary Australian that is something for us all to strive to emulate. Mickey J was just such an Australian, as was Fred and as is Gabi. May their legacy continue to enrich us culturally, politically and socially!