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Peter Jennings is director of Strategic Analysis Australia and was executive director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute from 2012 to 2022. He is a former deputy secretary for strategy in the Defence Department (2009-12).

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TOPSHOT - US President Donald Trump boards Air Force One at Calgary International Airport in Alberta, Canada, on June 16, 2025, after attending the Group of Seven (G7) Summit. US President Donald Trump left a G7 summit in Canada a day early on June 16, heading back to the White House as Israel and Iran traded missile fire for a fifth straight day. Trump's helicopter lifted off from the summit venue in the Canadian Rockies to take him to his plane, shortly after he warned residents to evacuate the Iranian capital Tehran. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP)

Five reasons why the US may soon join the strike on Iran

Donald Trump is preparing his military to enter the Iran-Israel conflict, possibly within a week, if these key developments are any indication.

Peter Jennings

INQUIRERInquirer

If the PM really wants to salvage AUKUS, the good news is that he can.

Five steps to fix AUKUS – and a viable defence plan B

The Albanese government’s handling of AUKUS has been lazy, half-hearted and inattentive. The good news? If the PM really wants to salvage this mess, he can.

Peter Jennings

COMMENTARYCommentary

Art ready for Jennings piece. Artwork: Geordie Gray

Netanyahu saw one decisive opportunity to strike Iran – and he’s going for broke

Israel had no option but to mount these strikes, and Iran’s military leadership was caught sleeping. Here are six things to watch for in the coming days.

Peter Jennings

Commentary

The Daily Telegraph Wednesday 11 June 2025Western Sydney International AirportAnthony Albanese speaks at the opening of Western Sydney international airport. Picture Thomas Lisson

PM’s sanctions, lecturing and paternalism all about iron control

Welcome to Albo’s performative paternalism: where symbolism displaces hard choices, dissent is met with rebuke and foreign policy is reduced to theatre.

Peter Jennings

commentaryCommentary

Australian Army Lieutenants prepare a M1A1 Main Battle Tank during Exercise Gauntlet Strike at Puckapunyal Training Area, Victoria. Picture: Department of Defence

Albanese about to get brutal lesson in great power politics

The PM has failed to invest in the US relationship, which is our most important strategic relationship. If that’s his attitude he shouldn’t go to the G7 and avoid contact with Donald Trump.

Peter Jennings

commentaryCommentary

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Donald Trump. Pictures: NewsWire, AP Photo

Defence spending ‘hard truths’ to haunt PM’s Trump meeting

The hesitancy to engage our closest and most important security partner goes beyond the leaders’ obvious political differences.

Peter Jennings

commentaryCommentary

NCA 2025 Federal Election Liberal Bus 05/04/2025Darwin AustraliaPeter Dutton has announced the he would seek to end the uncertainty and security for the future of Port of Darwin . Picture: NewsWire / Thomas Lisson

American takeover of port a big security win for Albanese

The Albanese government should be rejoicing if Cerberus is interested in taking over the Port of Darwin.

Peter Jennings

INQUIRERInquirer

Northrop Grumman Corporation in partnership with the U.S. Air Force, will unveil the B-21 Raider during the first week of December. Supplied

Dutton fires a late salvo and declares war on defence drift

The Opposition Leader’s plan to boost spending brings some welcome substance to the campaign at last.

Peter Jennings

commentaryNation

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Indonesian Defense Minister and President-Elect Prabowo Subianto shake hands during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, July 31, 2024. (Grigory Sysoyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Marles making a mockery of caretaker conventions

There is no defensible basis to deny the Coalition an intelligence briefing on Russia’s interest in a military presence in Indonesia. I strongly suspect the Albanese government is trying to hide intelligence reporting.

Peter Jennings

CommentaryCommentary

Prabowo Subianto, Anthony Albanese, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping

PM’s hasty denial over Russian air base simply not believable

Nothing to see here? Don’t you believe it. We are in a world of pain, led by delusional political leaders incapable of responding to the hard realities of power politics playing out in our region.

Peter Jennings

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/peter-jennings