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As the US-Israeli war with Iran enters its second month, the conflict seems to be widening and causing more global instability by the day.
Thousands have been killed – mostly in Iran and Lebanon, which Israel invaded last month. Iran has retaliated by striking US military assets and other targets in Israel and the entire Persian Gulf region. Oil and gas shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have come to a virtual standstill, threatening a global energy crisis.
The Middle East will be fundamentally changed by this war. To explain how, we’ve asked five international affairs experts in the United States, Australia, Ireland and New Zealand to unpack the biggest shifts they see happening.
As one expert Scott Lucas at the University College Dublin put it, it’s hard to find anything positive emerging from “a war where everyone loses”.
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Justin Bergman
International Affairs Editor
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Scott Lucas, University College Dublin; Andrew Thomas, Deakin University; Chris Ogden, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau; Jessica Genauer, UNSW Sydney; Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, Rice University
The US, Israel and Iran war will shift alliances and create insecurity for years to come.
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Garritt C. Van Dyk, University of Waikato
By resurrecting statues toppled in protests during his first term, Donald Trump wants to reverse attempts to ‘erase history’. But history is never that simple.
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Konstantine Panegyres, The University of Western Australia
Withdraw, endure, or laugh? The ancients have some advice about facing disillusionment.
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Meru Sheel, University of Sydney; Allen Cheng, Monash University
There has already been a lot of flu this year but the flu season is unlikely to peak until late winter.
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Paris Hadfield, Monash University
Council staff said human resources and time are essential, with one noting: ‘We have to go through a fair amount of information to explain how solar works.’
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Alyssa Milton, University of Sydney; Emily Eglitis, Adelaide University ; Kate Harrison Brennan, University of Sydney
Look out for programs that give kids a choice, include at least some outdoor time and have a mix of different activities.
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Miles Park, UNSW Sydney
The sound of the PB/5 pedestrian crossing button shapes our cities. It is now part of the National Film Sound Archive of Australia’s 2026 Sounds of Australia.
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Andrew Barron, Macquarie University
Turns out humans are not alone in mastering rhythm.
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Jim Radford, La Trobe University; Grace Sutton, La Trobe University; Liz Heagney, Southern Cross University
Nature and agriculture are often at odds. But an Australian study suggests farmers who plant more trees are better off – financially and environmentally.
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Giuseppe Carabetta, University of Technology Sydney; Bronwen Dalton, University of Technology Sydney; Carmel Foley, University of Technology Sydney; Rachel Wilson, University of Technology Sydney
As employers rethink wellbeing in a post-pandemic workplace, the key question is whether policies for pets at work are lawful, evidence-based and inclusive.
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Politics + Society
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Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
Albanese said the fuel crisis won’t prevent the government from delivering its “most ambitious” budget. In doing so, he set the marker of how to judge it.
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The benefits of citizen science
"Each morning as I read The Conversation, I am challenged, surprised, filled with joy and sometimes saddened. I always feel informed. As someone who facilitates a citizen science program for a Friends of group, I could readily relate to two articles on citizen science this morning. The health benefits described in this article are often chatted about informally as our group members walk, observe and share information about what we’re seeing and hearing in the natural world. Inevitably, and without consciously trying, the demands of every-day life end up sitting on the back burner for a while while we enjoy being outdoors in the company of like-minded people.
Is it any wonder that citizen science is finding a place in more and more people’s lives, and its value is being increasingly recognised? As your articles suggests, why then is so little attention directed to supporting it financially?"
Sue Tardif Olinda, VIC
Solar for apartment blocks
"Thank you for shining a light on a housing issue which does not get enough focus, the poor standards of apartment blocks. You are more likely to notice temperature changes in a smaller home, especially when poorly insulated (and most apartments are VERY poorly insulated) so access to solar power would make a huge financial difference. This issue also highlights the problems with the current management of apartment blocks. My experience is that the Body Corporates seems to either ignore owners or delegate to the committee which is made up of unqualified, busy and often self serving owners."
Jane David, Naarm 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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