Reports from Israeli sources suggest Donald Trump is considering a multibillion-dollar payment to Iran to end the Strait of Hormuz blockade, exposing divisions within the US administration and tensions with Israel.
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Blog
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A $25 billion offer? Inside Trump’s push to end the Hormuz crisis
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The ‘little’ things that matter – Message from the Editor
There were lots of ‘big’ stories this week, in the wider world and in P&I. The assassination attempt at the White House dinner, the anniversary of the Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania, rising debate over our place in the world in our Foreign Policy Rethink series, and constant violations of the Israel/Lebanon ceasefire. The list goes on. (more…)
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Why TikTok is being ruined by its new American owners
TikTok’s transformation under US ownership is reshaping it into a platform for censorship, AI exploitation and political influence, undermining free expression. (more…)
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Why a 73 year old Jew had himself arrested
After being arrested in Brisbane for wearing a T-shirt that read ‘Jews for a free Palestine from the river to the sea’, a 73-year-old Jewish protester writes that the law is suppressing dissent and targeting supporters of human rights. (more…)
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Independent media probably won’t benefit from the new social media tax
A proposed levy on tech giants could deliver hundreds of millions for Australian journalism, but current settings risk directing the funds to large media companies rather than independent media. (more…)
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The King’s speech: hereditary power comes to rescue democracy
King Charles’ address to the US Congress highlighted the tension between democratic ideals and inherited power, revealing deeper strains in the western political and economic order. (more…)
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‘More destruction of science’: Trump fires every member of US National Science Board
Donald Trump has dismissed every member of the National Science Board, escalating a broader push to dismantle independent scientific advice and cut research funding across the US government. (more…)
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Rethinking Australia’s place in the world in an era of fracture
As part of our Foreign Policy Rethink series, Joseph Camilleri sets out the case for breaking with a militarised, US-aligned mindset and building a more independent, cooperative approach to security and global engagement. (more…)
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Iran is holding the line – and the US strategy is unlikely to break it
Sixty days into the conflict, Iran has held its ground in the Strait of Hormuz, while US pressure has failed to force concessions – raising the risk of escalation, oil disruption and wider global instability.
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Contracting strategy to think tanks: catering to America’s fantasies of even more war
US think tanks play a central role in shaping military strategy and future conflicts, embedding a long-standing logic of war that allies are expected to support.
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Mission creep in the Gulf shows Australia hasn’t learned from past wars
Australia has again joined a US-led conflict with little transparency or debate, raising the risk of mission creep, economic costs and another drawn-out military failure. (more…)
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Trump is a product of the media age – and a master of it
Donald Trump’s rise and rhetoric reflect a profound shift in how media shapes behaviour, power and public discourse in the digital age. (more…)
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The real war is misinformation – and it’s blocking climate action
A global disinformation campaign is undermining climate action, weakening democracy and posing a direct threat to human survival, according to new security analysis. (more…)
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Supercharging our AI Safety Institute now could make all the difference
A modest increase in funding for Australia’s AI Safety Institute could position the country as a global leader in a fast-growing industry, while managing risks and unlocking major economic gains. (more…)
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Multiculturalism should shape Australia’s foreign policy
In the latest of our Foreign Policy Rethink series, Jocelyn Chey argues that Australia’s foreign policy must better reflect its multicultural society and leverage its diversity in international engagement. (more…)
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Virtue, not values, defines who we are
In debates over repatriation, protest and politics, the real test is not what we say we value, but the virtues we are willing to uphold as a society.
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Open letter to the Prime Minister – Call for withdrawal of diplomatic relations with Israel
An open letter from Australians for Humanity urges the government to suspend diplomatic relations with Israel until it complies with international law and humanitarian standards. (more…)
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Australia risks weakening itself by overcorrecting on China
Australia’s economic relationship with China remains strong, but growing restrictions on investment and research risk undermining long-term economic and national security. (more…)
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The unpromised land down under
A little-known proposal to settle Jewish refugees in Western Australia highlights how different history might have been – and the role of racism in shaping Australia’s decisions.
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The gig economy promises freedom. The reality is different
What looks like reckless behaviour on the streets reflects a deeper system of incentives in the gig economy that rewards speed, constant availability and risk-taking. (more…)
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Wran showed how Labor can win and govern
Fifty years after Neville Wran’s rise to power, his leadership offers enduring lessons in political strategy, discipline and understanding the electorate.
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Recapturing the decency dimension of Australian foreign policy
In the latest of our Foreign Policy Rethink series, Gareth Evans argues that Australia’s foreign policy must give greater weight to being, and being seen as, a good international citizen. (more…)
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It’s time to tax gas exports in the national interest
The best way to stop the massive under-taxation of Australian LNG would be to fix the petroleum resource rent tax, but a quick second best would be a tax on export revenue. (more…)
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Major parties must adapt or be left behind
Australian politics is shifting towards issue-based campaigning funded by small donors, leaving major parties struggling to adapt to a rapidly changing political environment. (more…)
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Australia can’t have self-reliant defence and nuclear submarines
In the latest in our Foreign Policy Rethink series, Mike Gilligan argues that Australia’s renewed focus on defence self-reliance is incompatible with its deepening commitment to AUKUS and nuclear submarines. (more…)
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Time for Premier Minns to “move on” his anti-protest laws
Court rulings have struck down NSW protest laws as unconstitutional, reaffirming that peaceful protest is a vital component of democratic life and cannot be curtailed by government overreach. (more…)
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Fossil fuel myths are slowing the energy transition
Misleading claims about renewables, backed by the influence of the fossil fuel industry, are slowing Australia’s transition to a cleaner and more secure energy system. (more…)
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Nuclear disaster threat posed by war in sharp relief 40 years after Chernobyl
Attacks on nuclear facilities in Ukraine are highlighting the growing risks of nuclear power in a world marked by conflict, instability and climate extremes.
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Australia’s foreign policy needs renovation, not demolition
In the latest of our Foreign Policy Rethink series, Peter Varghese outlines how alliance, region and multilateralism must be recalibrated for a more contested and uncertain global order. (more…)
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PM urged to act as court clears path for Duggan extradition
A court ruling has cleared the way for extradition, but the decision now turns political – and whether the prime minister steps in to protect an Australian citizen. (more…)