Israeli Officials Explain Purpose and Progress of War in Iran

At a closed media briefing yesterday, senior Israeli officials set out what they said were the central purposes of the war in Iran and offered a progress report on the campaign so far.

WARWICK GREY

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17.3.2026

Gira a la Derecha! Latin America’s Rightward Turn

GREG MILLS AND RAY HARTLEY -

17.3.2026

The Case for South Africa: A Strong Hand if Played Correctly

FRANS CRONJE -

17.3.2026

ANC Faces Wipeout in eThekwini

MARIUS ROODT -

17.3.2026

DA on (Cilliers) Brink of Majority in Tshwane

POLLING CORRESPONDENT -

17.3.2026

Lower Inflation Print Unlikely to Shift SARB’s Cautious Stance

ECONOMICS DESK

- 17.3.2026

Dispatch from Washington: Terrorism and Senate Reform

RICHARD TREN

- 15.3.2026

Marco Rubio in Munich and the Paleo-Western Renaissance

KOOS MALAN

- 15.3.2026

On to Mars

RW JOHNSON

- 15.3.2026

The US Ambassador is Right on South Africa

DAVID ANSARA

- 15.3.2026

RICHARD TREN

Dispatch from Washington: Terrorism and Senate Reform

Richard Tren writes on the view from Washington on the latest global developments.

KOOS MALAN

Marco Rubio in Munich and the Paleo-Western Renaissance

Koos Malan writes on Marco Rubio's address at the Munich Security Conference.

DAVID ANSARA

The US Ambassador is Right on South Africa

SIMON LINCOLN READER

Mud Island? More Like "Hate" Island

DAVID ANSARA

How the War in Iran is Reshaping the World

SIMON LINCOLN READER

Did the UK Make the Right Decision on Iran?

SHRTS

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PLLING

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ANC Faces Wipeout in eThekwini

The party could win less than 10% of the vote in eThekwini, according to latest polling.

MARIUS ROODT

Is South Africa Heading in the Right Direction

Most South Africans Say Country is on the Wrong Track

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Pressing Issues for South Africans

A brief overview of the key issues currently affecting South Africa.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Frustration with Ramaphosa's Leadership: Can ANC Strengthen by Replacing Him?

Frustration with Ramaphosa's indecisiveness could strengthen ANC support if the party replaces him with a more decisive, reform-focused leader.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Motsepe Leads ANC Leadership Race on Favourability

New SRF polling finds Patrice Motsepe has the strongest favourability among three possible ANC leadership contenders, while Mbalula and Mashatile record higher negative ratings.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Leads DA by 11 Points in Latest Poll

Both the ANC and DA poll at close to their May 2024 vote shares.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

What Voters Made of John Steenhuisen

Voters had a mixed view of John Steenhuisen, who will step down as leader of the DA.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Nearly Two Thirds of South Africans View Their Fellow Citizens as "Morally Good"

Most South Africans have a positive view of their compatriots, unlike the situation in the US.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Cross-Party Support for BEE Reform

Reform of BEE is a popular policy position across political parties and race groups.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Faces Wipeout in eThekwini

The party could win less than 10% of the vote in eThekwini, according to latest polling.

MARIUS ROODT

Is South Africa Heading in the Right Direction

Most South Africans Say Country is on the Wrong Track

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Pressing Issues for South Africans

A brief overview of the key issues currently affecting South Africa.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Frustration with Ramaphosa's Leadership: Can ANC Strengthen by Replacing Him?

Frustration with Ramaphosa's indecisiveness could strengthen ANC support if the party replaces him with a more decisive, reform-focused leader.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Motsepe Leads ANC Leadership Race on Favourability

New SRF polling finds Patrice Motsepe has the strongest favourability among three possible ANC leadership contenders, while Mbalula and Mashatile record higher negative ratings.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Leads DA by 11 Points in Latest Poll

Both the ANC and DA poll at close to their May 2024 vote shares.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

What Voters Made of John Steenhuisen

Voters had a mixed view of John Steenhuisen, who will step down as leader of the DA.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Nearly Two Thirds of South Africans View Their Fellow Citizens as "Morally Good"

Most South Africans have a positive view of their compatriots, unlike the situation in the US.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Cross-Party Support for BEE Reform

Reform of BEE is a popular policy position across political parties and race groups.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Faces Wipeout in eThekwini

The party could win less than 10% of the vote in eThekwini, according to latest polling.

