Category Archives: Uncategorized

The Australian, 3/2 The visit to Israel by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken this week showcased the paradoxical position in which Israel currently finds itself.  While Jerusalem’s long held positions vis a vis the danger represented by Iran have … Continue reading →

Jerusalem Post, 23/12 Without US pushback, Turkish-Russian cooperation may deliver victory in Syria to Moscow-Tehran axis Since 2019, the Syrian situation has been largely at stalemate, with authority divided between three de facto enclaves, each dependent on the sponsorship of … Continue reading →

Jerusalem Post, 16/12 “About the events of the last two months – what happened with Jina Amini was like putting a spark on a pile of TNT, which has now exploded,” Hussein Yazdanpana tells me. “We will not accept what … Continue reading →

Jerusalem Post, 9/12 “The problem is not only the hijab.  This is a symbol.  The Iranian regime is intent on controlling how women live.  And women are saying ‘I am human and I have a right to live.’ This time … Continue reading →

A version of this article appeared in The Australian, weekend edition, 26-27/11/22 ‘At about 10.30, we got a warning that an attack was coming.  So we had to disperse.  I ran home to Reyhana.  I was about five meters from … Continue reading →

The Shepherd website recently invited me to compile a list of the best books on the human impact of war, in my judgement. This is a subject of considerable interest to me. I have lived around active conflict, first as … Continue reading →

Jerusalem Post, 14/10 The crisis in western Iran is intensifying. As Sanandaj and other cities burn, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Saturday issued a curious statement threatening a military incursion into Kurdish northern Iraq. The statement read: “In … Continue reading →

Protesters in Iran accuse regime of using Arab militiamen to suppress demonstrations • IRGC fires at Iranian Kurdish bases Jerusalem Post, 1/10.  Claims have surfaced in recent days that pro-Iranian regime Arab militiamen are to be found among the forces … Continue reading →

Jerusalem Post, 17/9 The rising tempo of attacks reflects a more general readiness for confrontation as region enters new phase A notable uptick in Israeli air operations against Iran-linked targets on Syrian soil has taken place over the last month, … Continue reading →

Jerusalem Post, 3/9 Launch of Kherson offensive marks opening of new phase in the conflict The Ukrainian armed forces this week launched an offensive in the Kherson region, located in the south east of Ukraine.  Ukrainian media is reporting that … Continue reading →