Rodger Shanahan
Dr Rodger Shanahan is a Middle East analyst.
- Opinion
- Middle East at war
Trump tried to cut the head off the Iran snake but it keeps biting him
The United States and Israel are paying the price for misunderstanding the nature of the Iranian regime and its society more broadly.
- Rodger Shanahan
Latest
- Opinion
- Trump diplomacy
Trump and Netanyahu have formed a convenient coalition. But clear divisions are emerging
Tel Aviv is pursuing its own agenda in attacks against Iran, and Washington’s denials about their actions are not plausible.
- Rodger Shanahan
- Opinion
- Middle East at war
Trump killed Iran’s leader. It’s doubtful he has ideas beyond that
The US president has sent a call to arms for the Iranian people to rise up against an unpopular regime. But that regime has thrived on the idea of resistance against overwhelming odds.
- Rodger Shanahan
- Opinion
- Middle East tensions
The Iran security crisis has brought the Middle East conflict to our shores
Was Iran’s motivation to undermine Australian social cohesion, or did Tehran simply see an opportunity to target Jewish interests.
- Rodger Shanahan
- Opinion
- Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Netanyahu never had a plan for when the fighting stops. So how can the war end?
Israel’s lack of a genuine strategy for peace has helped some of its old Western friends, including Australia, to see the Palestine question with new clarity.
- Rodger Shanahan
- Opinion
- Middle East at war
Overkill in Gaza: Penny Wong was right to call out Israel
In an issue as complex as the Israel-Palestine question, it should come as no surprise that Australia and like-minded nations should hold both sides to account.
- Rodger Shanahan
- Opinion
- Middle East at war
Iran’s talking tough after US attack. But the regime has run out of options
With Donald Trump in the White House, Iran’s strategic nuclear ambiguity quickly became a millstone around Tehran’s neck. Now its rulers need a new plan.
- Rodger Shanahan
- Opinion
- Middle East at war
Netanyahu knew the lethal risk of striking Iran. But he did it anyway
Only months ago, Donald Trump’s advice was that Iran was not actively pursuing nuclear weapons. Evidently, Israel’s leaders were unconvinced.
- Rodger Shanahan
- Opinion
- Middle East at war
Netanyahu’s move to seize Gaza won’t save the hostages, and he knows it
Absent of any realistic post-conflict plan, Israel’s forces will end up occupying Gaza or sections of it without any foreseeable strategic outcome.
- Rodger Shanahan
- Opinion
- Israeli-Palestinian conflict
This ceasefire is a great win, but Gaza is a war without winners
Neither side in the Israel-Hamas war has emerged a clear winner from the brutal 15-month conflict.
- Rodger Shanahan