MARIUS ROODT

Is South Africa Heading in the Right Direction

Most South Africans Say Country is on the Wrong Track

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Pressing Issues for South Africans

A brief overview of the key issues currently affecting South Africa.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Frustration with Ramaphosa's Leadership: Can ANC Strengthen by Replacing Him?

Frustration with Ramaphosa's indecisiveness could strengthen ANC support if the party replaces him with a more decisive, reform-focused leader.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Motsepe Leads ANC Leadership Race on Favourability

New SRF polling finds Patrice Motsepe has the strongest favourability among three possible ANC leadership contenders, while Mbalula and Mashatile record higher negative ratings.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Leads DA by 11 Points in Latest Poll

Both the ANC and DA poll at close to their May 2024 vote shares.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

What Voters Made of John Steenhuisen

Voters had a mixed view of John Steenhuisen, who will step down as leader of the DA.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Nearly Two Thirds of South Africans View Their Fellow Citizens as "Morally Good"

Most South Africans have a positive view of their compatriots, unlike the situation in the US.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Cross-Party Support for BEE Reform

Reform of BEE is a popular policy position across political parties and race groups.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Faces Wipeout in eThekwini

The party could win less than 10% of the vote in eThekwini, according to latest polling.

MARIUS ROODT

Is South Africa Heading in the Right Direction

Most South Africans Say Country is on the Wrong Track

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Pressing Issues for South Africans

A brief overview of the key issues currently affecting South Africa.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Frustration with Ramaphosa's Leadership: Can ANC Strengthen by Replacing Him?

Frustration with Ramaphosa's indecisiveness could strengthen ANC support if the party replaces him with a more decisive, reform-focused leader.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Motsepe Leads ANC Leadership Race on Favourability

New SRF polling finds Patrice Motsepe has the strongest favourability among three possible ANC leadership contenders, while Mbalula and Mashatile record higher negative ratings.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Leads DA by 11 Points in Latest Poll

Both the ANC and DA poll at close to their May 2024 vote shares.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

What Voters Made of John Steenhuisen

Voters had a mixed view of John Steenhuisen, who will step down as leader of the DA.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Nearly Two Thirds of South Africans View Their Fellow Citizens as "Morally Good"

Most South Africans have a positive view of their compatriots, unlike the situation in the US.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Cross-Party Support for BEE Reform

Reform of BEE is a popular policy position across political parties and race groups.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

VIDES

VIEW ALL

Is Motsepe NOT Running For ANC Leadership?

THE COMMON SENSE

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17.3.2026

The Curious Case Of South Africa's US Ambassador

THE COMMON SENSE

-

16.3.2026

Why Did The US Decapitate The Iranian Leadership?

THE COMMON SENSE

-

11.3.2026

The Iran War: Best And Worst Case

THE COMMON SENSE

-

10.3.2026

What Is The ANC's Real History With Iran

THE COMMON SENSE

-

7.3.2026

Is Motsepe NOT Running For ANC Leadership?

THE COMMON SENSE

-

17.3.2026

The Curious Case Of South Africa's US Ambassador

THE COMMON SENSE

-

16.3.2026

Why Did The US Decapitate The Iranian Leadership?

THE COMMON SENSE

-

11.3.2026

The Iran War: Best And Worst Case

THE COMMON SENSE

-

10.3.2026

What Is The ANC's Real History With Iran

THE COMMON SENSE

-

7.3.2026

The War on Iran

The War in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz: Six Scenarios and How They Will Shape the Global Economy

In this Special Report, The Common Sense sets out six detailed scenarios for the war in Iran together with the global and market implications.

FRANS CRONJE

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17.3.2026

How America and Israel are Dismantling Iran's Missile Arsenal

REINE OPPERMAN

Why Did The US Decapitate The Iranian Leadership?

