Ruth Pollard

“Stronghold” makes it sound like Israel bombed a military base. They did not. They bombed a densely populated part of the capital city. One of those rancid, enabling words that needs to be retired.

Eskandar Sadeghi-Boroujerdi | The dry and the wet burn together The war launched against Iran by the United States and Israel is a war of choice and of hubris. There is scarcely even...

Powerful piece: Wars of choice rarely confine themselves to their intended targets. They consume not only the combatants but the assumptions that animate them. What began as an attempt to alter the regional balance may instead hasten the erosion of the order … www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2026/ma...

Strikes in Gaza kill at least 30 in one of deadliest days since ceasefire Israeli strikes have killed at least 30 Palestinians, marking one of the highest death tolls since the ceasefire last October aimed at stopping the fighting.

When is a ceasefire not a ceasefire?
Ludicrous term to keep using.

What Ankara Sees in Riyadh — and Why It Still Needs Abu Dhabi - Middle East Institute

Good piece by Gonul Tol on how Turkey wants to avoid choosing between Saudi Arabia and UAE

mei.edu/publication/...

Dear SMH,

What happened to your motto; ‘Independent Always.’

The Wilcox cartoon regarding the clamour for a Royal Commission should not have caused an apology. Cartoonists play an important role in our democracy to spark debate and highlight issues that need broader considerations.

CathyWilcox

Reports across the Middle East that Syria has given the US an airbase outside of Damascus and has given the Trump organization exclusive rights to build a new hotel there. www.reuters.com/world/middle...

The Risky Movement to Make America Nuclear Again A Silicon Valley startup called Oklo is leading the charge to bring nuclear power back to the US with small reactors. Its backers have wealth and political connections that could undermine nuclear saf...

Do not miss this stunning investigation that reveals how a Koch-funded machine and Silicon Valley's new found interest is behind the dangerous advanced nuclear hype in the US.

🎁🔗 www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...

In this one a doctor talks about doing an emergency c-section on a beheaded woman to deliver her baby.

Thread 👇

#Gaza #doctors

Western journalists are failing to stand up for their colleagues in Gaza | Mohamad Bazzi This hypocrisy of western media has been laid bare by Israel’s targeting of journalists since the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack

“Israel is able to kill Palestinian journalists with impunity not just because of the unconditional military support it receives from the US, but also the failure of many western media organizations and journalists to stand up for their Palestinian colleagues” — my oped @theguardian.com

I am sick at heart that we have not been able to prevent this. Israel’s deliberate starvation of Palestinians was there for governments of the world to see …

This is unforgivable

Is Sri Lanka Turning the Page on Its Violent Past? The new president has the opportunity to help the nation come to terms with its brutal civil war.

Sri Lanka's new president has the opportunity to help the nation come to terms with its violent past. Will he take it? My latest, (FREE TO READ) www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

AFP journalists in Gaza at risk of starvation, warns journalists' association 'We have lost journalists in conflicts, we have had wounded, prisoners in our ranks, but none of us can recall seeing colleague die of hunger,' says French news agency's journalists' association - Ana...

"Since AFP was founded in August 1944, we have lost journalists in conflicts, we have had wounded and prisoners in our ranks, but none of us can recall seeing a colleague die of hunger.” www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-ea...

Why Everyone’s Turning to Finland on National Security It takes more than military readiness to deal with increasing threats. Civilians also need to be prepared.

Finland's national security model is more relevant than ever, and lots of countries, now including Australia, are paying attention. My latest (free to read) with thanks to @rorymedcalf.bsky.social) www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

The Psychological Barrier Broken by Iran and Israel’s Missile Exchange By crossing a former red line and engaging in direct conflict, Tel Aviv and Tehran may have set a dangerous precedent

With refreshing candor, my @newlinesmag.bsky.social colleagues Kareem Shaheen and Rasha Elass explain the schadenfreude and ambivalence that many Arabs feel about the taboo-shattering exchange of missiles between Israel and Iran.

newlinesmag.com/argument/the...

