Category: Editorials

Iran is under pressure from Australia at a pivotal moment – time is running out to strike a nuclear deal

By Ali Mamouri, Research Fellow, Middle East Studies, Deakin University In an extraordinary announcement, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Iran directed at least two antisemitic attacks in Australia, including the firebombing of a synagogue, in an attempt to sow discord and undermine social cohesion in the country. Iran’s ambassador has been expelled, and Australia … Continue reading “Iran is under pressure from Australia at a pivotal moment – time is running out to strike a nuclear deal”

Australia says Iran was behind two antisemitic attacks; Iranian ambassador expelled

By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Australia’s national security service has determined the Iranian government directed at least two antisemitic attacks in Australia – on Lewis Continental Kitchen in Sydney, and the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne. It’s likely the regime has been behind more attacks, according to the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation … Continue reading “Australia says Iran was behind two antisemitic attacks; Iranian ambassador expelled”

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps will be proscribed as a terrorist organisation. What does this mean?

By Keiran Hardy, Associate Professor, Griffith Criminology Institute, Griffith University In a joint press conference, ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Iran orchestrated two antisemitic attacks on Australian soil: the October 2024 attack on Sydney’s Lewis Continental Kitchen and the firebombing of the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne in December 2024. … Continue reading “The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps will be proscribed as a terrorist organisation. What does this mean?”

Iran drove at least two antisemitic attacks – Albanese government expels ambassador

By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Australia’s national security service has determined the Iranian government directed at least two antisemitic attacks in Australia – on Lewis Continental Kitchen in Sydney, and the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne. It’s likely the regime has been behind more attacks, according to the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation … Continue reading “Iran drove at least two antisemitic attacks – Albanese government expels ambassador”

Hossein Asgari’s Desolation speaks powerfully of the destructiveness of war and the hope that lies in fiction

By Michelle Hamadache, Director of Creative Writing, Macquarie University Hossein Asgari’s Desolation tells the story of Amin, an Iranian man whose life and family are shattered when the USS Vincennes shoots down an Iranian passenger plane in 1988. The plane was carrying 290 passengers as well as crew, all of whom were killed. Among the … Continue reading “Hossein Asgari’s Desolation speaks powerfully of the destructiveness of war and the hope that lies in fiction”

Your say: week beginning August 25

By Judy Ingham, Newsletter Producer, The Conversation Every day, we publish a selection of your emails in our newsletter. We’d love to hear from you, you can email us at yoursay@theconversation.edu.au Monday August 25 Political complexity “Four ways to pressure Israel makes sense but fails to address the difficulties referred to in Martin Kear’s article … Continue reading “Your say: week beginning August 25”

Why gold may be losing its shine as a safe-haven investment

By David McMillan, Professor in Finance, University of Stirling The price of gold reached a historic high in April and remains close to that value. Conventional investing wisdom puts gold as a “safe-haven” asset – one that investors move towards in times of crises as they desert higher-risk assets such as stocks. But in August, … Continue reading “Why gold may be losing its shine as a safe-haven investment”

With eyes on re-election, Netanyahu’s fights with world leaders aim to distract from his many political problems

By Ran Porat, Affiliate Researcher, The Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation, Monash University As the longest-serving Israeli prime minister (17 years), Benjamin Netanyahu is famous for his political wizardry and survival skills. But he is also a highly controversial figure with questionable moral standards and legacy. His latest term in office, beginning in late 2022, … Continue reading “With eyes on re-election, Netanyahu’s fights with world leaders aim to distract from his many political problems”

the paradise pleasure gardens of ancient Persia

By Peter Edwell, Associate Professor in Ancient History, Macquarie University Some of the most enduring ancient myths in the Persian world were centred around gardens of almost unimaginable beauty and opulence. The biblical Garden of Eden and the Epic of Gilgamesh’s Garden of the Gods are prominent examples. In these myths, paradise was an opulent … Continue reading “the paradise pleasure gardens of ancient Persia”

Did Trump really resolve six conflicts in a matter of months? We spoke to the experts to find out

By Rachael Jolley, International Affairs Editor, The Conversation The US president, Donald Trump, claims to have “solved six wars in six months”. To work out if there was any substance to his claims, The Conversation international affairs editors Sam Phelps and Rachael Jolley interviewed six academic experts on those regions to find out what Trump … Continue reading “Did Trump really resolve six conflicts in a matter of months? We spoke to the experts to find out”