The Morning Edition Return of 'ISIS brides' raises many questions about what it means to be Australian
Feb 19, 2026
Paul Sakkal, Canberra political correspondent, and Michael Bachelard, Walkley-winning conflict reporter, unpack Australians trying to return from Syrian camps. They map who these women and children are. They discuss passports, legal rights, temporary exclusion orders, political shifts after the Bondi attacks, hardline migration leaks and the risk of mainstreaming extremist rhetoric.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Living Conditions In Al Hol Camp
- Michael Bachelard described Australians in Al Hol living in tents amid dust and danger with babies and toddlers present.
- He said they were forced to keep niqabs on and lived in dire conditions for years before some moved to Al Roj.
Interview Conditions Were Highly Restricted
- Bachelard recalled strict security and short interviews inside tents due to danger in the camps.
- He emphasised the tense environment and risk for women being seen without niqabs among hardliners.
Rhetoric Versus Legal Duty
- Paul Sakkal and Michael Bachelard note the government's rhetoric hardened while still issuing passports.
- They highlight a rhetorical double game: denying assistance while fulfilling legal passport obligations.