US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s invocation of a holy Christian war in Iran and his comparison to the Crusades is astounding but typical (“How Trump and his minister of war ignored the lessons of history”, March 21). President Donald Trump and his acolytes are frequently citing Christian values, but their actions and policies are commonly, distinctly unChristian. Perhaps the most ridiculous aspect of this is that Hegseth doesn’t seem to know the Crusades ultimately failed. Rowan Godwin, Rozelle
Pete Hegseth should have taken a lesson from the Iran oil crisis of 1979. Undeterred, he is seeking an extra $200 billion from Congress as “it takes money to kill bad guys” – nearly the same amount as total foreign aid given by all countries in 2024. This figure was slashed by about 20 per cent in 2025 after massive cuts by the US, Britain and other countries, affecting millions of poor and disadvantaged people. As a self-styled Christian, one would think the secretary of war might have learned the lessons in the Bible – to love your enemies and to help the poor and the needy. Clay O’Brien, Mosman
Both Trump and Hegseth seem to be operating from a position of complete and undisputed ignorance as to the complexity of the war they have initiated, together with Israel. Neither person has a background appropriate for the role he is holding. The first has incurred a string of bankruptcies, is a convicted felon and lies with impunity. Hegseth was a TV newsreader for seven years (2017 to 2024) before being appointed “Secretary of War” and he is spending $2 billion of US taxpayers’ funds every day on the war. This is not a skill set honed by reading the TV news bulletin. Neither man has presented an overarching strategy or exit timeframe, which is exacerbating financial market uncertainty. Further attacks by Israel on oil fields have increased market anxiety rapidly and also opened up the path for others to follow suit. Perhaps Congress might start to think de-escalation via diplomacy would be a good strategy. Otherwise, the oil price will continue its unrelenting upwards trajectory. Helen Cameron, Wollstonecraft
I am sitting here digesting the Herald’s commentary, and one burning but seemingly unanswered question begs to be asked – who were the idiots who put the mullahs in charge of world oil and gas stability? The world’s default position is pandering to Iran because it needs its resources. So before you join the pile-on of Trump, consider this: did you really think that correcting this situation was going to be painless? Ben Basger, Bondi Junction
Ghastly celebration
More ghastliness from Trump as he celebrates the death of former FBI director Robert Mueller (“Former FBI director dies”, March 22). According to FBI colleagues, Mueller “embodied the virtue of prioritising service to the country over self” – a foreign concept to the self-serving Trump. But while Trump may be “glad” of Mueller’s death, my guess is that when Trump passes on, billions around the world will celebrate the fact that “he can no longer hurt innocent people”, Trump’s precise words about Mueller. Marie Del Monte, Ashfield
Oh, the irony. The US president, having avoided the draft on five occasions, now calls the rest of the world cowards. What disturbed universe is this (“Trump calls NATO allies ‘cowards’” , March 21)? David Brown, Robertson
Not so super
It seems that two of the world’s superpowers have proven themselves not so super. Russia attacked Ukraine, expecting success in four days. Four years later, Russia’s share of Ukraine is shrinking and its economy has collapsed. Then the US connived with Israel to attack Iran, expecting success in 24 hours. Four weeks later, Iran is still fighting back and the whole world’s economy is slowly collapsing. Both superpowers have militaries that are updated versions of those used in World War II – ships, tanks, aircraft. They are extremely vulnerable and very expensive. They are also manned by people. Voters do not like to see their military personnel killed. War has changed. Small countries have adopted technology that is cheap, powerful and that generally does not put soldiers at risk. And two of them are humbling the superpowers. Meanwhile, China sits off to the side and watches, waiting for the US and Russia to destroy themselves. David Morrison, Eleebana
Plug in to electricity