Thousands of Israelis join violent, racist march through Jerusalem’s Muslim quarter State-backed flag day march shut down Palestinian life in Old City to celebrate Israel’s 1967 occupation of East Jerusalem

"...large groups chanted racist slogans including 'Gaza is ours' 'death to the Arabs' and 'may their villages burn'."
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...

It’s Too Easy for Foreigners to Buy Property in Japan Despite the stereotypes, Japan is one of the most permissive places for non-residents to buy property. That’s a problem when locals are being priced out.

Foreign buyers face zero barriers for property in Japan: no additional taxes, no limits, no residency needed.

With Tokyo apartment prices soaring and locals starting to get priced out, it's time for a rethink.

My latest, free to read:

www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

Alex de Waal | Starvation in Gaza Twice already during this war, the people of Gaza have pulled back from the brink of categorical famine – both times...

Starvation in Gaza www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2025/ma...

Hong Kong’s Lesson From 1967: Fight for Flows As Asia’s rich seek havens other than the dollar, the financial center mustn’t sit out the contest — like it did 60 years ago.

There's a lesson for Hong Kong from 1967: As Asia’s rich seek havens other than the dollar, the financial center must fight for its money, writes @andymukherjee70.bsky.social @opinion.bloomberg.com www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

China’s E-Commerce Giants Are Putting Up a Fight No sector is more exposed to a trade war, but something curious is happening at home and abroad.

US attacks have galvanized China's industry to unite, while Americans have shown an unwillingness to let cheap imports go, writes @thorbecke.bsky.social @opinion.bloomberg.com www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

Is America Alone? Not Yet, But It’s Trying The country’s role as the center of the financial world is getting uncomfortable scrutiny. That alone is troubling.

It's no longer fringe to seriously question American financial pre-eminence. That speaks volumes about Trump's direction, writes @mosseco.bsky.social @opinion.bloomberg.com www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

🧵 on the IDF's investigation into the slaying of 14 paramedics and a UN worker, alongside unanswered questions and findings from media investigations.

The Climate Cost of America’s Infinite Tariffs Years of protectionism have weakened the US solar industry. Levies of up to 3,521% on Asian imports will set energy transition back even further.

There's a climate cost from Trump's infinite tariffs. Levies of up to 3,521% on Asian solar imports will set energy transition back even further, writes @davidfickling.bsky.social @opinion.bloomberg.com www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

American Accents (and AI) Could Save India’s Outsourcing While a trade war threatens large code-writing orders, artificial intelligence is giving a boost to call centers and back offices.

The trade war is threatening India's code-writers, but AI is giving a boost to call centers and back offices., writes @andymukherjee70.bsky.social @opinion.bloomberg.com www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

India and Pakistan Are at a Dangerous Moment This standoff is more perilous than ever, now that the US cannot be relied upon to bring New Delhi and Islamabad back from the brink.

This standoff is more perilous than ever, now that the US cannot be relied upon to bring New Delhi and Islamabad back from the brink, Mihir Sharma writes for @opinion.bloomberg.com www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

Beautiful piece Rachel. Must read

The Dollar’s Monopoly in Payments Will Soon Be History The shift may start with transactions where it just greases the wheels of commerce.

The dollar's monopoly in payments will soon be history, and the shift may start with transactions where it just greases the wheels of commerce, writes @andymukherjee70.bsky.social @opinion.bloomberg.com FREE TO READ www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

NIH Grant Cuts Aren't Saving Money. They're Wasting It. The Trump administration says the canceled funding is about cost efficiency, but data shows that the opposite is happening.

Read the full piece here (gift link): www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

Taiwan Has a Roadmap for Deeper US Trade Ties At a time of global uncertainty and growing Chinese assertiveness, closer relations are a critical pillar of regional security.

Our guest columnist today is President Lai Ching-te -- he writes that closer US-Taiwan relations are a critical pillar of regional security @opinion.bloomberg.com www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...