Diplomacy, de-escalation the only way out of danger

The Age

19-06-2025

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WAR
Any nation deploying a nuclear bomb is guaranteed complete destruction of its own people. In this day and age, the ownership of such destructive weapons seems to be the big stick the bullies of this world wave and threaten.
Trump's ever-changing story and threats to Iran seem to respond to the immediate (for example, the complete evacuation of Tehran's 10 million citizens) with little thought to the future. Where are the voices of thinking leaders and their governments? Surely, they are not all short-sighted.
The solution rests with the citizens of these nations to rise up, take to the streets in their millions and remove these blinkered madmen and bring some order to humankind. De-escalation and diplomacy are the only way out of these dangerous days, and governments must lead and bring peaceful solutions to the world. Unfortunately, the UN seems powerless.
Ron Reynolds, Templestowe
None of our business
We are best reminded that in 2003 America waged war on Iraq based on it having ″⁣weapons of mass destruction″⁣. This was false information and many an Australian lost their life or received horrific injuries including their mental health through John Howard sending troops.
In late March this year, the American security agencies stated Iran was not building nuclear weapons. A week or so ago it was revealed Iran wasn't fully complying with its obligations to open its files up. Despite the US intelligence service's advice, Israel 'knows' Iraq is preparing nuclear weapons.
No evidence presented, just us relying on their version of truth. Sound familiar? Now the blundering President Trump has announced he might even go to war with Iran over Israel's claim.
Undoubtedly, if he does, he will call on other nations to join him – even after he spreads doom and gloom through his never-quite-finalised tariffs. Let's hope our government and the Coalition see though this madness and not join in what really isn't our business.
John Rome, Mt Lawley, WA
Learn from Good Friday Agreement
Thank you to your correspondent (Letters, 18/6) for referencing the current events in the Middle East to both Greek tragedy and the Irish Troubles. These themes are also linked by the Northern Ireland poet Michael Longley in his poem Ceasefire, which was coincidentally published on the eve of the Good Friday Agreement in 1994 also uses the imagery of The Trojan Wars.
When tired of the carnage due to the conflict, the Trojan King, Priam, meets Achilles, who had killed Priam's son Hector in retaliation for Hector killing Patroclus, who was Achilles lifelong friend. King Priam sighs: 'I get down on my knees and do what must be done, and kiss Achilles' hand, the killer of my son'.
Unlike Northern Ireland, as yet it appears no one in the current conflict is capable of the insight or courage to do the same.
Jill Grogan, Albert Park
Chilling replay of 2003 Gulf War
The latest dismissal by Trump of the advice from various independent sources and his own spy chief that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon seems to be a chilling replay of the events preceding the Gulf war in 2003.
The power vacuum in Iraq after the fall of Saddam Hussein led, despite the fall of the despot, to a boom in extremism by Al-Qaeda and the rise of ISIS. We can expect again the destruction of a country, the misery of its people and the probable subsequent ominous rise of a new regime that could be even more dangerous to peace in the region.
We require an immediate ceasefire, followed by a comprehensive political solution to a festering issue plaguing the Middle East. If Trump can bring this off, instead of escalating the violence, hats off to him.
Trichur Vidyasagar, Doncaster
THE FORUM
Practical, not ideological
Re ″⁣If it acts like a public utility, why the outsourcing?″⁣ (Letters, 19/6). The metro rail transport system and its physical assets remain in public ownership. The system is operated under franchise by a privately-owned company heavily-conditioned by the contracts it entered into with the government.
Your correspondents have not complained about the service, which is generally good. The issue seems to be ″⁣ownership″⁣ with your correspondents, favouring public operation of the system for reasons which are not especially clear, although I detect disaffection with profit-making.
For me, the tests are practical, not ideological. If the test is service, which is good; and price, which is set by the government at a reasonable rate with an increasing range of free journeys; then the case for continuing private operation seems quite strong.
Those favouring public operation of the system will have to demonstrate that a public service department could operate the system better and more cheaply than the private operator.
Michael Angwin, Hawthorn
Lower the fares
If we hadn't privatised public transport it would have been an easy step to implement a low flat fare, or even make some travel free, as the Queensland government has done. This would negate the need for ticket inspectors and be a win for commuters, traffic flow and the environment as more commuters use the service.
Vikki O'Neill, Ashburton