Jonathan Pearlman, the world editor of The Saturday Paper and editor of Australian Foreign Affairs, dives into the escalating tensions in the Middle East, focusing on the recent rocket attacks from Hezbollah and Israel's retaliatory strikes. He discusses the precarious balance between both parties, emphasizing their reluctance to plunge into full-scale war. The podcast also explores Hezbollah's substantial military presence in Lebanon, its ties to Iran, and the implications for regional alliances, including its support for Hamas amidst ongoing geopolitical complexities.