John Menadue’s blog, Pearls and Irritations, contains three articles on developments in Syria. Former secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Stuart Harris, believes Australia should turn down the United States request to join in airstrikes. Former Ambassador to the United Nations, Richard Butler, describes the move towards bombing Syria as ‘another Captain’s pick’ in advance of a meeting of the relevant Cabinet committee. Former foreign news journalist, John Tulloh, argues bombing Syria will increase resentment among disaffected Australians of Middle Eastern origin.
The views of all three men are informed by their understanding of the history of Australia’s foreign commitments. John Menadue is one of Honest History’s distinguished supporters.
27 August 2015