The climate change denier who gave us “drill, baby, drill” has now delivered “no can fill”. It might be amusing if it weren’t so serious (“Trump’s war in Iran creates one giant global carbon tax” March 21). As Shane Wright notes, one consequence of Trump’s war on oil is that market forces will push the world to electrify everything. In saying this global fuel shock should prompt the Albanese government to ditch EV subsidies, he ignores the urgency of moving away from oil. Yes, early subsidies have disproportionately benefited wealthier buyers, but that’s an argument to broaden support, not to abandon it. In May, Treasurer Jim Chalmers should ensure EV incentives are accessible to all Australians, alongside the rollout of reliable charging infrastructure. If we’re serious about energy independence, we need to move faster, not slower. The funding is there. Taxing Australia’s lucrative gas exports at a fair rate, even 25 per cent, would generate billions each year. It’s no surprise voters support it. Karen Lamb, Geelong (Vic)
The attitude of NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, Premier Chris Minns and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese towards potential fuel shortages is astounding (“Albanese brushes off fuel warning, as government backs ‘business as usual’ ”, March 22). Clearly proponents of Scott Morrison’s “It’s not a race” mentality, they refuse to implement fuel-saving strategies such as working from home and fuel rationing. Preventative measures such as these would extend the supply beyond the expected crisis point in mid-April. As fuel underpins many things in society, this war could cripple the world in ways far beyond what COVID ever did. Carmen Fenech, Frenchs Forest
Sue Childs made a good point about the cost of public transport as opposed to private vehicles, especially for families (Letters, March 20). The NSW government should consider following the example of Queensland last year in implementing cheap or free public transport. This would ease pressure on fuel supplies. Regional areas with limited transport could receive priority in the distribution of fuel, while those in city areas would have assistance with their cost of living through low fares. Linda Page, Baulkham Hills
How silly to dip into our inadequate fuel reserves without introducing restrictions at the same time. Are these blokes doing what is best for us or trying to win a popularity contest? How naive of me. They are politicians first, second and third. Chris Hennessy, East Ballina
Service stations are selling fuel ordered and delivered at the pre-war price, so how can they charge the exorbitant increases at the pump? So much for government threats of fines. Surely companies need to show purchase prices of stock before they can increase the pump price of any new stock. Denis Suttling, Newport Beach
Not so simple
I saw Angus Taylor on the news discussing the Middle East crisis. His contribution was solely about fuel costs at our petrol bowsers and sending forces to the Strait of Hormuz in order to keep prices low for us. Clearly a little picture man; just ignore a malevolent USA, a war-hungry Israel, a murderous Iranian regime, bombs seemingly everywhere, hundreds of thousands forced to flee, thousands injured, our alliances in tatters, world stability in doubt et cetera. But just give me cheap fuel and everything else is forgotten. Such a simple view of the world. So very beguiling. Tony Sullivan, Islington
Liberals irrelevant
Watching the commentary after another Liberal thrashing, in South Australia’s election, it’s obvious the Liberals have absolutely no idea what their problems are (“Malinauskas triumphs as One Nation is hit by scandal”, March 22). A senior Liberal said they needed to reach out to the electorate and deliver a clearer picture of their policies and how they can benefit the electorate. It’s not that their policies need a clearer explanation, it’s that their policies are no longer relevant, and therefore neither are the Liberals. The world has changed and the Libs have been left far behind, which is exemplified in their ongoing state and federal election losses. That One Nation, a party without policies and with a rag-tag membership, can win more votes than the Libs says everything about their collapse. I wish all Liberal members good luck in finding work outside of politics. Victor Marshall, Meander (Tas)
I didn’t ever think I would agree with anything Pauline Hanson says, but her statement that “Australians have had a gut full” is correct. Many are fed up with stupidity, entitlement and complete incompetence of what used to be the other major political party. However, they cannot conceive of voting for the ALP. What is clear from the SA election result is that for all of Hanson’s posturing and meaningless platitudes, and the negative politicking of the Coalition, voters clearly prefer the balanced and progressive approach of current Labor governments. Hanson is all Trump and bluster, and many hope she never comes close to the levers of power in Australia. Tony Heathwood, Kiama Downs
