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Both Israel and Iran have vowed to escalate their attacks on one another after several days of devastating blows. Neither side appears to want to back down, even as the world appeals for calm.
So, how far could this war go? Middle East expert Ian Parmeter says Israel’s leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, has two main aims – destroying Iran’s nuclear program and forcing a regime change in Tehran.
Is either achievable, though? Parmeter has his doubts. And he says more concerning questions could come after the fighting stops.
The impact of the fighting is already starting to have an effect on oil prices. And as Joaquin Vespignani explains, the countries most reliant on oil imports – especially those in Asia – are most exposed to a shock.
Although Australia does not import oil directly from Iran, petrol and other prices will rise as a result of the tensions. Agriculture, logistics, aviation and construction are among the industries that will be hit, with higher operating costs likely to be passed on to consumers.
PS. There are just two weeks left in our end-of-financial-year appeal. Your tax-deductible donation will help keep independent, expert-led journalism free for everyone.
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Justin Bergman
International Affairs Editor
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Ian Parmeter, Australian National University
There are few clear paths to an immediate end to the fighting between Israel and Iran. And what comes after the war could be even more concerning.
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Joaquin Vespignani, University of Tasmania
Despite not relying on Iran for its oil supplies, petrol and other prices in Australia will rise due to the global impact of the Israel–Iranian war.
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Ali Mamouri, Deakin University
After such a devastating attack from Israel, Iran’s leaders see no choice but to fight back. Any sign of weakness would severely undermine the regime’s legitimacy at home.
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Thalia Anthony, University of Technology Sydney; Eddie Cubillo, The University of Melbourne
Indigenous people are again grieving the deaths of loved ones in custody. Would they have occurred if the royal commission recommendations had been fully implemented?
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Colette Southam, Bond University
Australia is awash with cash looking for investment opportunities. So why do small and medium-sized businesses often struggle to access it?
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Peter Breadon, Grattan Institute; Elizabeth Baldwin, Grattan Institute
Too many people miss out on seeing specialist doctors, while others face long waits or high costs. A new Grattan Institute report outlines a blueprint for reform.
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Steve Petrie, Swinburne University of Technology
The NISAR satellite will be able to detect centimetre-sized changes on Earth’s surface, providing crucial data for agriculture and climate modelling.
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Deepika Mathur, Charles Darwin University; Robin Gregory, Charles Darwin University
Older rooftop solar systems are being scrapped – often well before the end of their useful life. Establishing a product stewardship scheme is part of the solution.
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Politics + Society
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Amin Saikal, Victoria University
Trump had good reason to try to constrain Netanyahu while nuclear talks with Iran proceeded, but Israel decided instead to try to behead the ‘octopus’.
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Thomas Corben, University of Sydney
Trump may push Albanese on defence spending, but America needs its allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific perhaps more than anywhere else in the world.
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Health + Medicine
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Hassan Vally, Deakin University
When a plane crashes, it’s natural to question just how safe flying really is. Here’s what the data shows – and why we often perceive the risk to be greater than it is.
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Erin Smith, La Trobe University
Being a sole survivor of a mass casualty may have its own complex psychological challenges.
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Keersten Fitzgerald, University of Sydney; Melissa Kang, University of Sydney
The length of your vagina can change with age, hormones and sexual arousal.
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Environment + Energy
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Dana M Bergstrom, University of Wollongong
Emperor penguin populations are falling much faster than expected. Ice is melting beneath their chicks before they’re ready.
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Conrad Pilditch, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau; Elizabeth Macpherson, University of Canterbury; Joanne Ellis, University of Waikato; Karen Fisher, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau; Karin Bryan, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau; Rachael Mortiaux, University of Canterbury; Simon Francis Thrush, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
Two international ocean science and policy meetings this month have called on nations to be more ambitious in their efforts to protect and restore marine ecosystems.
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Science + Technology
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Natasha Heap, University of Southern Queensland
As history has shown, publicly speculating about a disaster when there is so little evidence available is more than just unhelpful.
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Guido Carim Junior, Griffith University
Hundreds are dead after a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into a residential building moments after takeoff.
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Books + Ideas
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Adrian Esterman, University of South Australia
Vaccine Nation is a timely, urgent and often deeply personal account of vaccination’s role in our world.
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Your Say
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No deal
"In the era where the US Defence Secretary is hinting that he has plans to take Greenland by force, are we really sure that we want to commit to AUKUS? And what would that commitment mean for the US if it can be ’reviewed’ at any time, by any administration? Keep the US an ally, but let’s not be a vassal state."
Alex Craig
Friends elsewhere
"AUKUS came at the expense of a submarine contract with France, the cancellation of which gave us nothing for a whole lot of money. With the US no longer a reliable ally under Trump, we should be sending a clear message that we won’t compromise or bargain on the deal, or scrap it."
Leigh Scott
Capital gains for public transport
"Housing affordability cannot simply be addressed by reducing regulation to facilitate more development. We should also look at increasing windfall gain taxes, like capital gains, so that governments can finance the public transport infrastructure necessary to support greater density by recovering some of the windfall gains that flow to landowners from the up-zonings that infrastructure enables."
John Moratelli
We'd love to hear from you. You can email us with your thoughts on our stories and each day we'll publish an edited selection.
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Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
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Contract
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University of Sydney
Camperdown NSW, Australia
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Full Time
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Victoria University
Melbourne VIC, Australia
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Contract
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