Iran’s leaders may seek to prioritise diplomatic solutions with a second Trump administration. It remains to be seen how Trump will approach the country.

Iran’s new government must balance the need to respond forcefully to an attack on its soil with the desire to pursue diplomatic and economic reforms.

The regime’s primary objective in this week’s election is to increase voter turnout. This has led many to use Western social media platforms in an attempt to engage with younger people.

Ebrahim Raisi held substantial sway over Iran’s domestic and foreign policies. So, how will the regime fill his void at a challenging time for the country?

The United States and Israel are gifting Iran and its message of defiance enormous appeal, well beyond the imagination of Iranian authorities.

The case could result in further limits on the immigration minister’s powers to keep refugees in detention indefinitely.

US President Joe Biden’s recent warning to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has limited Israel’s options in Gaza. And neither of Israel’s war objectives appear to have been met.

With geopolitical tension and uncertainty rising, New Zealand’s ruling coalition faces urgent questions about defence spending, alliances and its independent foreign policy.

Israel has seen limited success in its primary war aims, while Hamas can claim a partial victory because it is still standing. But is the conflict headed towards a stalemate?

Iran’s direct entry in the Israel-Hamas war could have military and political repercussions that would prove too risky for the ruling regime.

New Zealand must be even-handed in its response to the catastrophe unfolding in Israel and Gaza, while still trying to keep hope of peace alive.

Israelis will consider it critically important to reclaim their country’s military deterrence capabilities against Hamas, which may necessitate a military takeover of Gaza.

Russia is not only looking for much-needed ammunition, it is trying to counter Western influence wherever it can.

The Security Intelligence Service needs public support and trust to do its work well. Adding a degree of transparency to it’s annual threat assessment should help.