Pokie profits
Bevan Shields’ article says that last year, a staggering $9.3 billion was lost on the pokies in NSW (“No Reform in Sight as NSW punters lose big on pokies”, March 21). I would like to see where this money went, what percentage and dollar value went to the NSW government, how much was retained by the clubs and whoever else has fingers in the pie, including how much tax was paid to the federal government on profits made as a result of the massive losses. It would make very interesting reading. Geoff Lindsay, Thurgoona
I am flabbergasted at the yearly pokies losses of more than $9 billion. It is totally unacceptable that the government has yet to implement the findings of its own independent panel on gaming reform. These important reforms have languished, failing to address the crippling losses they were designed to fix. It’s time to prioritise the welfare of the people ahead of the gaming lobby. Daniela Catalano, Haberfield
Myanmar suffers
Michael Ruffles’ article highlights a crisis that receives far too little attention (“There is a war in our backyard that we have forgotten about”, March 21). Myanmar is on Australia’s doorstep, yet after five years of violence, displacement and economic collapse, it is largely absent from public debate. This silence risks allowing one of the region’s gravest humanitarian disasters to fade from view. I lived and worked in Myanmar from 2015 to 2019 and I have seen the scale of suffering, which is even worse today. The lack of sustained coverage is deeply concerning. The Herald is to be commended. We need more reporting like this. We cannot afford to look away. Stav Zotalis, Kingsford
Unis lost their way
Liam Mannix makes many good points (“Australia’s research system has long been broken”, March 19). Universities are now being directed away from curiosity-driven research partly by political “guidance” of their activities, for example, by university councils that are top-heavy with business leaders with little understanding of scholarly activities. Instead, activities that bring in money are rewarded – in particular, enrolling overseas students. Vice chancellors encourage income-generating activities at the expense, particularly, of fundamental research. Politically driven changes in the conduct of the major research-granting bodies (ARC, NHMRC) now support large groups that grind out reams of predictable research, rather than smaller, more nimble groups and individuals who undertake innovative but riskier fundamental research. This is despite ample evidence that innovative, fundamental research pays better long-term dividends (think vaccines from RNA virus research, climate change, oceanography). Timothy Miles (Emeritus Professor), Adelaide
Anti-Israel is not antisemitic
David Leser has expressed so eloquently what I and surely many others believe (“Yes, we feel unsafe, but many Jews know we always will while others live in peril”, March 21). We decry every day the loss of innocent lives across the Middle East in this terrible war, be they Muslim, Jewish, Christian or others. But somehow, calling out Israeli atrocities is equated with antisemitism, while nothing could be further from the truth. As Leser says, we need to be able to reflect this reality in our broader conversations without being branded antisemitic. Natalie Mabbitt, Randwick
While David Leser’s article raises some thought-provoking points, it falls into the trap of attributing antisemitism in Australia to the actions of the Israeli government. No other national or ethnic group in Australia is held to account for the actions of governments in countries overseas. So why is it considered reasonable for Jews in Australia to be relentlessly discriminated against for the actions of the Netanyahu government? Raymond Schwartz, Bellevue Hill
Wise and wondrous
Thank you again, Julia Baird, for another illuminating article (“Watch her shining wisdom, and weep”, March 21). After battling through the swamp of depressing daily news, the realisation that there are some people of innate goodness and wisdom was heartening. Can there be two people more opposite than Chinese filmmaker Chloé Zhao and Donald Trump? And why, oh why, are there so many more like the latter? Andrew Scott, Pymble
Our city, all forlorn
Michael Deeth is lucky to have a lawn, despite having to mow it so often (Letters, March 21). The way Sydney’s housing is being built these days, lawns are becoming obsolete, along with trees. Even on the street front, verges often had a tree and a bit of grass, but massive driveways are eating up that space. Julie Campbell, Redfern
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