Living in the driest continent on the globe, Australians may think they know all about drought. They don't.

Should these air-strikes lead Moscow to the negotiating table and force it to accept a solution for Syria without Bashar al Assad's involvement, then the US could claim a victory. However, last year Donald Trump warned that attacking Mr Assad risked starting "World War III" with Russia.

• EDITORIAL

The cash economy's resilience reflects the great Australia tax avoidance ethos.

• EDITORIAL

The taxpayers of NSW have accepted privatisation when the benefits are explained and the process is transparent. But the proposed sell-off of the NSW land titles registry is causing concern.

• Editorial

Not much can yet be said about a second Sydney airport, except that it will happen.

It's easy to see how the drama could be seen as entertainment, rather than a serious threat.

Voters remain sceptical of the government's narrative. So selling the May 9 budget will be tough.

The commission has been a resounding success and a nation-changer. But has it changed the culture at the 4000-plus institutions that allowed or were blind to child abuse?

Public servants working in the private sector can bring many benefits - but also create problems.

As a reluctant political player backed by newbie Premier Gladys Berejiklian, and as what some see as a safe internal appointment, he must bring together warring factions.

The reliance on ministerial discretion in the draft pact provides a good reason for all Australians to be relieved that the treaty will not be ratified.

The newbie Premier must hope that her transport plans and economic record will prevail over voter anger.

• Editorial

The government's strategy is at risk of backfiring, now that multiple bills for an independent commission are attracting crossbench support.

Some voters will forgive the Prime Minister because he's been preoccupied with shoring up his job. But it's time to offer more.

Does Justin Milne agree that the ABC is merely "one of" our most trusted and respected institutions and, if so, how does he intend to make it the most trusted and respected?

Why do so many of our politicians sound so fake and empty?

Muslim extremism is being reformed as we speak into two even less predictable threats: a guerrilla warfare outfit that focuses more on western nations, drawing on returning fighters as lone wolves.

• Editorial

On the face of it a postal vote without the need for legislation might settle the issue more quickly and cheaply than fighting for a free vote or traditional in-person plebiscite.

• Editorial

We should all be concerned at the sustained push by the complementary medicine industry for advertising self-regulation.

The test of the statement's importance will be whether extremists try to use it as cover for spreading intolerance.

• Editorial

Ah, the four-day work week. It's a bit like the paperless office, or world peace. Many agree it's a great idea, and we should do it, but somehow we never get there.

This belated yet welcome effort to make housing more affordable might be for nought, at least if increasing worries about a property market crash become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

But expanding the Snowy Hydro scheme does not fix the problems of years of neglect of a national plan.

The tension between development and environmental preservation is a contest of the fast and the slow. Port Douglas, the once thriving Queensland tourist mecca, is facing a slow decline as the Great Barrier Reef, formerly its big attraction, quietly dies beneath the waters to its east and north.

The third Test is as much about posturing as playing.

• Editorial

Canberra is sounding the alarm loud and clear at the likely direction of United States policy in our region under President Donald Trump.

During the next two months Europe could emerge more divided and nationalistic than ever.

It is possible – but not certain - that the One Nation revival will burn up like Clive Palmer's star did. The forthcoming Queensland state election will be crucial.

There's no easy choices for the disability dilemma.