Operation Epic Fury is the name the US military uses for its war against Iran, which Mr Trump launched in a joint offensive with Israel in February. Mr Albanese, supported by Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister Richard Marles, issued a statement backing that action, citing the need to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and to protect Australians in the region. What was framed as a short, sharp attack has instead dragged on, with even senior government figures admitting they have no idea when it will end.
The contrast with the prime minister's earlier record is sharp. Twenty-three years ago, as a new opposition frontbencher, Mr Albanese was one of more than 40 senators and Labor MPs who signed an open letter to then US president George W Bush opposing the Iraq war. In March 2003 he told parliament the decision was "supporting a pre-emptive strike, which changes forever the way that international politics works". Tanya Plibersek, his longtime leadership rival, said at the time: "We wanted to let him know that there were many people in Australia, including the Labor Party, who didn't support the war in Iraq." Mr Albanese acknowledged the need for regime change; it was the method, not the sentiment, that Labor opposed.
Writing for ABC News, Patricia Karvelas says governing has required Mr Albanese to blunt parts of his old combative style, but the pressure is building. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has sent the government into a panic over low domestic fuel supplies and high bowser prices. The Labor backbench has been muted during the eight months of war but has become slightly more vocal in recent weeks, and some MPs want Mr Albanese to condemn Mr Trump and create distance from an unpopular president. Labor fought the last election by signalling it was the anti-Trump party, portraying Peter Dutton as a Trump-like figure, a case Ms Karvelas argues will be hard to sustain without stronger language and action.
Ms Karvelas also draws a contrast with Britain, where a new "be ready" campaign urges households to stockpile three days of supplies including bottled water, non-perishable food, a battery or wind-up FM radio and cash. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said there was not a "specific thing" in mind for potential emergencies, describing the advice as "everyday national resilience" and adding: "We want people to be alert but not alarmed."