Australia Must Strengthen Middle East Strategy to Counter Iran Threats
Australia needs a stronger, more strategic approach to the Middle East, particularly in countering Iran and its proxies. Three years after Hamas' attack on Israel, tensions persist, threatening maritime trade, regional stability, and domestic security in Australia. Iran-backed groups are undermining the law of the sea and stoking terrorism within Australian communities, necessitating tighter domestic security measures and deeper cooperation with regional allies like the UAE and Israel.
The government has already raised the national terrorism threat level and tightened laws to combat state-sponsored terrorism, especially after incidents like the Bondi terrorist attack and the foiled attempt to attack US bases in Britain. However, experts like Dennis Richardson argue that more could have been done to address antisemitism following the October 2023 attacks. The upcoming report by the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion is expected to recommend measures to protect freedom of speech while preventing anti-Jewish incitement.
Diplomatically, Australia has focused on mitigating the economic impact of Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz by strengthening ties with Southeast and Northeast Asian nations. The country has leveraged multilateral forums, such as the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel, led by Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong. However, these efforts have limitations, and Australia is increasingly looking to regional powerbrokers like the UAE for more effective partnerships.
Australia's relationship with Iran should remain frozen until the regime abandons its nuclear ambitions and stops sponsoring terrorism. Meanwhile, the strained relationship with Israel, due to its military response to the October 2023 attacks, requires careful management. Australia must balance criticism of Israel's actions with the need for strategic cooperation, particularly in intelligence and military technologies. Restarting dialogues like the Be’er Sheva Dialogue could help rebuild this crucial partnership.