FRANS CRONJE

Iran’s Next Supreme Leader Confirmed

WARWICK GREY

The ANC’s Iran Myth: Tehran Was No Friend of the Liberation Movement

JAMES MYBURGH

How America and Israel are Dismantling Iran's Missile Arsenal

REINE OPPERMAN

Why Did The US Decapitate The Iranian Leadership?

FRANS CRONJE

Iran’s Next Supreme Leader Confirmed

WARWICK GREY

The ANC’s Iran Myth: Tehran Was No Friend of the Liberation Movement

JAMES MYBURGH

PLITICS

VIEW ALL

The Case for South Africa: A Strong Hand if Played Correctly

There are five cards South Africa currently holds that, if well played, will see the country become very successful over the next decade.

FRANS CRONJE

DA on (Cilliers) Brink of Majority in Tshwane

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Israeli Officials Explain Purpose and Progress of War in Iran

WARWICK GREY

Mbalula’s Abuse of Human Rights Day for Anti-US Rhetoric

WARWICK GREY

ANC Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Group Backs Demarche Against Bozell, DA Criticises Decision

POLITICS DESK

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The Common Sense

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The Common Sense

daily mailer

Our sharpest stories, straight to your inbox.

LISTEN NOW

GLBAL

VIEW ALL

Gira a la Derecha! Latin America’s Rightward Turn

Greg Mills and Ray Hartley write on how Javier Milei has offered oxygen to Latin America’s right.

GREG MILLS AND RAY HARTLEY

The War in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz: Six Scenarios and How They Will Shape the Global Economy

FRANS CRONJE

Fed Likely to Hold Rates as Inflation and Oil Prices Complicate Outlook

ECON DESK

Israeli Officials Explain Purpose and Progress of War in Iran

WARWICK GREY

The War in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz: Key Scenarios

FOREIGN AFFAIRS BUREAU

PDCASTS

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Makin Sense of Motsepe

THE COMMON SENSE

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15.3.2026

Should He Be Fired? Right Of Reply John Steenhuisen - Talking Sense

THE COMMON SENSE

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14.3.2026

Makin Sense Of The Iran War

THE COMMON SENSE

-

8.3.2026

Makin Sense of The Budget, CBS And Farm Attacks, The Common Sense VS The FT And Trump's Tariffs

THE COMMON SENSE

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1.3.2026

Makin Sense of Motsepe

THE COMMON SENSE

-

15.3.2026

Should He Be Fired? Right Of Reply John Steenhuisen - Talking Sense

THE COMMON SENSE

-

14.3.2026

Makin Sense Of The Iran War

THE COMMON SENSE

-

8.3.2026

Makin Sense of The Budget, CBS And Farm Attacks, The Common Sense VS The FT And Trump's Tariffs

THE COMMON SENSE

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1.3.2026

ECNOMICS

VIEW ALL

Fed Likely to Hold Rates as Inflation and Oil Prices Complicate Outlook

The US Federal Reserve is expected to leave interest rates unchanged this week as inflation pressures remain above target and rising oil prices cloud the outlook.

ECON DESK

Lower Inflation Print Unlikely to Shift SARB’s Cautious Stance

ECONOMICS DESK

The War in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz: Key Scenarios

FOREIGN AFFAIRS BUREAU

Western Cape Property Market to Continue Leading Growth in 2026 Despite Affordability Concerns

ECONOMICS DESK

Property Prices Continue to Grow Fast in Cape Town, Limpopo, and the Northern Cape

ECON DESK

LFE

King Sorrow, Joe Hill’s Latest, Proves the Real Horror is Living With What You Choose

Joe Hill returns to novel-writing with a slow-burn modern fantasy in which six friends summon a dragon to solve one crisis, only to spend decades paying the price.

LIFESTYLE DESK

King Sorrow, Joe Hill’s Latest, Proves the Real Horror is Living With What You Choose

The Daily Dog Walk That Keeps Both Ends of the Leash Healthy

Six Shows to Watch If You Love the Cringe Genius of Peep Show

SPRTS

Proteas Make Late Change to T20 WC Squad

Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs drafted into T20 World Cup squad after injuries rule out Tony de Zorzi and Donovan Ferreira.

SPORTS DESK