Australia should keep out of the Syrian conflict. Instead, it should respect the rule of law and the peaceful resolution of disputes by promoting a diplomatic end.
There’s an ad on TV that starts: “If you were me, what would you do next?” If I were Tony Abbott, I’d scheme to get a new treasurer without the existing one blowing me up.
While symoblic, an increase in Australian firepower in the fight against Islamic State in Syria will not greatly affect the battlespace’s fundamental reality.
A suicide bombing in Turkey last week has pulled Ankara closer to the US in the fight against ISIS. It has also raised concerns about Kurds who are also being targeted by Turkish bombing raids.
There are three key reasons why success for the West hasn’t followed. Together, these reasons point towards an urgent need to shift strategy to avoid a stalemate.
Syrians are the single largest group of displaced people in the world. How to make sure that the plight of these refugees doesn’t fuel future conflicts?
Associate Professor in Islamic Studies, Director of The Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation and Executive Member of Public and Contextual Theology, Charles Sturt University