Former defence leaders say oil wars threaten our security, and climate change deepens the danger
Ian Dunlop,  David Spratt

Former defence leaders say oil wars threaten our security, and climate change deepens the danger

In full-page statements in the national media today, 19 Australian security practitioners and former Defence leaders have published an Open Letter on why Australia’s dependence on fossil fuels is a critical economic and security vulnerability.

Recent articles in Politics

Treatment of Iranian asylum seekers reeks of contradictions
Abul Rizvi

Treatment of Iranian asylum seekers reeks of contradictions

Australia quickly offered protection to Iranian women footballers who drew global attention. At the same time, new migration laws aim to prevent other Iranian visa holders from even reaching Australia.

Off to war in West Asia we go (again)
Cameron Leckie

Off to war in West Asia we go (again)

Deploying an RAAF Wedgetail to West Asia risks making Australia a co-belligerent in the US-Israel war against Iran while exposing the country to serious strategic and economic consequences.

Selective compassion in Australia’s refugee policy
Nail Aykan

Selective compassion in Australia’s refugee policy

Australia’s decision to grant humanitarian visas to Iranian footballers highlights how refugee policy often rewards cases that fit convenient political narratives.

Australia, Iran and the politics of evasion
Paddy Gourley

Gourley on Government

Australia, Iran and the politics of evasion

Political evasions and half-truths are shaping Australia’s response to the US-Israel attack on Iran, undermining honest debate about legality and policy.

A mosque, a meal and the strength of Australian community
Mainul Haque

A mosque, a meal and the strength of Australian community

A shared Ramadan meal in Canberra shows how everyday encounters and neighbourly goodwill quietly build social cohesion in multicultural Australia.

How US bases make Australia part of the Iran war
Peter Cronau

How US bases make Australia part of the Iran war

Australia’s role in supporting the US-Israel war against Iran with the hosting of a string of US military bases across the country is a critical contribution to the US war machine.

Renewables winning the energy race – but losing the messaging battle
Giles Parkinson

Renewables winning the energy race – but losing the messaging battle

Clean energy investment is accelerating rapidly worldwide, but the fossil fuel industry is spending billions each year shaping public debate and attacking renewables.

Escaping the tough-on-crime media trap
Jane Anderson

Escaping the tough-on-crime media trap

Decades of tough-on-crime rhetoric have narrowed political debate, but safer communities may depend on shifting the conversation toward prevention, accountability and repair.

Albanese’s politics of avoidance
John Menadue

Albanese’s politics of avoidance

From AUKUS to Gaza and now Iran, the government’s instinct has been to avoid political traps rather than confront hard choices – and voters are drifting away.

How to lose an election: The 2025 Liberal Party election review
Marian Sawer

How to lose an election: The 2025 Liberal Party election review

The leaked review shows how chaotic campaign management and policy announcements ignoring key demographics cost the Coalition the election.

If China is Iran's 'most powerful ally,' then Australia must be China's
Fred Zhang

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.

Going for the jugular – the energy shock is coming
Eugene Doyle

Going for the jugular – the energy shock is coming

The Strait of Hormuz carries the lifeblood of the global economy – and war with Iran risks turning a geopolitical conflict into a worldwide economic shock.



More from Politics