When US President Donald Trump ordered strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, the world watched for a response. But in Australia, there was silence. It took a day before Prime Minister Anthony Albanese or Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong addressed the media.

When they did, they backed the US, tentatively, while calling for calm. For Albanese, a leader who once opposed the Iraq war, it’s a moment that reveals how far Labor has travelled on foreign policy and how little resistance that shift is meeting inside his own party.

But while Labor falls in line, the Coalition are thrashing their way to a new identity. This week, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley made her first major pitch to the public – signalling where she wants to take her divided party.

Today, columnist for The Monthly and Inside Story, Karen Middleton, on war, politics and the calculations driving both major parties.

 

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

 

Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram

Guest: Columnist for The Monthly and Inside Story, Karen Middleton.

Photo:Lukas Coch / AAP

When US President Donald Trump ordered strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, the world watched for a response. But in Australia, there was silence. It took a day before Prime Minister Anthony Albanese or Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong addressed the media.
When they did, they backed the US, tentatively, while calling for calm. For Albanese, a leader who once opposed the Iraq war, it&rsquo;s a moment that reveals how far Labor has travelled on foreign policy and how little resistance that shift is meeting inside his own party.
But while Labor falls in line, the Coalition are thrashing their way to a new identity. This week, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley made her first major pitch to the public &ndash; signalling where she wants to take her divided party.
Today, columnist for The Monthly and Inside Story, Karen Middleton, on war, politics and the calculations driving both major parties.
&nbsp;
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>
Guest: Columnist for The Monthly and Inside Story, Karen Middleton.
Photo: Lukas Coch / AAP

An independent daily news show. We feature the country’s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

An independent daily news show. We feature the country&rsquo;s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

A daily news show from the publisher of The Monthly and The Saturday Paper.

A daily news show from the publisher of The Monthly and The Saturday Paper. Hear from the country’s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

Why Albanese backed Trump’s Iran attack

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/59dedee1-fb57-4426-9272-b308005934a7/transcript

Advertisement