As the Anzac Day Bugles Echo, It’s Time to Burst Australia’s Defence Complacency | Julianne Schultz
Julianne Schultz argues that Australia’s defence posture has grown complacent despite a volatile global environment. She points to the 2026 National Defence Strategy’s multi‑billion‑dollar equipment spend, yet notes the strategic framework still leans heavily on the US alliance. The recent US‑Israel war on Iran and resulting fuel crisis expose the fragility of regional supply chains, prompting Prime Minister Albanese’s rapid diplomatic trips. Schultz calls for a shift from relying on external security guarantees to building a more independent, region‑focused defence posture.
The Guardian View on Germany, Japan and the End of the Postwar Order: As US Alliances Crumble, a New World...
The Guardian editorial argues that U.S. unpredictability under Donald Trump is eroding the post‑World War II security architecture, prompting allies to recalibrate. Germany unveiled its first comprehensive military strategy since 1945, signaling a major re‑armament and a more assertive NATO role....
Why Are Straight White Men Overrepresented in Positions of Power? | Steve Phillips
Steve Phillips argues that the persistent dominance of straight white American men in leadership is a systemic preference, not a merit‑based outcome. He introduces the acronym SWAMP (Straight White American Male Preference) and proposes SWAMP audits to quantify overrepresentation against...
Picasso’s Guernica Is the Ultimate Emblem of the Horrors of War. It Has No Place in Spain's Partisan Squabbles |...
After 45 years abroad, Picasso’s *Guernica* returned to Spain and now hangs in Madrid’s Reina Sofía museum. The Basque Country’s president has asked for a temporary loan to Bilbao’s Guggenheim to mark the bombing’s 90th anniversary. Madrid’s government rejected the request,...
Long Waits Make for Sicker Patients. Sicker Patients Need More Time in Hospital. Our Health System Needs Urgent Care |...
Australian hospitals are operating at or above full capacity, often exceeding the 85% occupancy level considered safe. Post‑COVID staffing increases have not boosted elective surgery volumes, while clinician burnout has trimmed discretionary effort, extending patient stays. This creates a feedback...
A Major US Court Case Could Help Fix the Ills of Citizens United | David Sirota
A Maine ballot initiative that caps contributions to Super‑PACs has ignited a legal battle that could force the U.S. Supreme Court to revisit the 2010 SpeechNow decision, which removed limits on contributions to independent‑expenditure committees. The case builds on the...
Lesbians Are Reclaiming Madonna as We Await Her New Album, Confessions on a Dance Floor: Part II | Tiff Bakker
Madonna’s surprise Instagram purge ignited speculation that her long‑awaited album Confessions on a Dance Floor: Part II is imminent. The new record, slated for July 3, follows the release of the lead single “I Feel So Free.” While the pop star’s comeback...
Museums Have a Duty to Inspire the Creatives of the Future. At V&A East, I’ve Made that My Mission |...
Gus Casely‑Hayford, director of the newly opened V&A East, frames the museum as a civic institution built with and for young East Londoners. The museum consulted over 30,000 local youths, shaping its design, programming and new‑work commissions such as Tania Bruguera’s stained‑glass...
When I Hear an Australian Politician Announce a Tough New Immigration Policy, I Think Dystopia | Yumna Kassab
Yumna Kassab, a Lebanese‑Australian novelist, reflects on Australia’s contrasting national and migrant narratives. She argues that the country’s self‑portrait of mateship and fairness masks a conditional belonging for migrants, who are expected to assimilate and stay invisible. Recent tough immigration...
As a Catholic, I’ve Struggled with the Church - but I Applaud the Pope’s Call for Peace | Margaret Sullivan
The article reflects on the author’s renewed Catholic affiliation, sparked by Pope Leo’s outspoken call for peace and his willingness to confront President Donald Trump’s divisive rhetoric. Leo, the first American pope, leverages his social‑justice platform and massive social‑media reach...
Sanctions Don’t Result in Regime Change. Whether Against Iran or Russia, Western Countries Need Shrewder Tactics | Simon Jenkins
Western sanctions on Iran, Russia and other authoritarian states have failed to spark regime change, and in many cases have reinforced the targeted governments. The article argues that sanctions have slowed British growth, bolstered anti‑Western blocs like BRICS, and triggered...
I Want to Reform Our Country because a Strong Germany Is a Precondition for a Strong Europe | Lars Klingbeil
German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil outlined a sweeping reform agenda aimed at bolstering Germany’s economic and military sovereignty as a foundation for a stronger Europe. The plan includes a €500 bn investment fund for infrastructure, a relaxed debt‑brake to finance defence,...
Protest Is Not a Flaw in Democracy and Fear Cannot Be Made Law. The NSW Supreme Court Ruling Upholds These...
The New South Wales Supreme Court struck down a controversial law that gave police sweeping authority to declare areas off‑limits to protests, deeming it unconstitutional. The legislation, introduced after the Bondi attack, was used to curb demonstrations, notably those supporting...
Behind the Bluster, Donald Trump Desperately Needs a Peace Deal with Iran. Here's a Solution | Rajan Menon
Former President Donald Trump faces mounting pressure to avert a renewed US‑Iran conflict after a failed Islamabad negotiation and a self‑imposed naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Professor Rajan Menon outlines a four‑point framework: recognize Iran’s right to limited...
Why Were These Two US Immigration Judges Fired? | Seth Stern
The Justice Department fired immigration judges Roopal Patel and Nina Froes after they ruled against deportations of immigrant journalists and activists, signaling a shift toward politicized adjudication. Both judges upheld First‑Amendment protections for non‑citizens, while Judge Blake Doughty avoided dismissal...