New research published in the leading international journal Nature Communications has added to the growing evidence that native forest logging in Australia is exacerbating wildfire risks. (more…)
Category: Politics
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The West’s war on Iran
I have visited Iran twice. Once in June 1980 to witness an unprecedented event: the world’s first Islamic Revolution. It was the very start of my writing career. (more…)
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Addressing our wicked problems
If there is one thing that the literature agrees on it is that wicked problems “…are particularly challenging as they transcend the borders of traditional policy domains, involve a wide variety of actors across different scale levels and resist our attempts to solve them”. (more…)
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The illegal attack on Iran
Israel’s consistent attacks on Iran since 2023 have all been illegal, violations of the United Nations Charter (1945). (more…)
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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. (more…)
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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. (more…)
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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. (more…)
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Australia’s quiet role in China-ASEAN dynamics
Southeast Asia’s strategic equilibrium is undergoing unprecedented stress tests. (more…)
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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. (more…)
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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. (more…)
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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. (more…)
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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. (more…)
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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. (more…)
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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. (more…)
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Message from the editor
It has been a big couple of weeks at Pearls and Irritations, featuring some of the biggest issues we have pursued strongly in the past few years: the AUKUS defence deal and the genocide in Palestine, both reaching turning points. (more…)
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The public service under Albanese Mark 2: The good news and the bad
The appointment of Steven Kennedy to PM&C and Jenny Wilkinson to Treasury is welcome news for several reasons. (more…)
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There’s something about Jacqui Lambie
Jacqui Lambie is no Cameron Diaz but the title of one of Diaz’s most loved films, There’s Something about Mary, might be a useful way of thinking about her. There is, after all, definitely something about Jacqui. (more…)
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Is Marles the right fit for defence?
P&I readers don’t need to be told that Defence Minister Richard Marles is floundering when trying to make security links with Indonesia seem as though they’ve “never been in better shape”. (more…)
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Trump’s tariffs look exceptionally bad for Taiwan
The direct impact of the extraordinary, “Liberation Day” US tariff regime is bad for Taiwan. The indirect effects may prove to be graphically worse. (more…)
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Misgivings in the heart of the defence state
On a quiet Wednesday night in Adelaide recently about 50 people met in a church hall to share concerns about the militarisation of their schools and universities. (more…)
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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. (more…)
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Australia’s dependence on the US does not end with Trump
Malcolm Turnbull’s recent Foreign Affairs essay, America’s Allies Must Save Themselves, is a good intervention in the debate about Donald Trump’s impact on global order. (more…)
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PM Albanese promises to restore trust in democracy
But his record does not give grounds for confidence. In his National Press Club address, PM Albanese referred to the “trust deficit” in other democracies such as the US. The clear inference is that Australia does not have a “trust” deficit. (more…)
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Why Australia needs a defence minister
The Virgina class submarine has been repurposed since the Republicans took the White House. So, Australia’s biggest ever military project has entered another stratosphere of farce. (more…)
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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. (more…)
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Environment: WA addicted to producing, burning and exporting gas
Albanese government eager to support WA’s gas addiction. Tasmania’s natural environment trashed by deer and loggers. Globally, one square kilometre of trees cleared every 10 minutes. Ecological and spiritual values converge in Chinese temples. (more…)
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Perhaps Marles should ask the US why it is building up forces around China
It now seems taken for granted that Australia needs to spend a lot more on its military. (more…)
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US progressives say stop supporting ‘rogue genocidal regime’ as Israel wages illegal war on Iran
“Trump must act immediately to suspend all military support to Israel and stop allowing US arms to fuel war crimes, mass civilian death, and regional collapse,” said one critic. (more…)
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Australian Honours: review
Twice a year Government House issues a list of those awarded an honour within the Australian Honours system. The vast majority of those awarded are clearly worthy of recognition, but each time the list appears there is a level of contention. (more…)
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Tasmania in the news for all the wrong reasons
It’s rare that the biggest news in Australian politics emanates from Tasmania. (more…)