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United States President Donald Trump has made good on his threat to bomb Iran. And he promised to do it again if Iran does not capitulate on its nuclear program.
What will Iran do next? As Middle East expert Ian Parmeter writes, it has limited options. But history shows the clerical regime does not like to back down – it took eight years to bring an end to the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s.
And Trump may see his approval ratings plunge if the US becomes embroiled in yet another long-term conflict in the Middle East.
The US reportedly dropped a dozen so-called “bunker buster” bombs on Iran’s underground nuclear facility at Fordow in the attack. James Dwyer explains what these weapons are – and why the US is the only country able to deploy them.
PS. There’s just one week left until the end of the financial year, and there’s still time to make a tax-deductible contribution. Your gift today helps secure our journalism for the year ahead.
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Justin Bergman
International Affairs Editor
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Ian Parmeter, Australian National University
Iran has some difficult choices ahead. It has vowed a major response, but could be limited in what it can actually achieve.
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James Dwyer, University of Tasmania
The GBU-57 Massive Ordance Penetrator is a weapon only the US can deploy – but it may have unintended consequences.
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Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
The government issued a statement in response to the bombing, but there were no immiedate plans for the prime minister to speak on the matter.
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Tom Howe, Monash University
Keir Starmer’s government, like those before it, is firmly behind the AUKUS pact. But there are some doubts the UK can provide the required submarines on time.
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Shumi Akhtar, University of Sydney
Regulators will have to balance Australia’s stated desire to attract foreign investment with the need to protect national interests.
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Christian Jakob, Monash University
Earth has less highly reflective clouds than it used to, and it’s amplifying global warming
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Milton Speer, University of Technology Sydney; Lance M Leslie, University of Technology Sydney
New research suggests global warming is increasing the frequency and intensity of wind gusts from thunderstorm downbursts, with serious consequences for air travel.
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Vanessa Miller, Southern Cross University; Tony Yeigh, Southern Cross University
Australia has no nationally consistent approach to track bullying. Schools also need accurate data to understand if interventions are working.
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Politics + Society
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Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
With the unpredictability of events in the Middle East and the US president himself, the prime minister has decided to skip the conference.
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Yvonne Breitwieser-Faria, Curtin University
It’s unclear if the most senior Russian state officials can and will be able to be brought to trial for the crime of aggression.
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Health + Medicine
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Alexis Shub, The University of Melbourne; Matthew Hare, Menzies School of Health Research; Susan de Jersey, The University of Queensland
Screening for gestational diabetes will continue. But who gets extra testing, and when, will change.
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Nick William Smith, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University; Carolyn Elizabeth Lister, Plant & Food Research Rangahau Ahumāra Kai
The latest entries in New Zealand’s food composition database reflect the nation’s growing ethnic diversity and rising demand for plant-based options and allergen-friendly foods.
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Natalie Roche, La Trobe University; Rwth Stuckey, La Trobe University
Emergency service volunteers are passionate about serving their communities. But this comes at a personal cost, especially without the right supports.
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Environment + Energy
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Diane Dowdell, The University of Queensland
Murray Watt came to the role of environment minister with a reputation as a fixer. The question now is, what will he trade to get WA miners on side?
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Science + Technology
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Lisa M. Given, RMIT University
The trial’s preliminary findings are hard to square with other evidence.
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Arts + Culture
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Ming Gao, Lund University
Global perceptions of China are often shaped by geopolitics and authoritarianism. Is Labubu the ‘cool China’ antidote?
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Books + Ideas
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Darius von Guttner Sporzynski, Australian Catholic University
Victoria Amelina’s unfinished notebook was salvaged after she was killed by a missile. From a bunker, meanwhile, John Lyons reports on the war.
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Your Say
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Dear Treasurer…
"Most multinationals pay little or no tax in Australia. This is because they’re taxed on their profits, which they shift to foreign or low tax jurisdictions. Ordinary Australians pay tax on our income. So why don’t we tax corporations on their income, instead of their profits? After all they are reaping the benefits from doing business here with the advantage of the infrastructure and services paid for by our taxes – so they should contribute."
Tony Drake, Brisbane 
Tax companies more
"Corporate taxes should go up, not down. Personal tax rates should be lowered instead. Why? Because we’re a consumption based economy, so lowering personal taxes results in high consumption, period! Lowering company taxes results in higher profits shifted overseas or to shareholders, CEOs and executive bonuses."
Rolf Stockburger
Tax truce
"We need a bipartisan approach from all sides of parliament to discuss the taxation situation in Australia. No one wants to pay more, however we all have demands to satisfy our needs in education, health and government services. All politicians should get together representatives and reach a consensus on how we can have a fair system of taxation going forward."
Richard Cantwell, Gisborne VIC
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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Charles Darwin University
Darwin NT, Australia
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Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
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University of Sydney
Camperdown NSW, Australia
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