Middle East tensions
Blinken aims to ‘cross finish line’ on Gaza ceasefire, hostage deal as Israeli strikes intensify
A renewed push is under way to reach a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas.
- by Nidal al-Mughrabi
Latest
Editorial
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Middle East conflict will be settled only when words replace weapons
The Israeli ambassador has vowed to better communicate his nation’s perspective on being at war. This would help raise awareness and increase sympathy to Israel’s cause.
- The Herald's View
US amplifies strikes on Yemen’s Houthis as tensions with Israel flare
The strikes mark the latest salvo as the US and its ally Israel struggle to halt a campaign of regional assaults by the Iranian-backed militant group.
- by Missy Ryan
Can Syria’s conquering rebels rebuild a shattered state?
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Islamist group that led the overthrow of the Assad regime, will need to show it is willing to give political representation to Syria’s diverse sects and minorities.
- by Loveday Morris and Abbie Cheeseman
Analysis
Antisemitism
‘We won’t be intimidated’: In Sydney’s eastern suburbs, there is fear, shock and defiance
Members of Sydney’s eastern suburbs Jewish community have welcomed extra security – but have said they won’t be cowed by antisemitic attacks.
- by Jordan Baker and Catherine Naylor
Opinion
Syrian conflict
Syria’s new leaders say they’re a moderate force. Australia has labelled them terrorists
While the fall of the Assad regime is momentous for the Middle East, it’s doubtful Syrians will be entering a time of prolonged peace.
- by Amin Saikal
‘It has come at last’: Sydney Syrians celebrate Assad’s fall
Diaspora are celebrating the sudden end of over half a century of dictatorship in their homeland.
- by Ben Cubby
Opinion
Opinion
Netanyahu’s rebuke of Albanese is weak and unprovable but serves his purposes
Israel’s prime minister sees himself as the ultimate defender of Israel against an international left that he portrays as hostile and complicit in antisemitism.
- by Dan Perry
Analysis
Syrian conflict
Peter Dutton said it was too dangerous to go to this Syrian prison camp. We went there anyway
In the power vacuum left by Bashar al-Assad’s fall, amid the weakness of Russia, Iran and Hezbollah, nobody knows who will control Syria or how they will rule.
- by Michael Bachelard
Opinion
Antisemitism
More than one community, this was an attack on Melbourne’s multicultural fabric
If the attackers hoped to deter us from practising our faith and culture, it simply will not work. On this past Sabbath, I held my Jewish identity closer.
- by Benjamin Preiss
Israel launches first airstrike on Lebanon since ceasefire
It also said it fired on people trying to return to certain areas in southern Lebanon because they were violating the truce.
- by Kareen Chehayeb and Julia Frankel
Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/topic/middle-east-tensions-1nd1