This is a troublesome read. It just shows how dependent Australia is on the U.S.

WE REALLY NEED TO BECOME MORE UNALIGNED

Our future is based on building trade relations not on building machines of war.

#auspol #uspol #AUKUS #aukusporkus #nuclearsubs https://aus.social/@RichForrest2/110172383853692639

Australia offers a useful “canary in the coalmine” comparator, especially for small and medium-sized states that are facing a similar set of challenges from China. Canberra’s response in the face of increasingly hostile behavior from Beijing suggests the possibility of a loose template for other states seeking to protect themselves against a combination of political interference, coercive economic policies and other forms of pressure.

https://breakingdefense.com/2023/04/australia-in-chinas-shadow-lessons-for-other-nations-from-canberra-beijing-relations/

These anti-China, pro-United States articles concentrate on the "bad things" that China has done while conveniently ignoring the provocations from the US and its South Pacific deputy sheriff (I'm looking at you #Scomo and #Albo ).

A balanced view might lessen the current sabre rattling.

#auspol #uspol #AUKUS #aukusporkus #nuclearsubs

Australia a ‘vital partner’ for NATO’s plans on defending Taiwan

https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/australia-a-vital-partner-for-nato-s-plans-on-defending-taiwan-20230403-p5cxsy.html?utm_content=in_other_news&list_name=E2446F7A-1897-44FC-8EB8-B365900170E3&promote_channel=edmail&utm_campaign=am-smh&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_term=2023-04-05&mbnr=MzA1NTY1NTU&instance=2023-04-05-06-57-AEST&jobid=29590762

Everybody except the #labor government knows that #nuclearsubs will draw Australia into war with China - something only our #AUKUS loving politicians and their military toadies seem to want

#auspol #uspol #aukusporkus

The US Air Force’s Pacific Air Forces Commander, General Kenneth Wilsbach, has warned that the United States AND ITS ALLIES will need to step up their game in order to defendTaiwan, with air superiority and ship-killing weapons to be at the forefront of any defensive measures. [I added the upper case for emphasis]

Does this mean that the US Defence Dept already has Australia factored in as a partner in a war against Chine?

Certainly looks like it!

https://www.defenceconnect.com.au/strike-air-combat/11707-air-superiority-ship-killers-key-to-defending-taiwan-us-pacaf-commander

#auspol #uspol #aukus #aukusporkus #nuclearsubs 🐂💩

@Twitless said:

“I take it then that you think China does pose some kind of threat, and that it is worth the #aukus partners doing something?”

@Twitless your correct! China only represents a threat because a declining world power sees the use of its military as the only response to any challenge.

China is primarily a trading nation, its growth and power is a response to its economic growth. War is not a useful reaction for China; what would it gain from any war with the #AUKUS trio. China’s only interest in territorial expansion it for lands that have traditionally been part of China (Tibet (arguably), Hong Kong and Taiwan). It certainly doesn’t have a desire to invade Australia!

Look at America’s history of conflict since WW2; what has it achieved? Arguably, it’s only success has been the preservation of a stand-off with the USSR (a useful outcome). It’s actual military escapades have achieved nothing (Vietnam, Middle East, Afghanistan, Balkans, etc. etc.).

Why would Australia go to war with its major trading partner? It’s just madness, it’s just as stupid as Britain leaving the EU (cutting of its nose to spite its face).

Your analysis of international affairs would be better if you looked beyond the jingoism and looked at history and economics.

#auspol #uspol #aukusporkus

@Twitless said:

“I take it then that you think China does pose some kind of threat, and that it is worth the #aukus partners doing something?”

@Twitless your correct! China only represents a threat because a declining world power sees the use of its military as the only response to any challenge.

China is primarily a trading nation, its growth and power is a response to its economic growth. War is not a useful reaction for China; what would it gain from any war with the #AUKUS trio. China’s only interest in territorial expansion it for lands that have traditionally been part of China (Tibet (arguably), Hong Kong and Taiwan). It certainly doesn’t have a desire to invade Australia!

Look at America’s history of conflict since WW2; what has it achieved? Arguably, it’s only success has been the preservation of a stand-off with the USSR (a useful outcome). It’s actual military escapades have achieved nothing (Vietnam, Middle East, Afghanistan, Balkans, etc. etc.).

Why would Australia go to war with its major trading partner? It’s just madness, it’s just as stupid as Britain leaving the EU (cutting of its nose to spite its face).

Your analysis of international affairs would be better if you looked beyond the jingoism and looked at history and economics.

#auspol #uspol #aukusporkus

AUKUS - What have we done?

Australia becomes a target in any war between two nuclear powers. A situation entirely of our own making because Australia has been so eager to be subservient to the United States.

…the government (LNP and/or Labor) had no mandate for this.

https://johnmenadue.com/turning-damocles-sword-against-the-people/

#auspol #uspol #AUKUS #aukusporkus

#AUKUS - why can’t we discuss this?

Australia’s national security dilemma demands a mature debate

An informed debate on national security isn’t only healthy, it’s overdue. At such an important time, Australians deserve better than dubious scare campaigns. More than that, they deserve a mature national security discussion that treats opposing views with respect rather than ridicule. Achieving that is fundamental to democracy, which draws its greatest strength from the open contest of ideas.

https://theconversation.com/time-to-grow-up-australias-national-security-dilemma-demands-a-mature-debate-202040?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20March%2024%202023%20-%202579725941&utm_content=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20March%2024%202023%20-%202579725941+CID_74e4072e0cdd61f734973f8d649646c7&utm_source=campaign_monitor&utm_term=Time%20to%20grow%20up%20Australias%20national%20security%20dilemma%20demands%20a%20mature%20debate

#auspol #uspol #aukusporkus

AUKUS ALTERNATIVE…

The cost to Australia of the submarine program could be up to $368 billion over 30 years.

A more sensible approach might be for the AUKUS partners to negotiate with China on an arms control agreement to cap the number of regional nuclear submarines and avoid a hugely expensive arms race for all concerned.

https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/2023/03/15/expensive-stop-gap-aukus/

Now that would be a much too sensible alternative don’t you think?

#auspol #uspol #AUKUS #aukusporkus #nuclearpowered

If you are the least bit unsure about #AUKUS the have a look at this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgspkxfkS4k

Now did that clear things up for you? You still happy to spend $368 billion?

#auspol #uspol #aukusporkus

AUKUS is a dud deal. We’re safer on our own.

Instead of making our country a dumping ground for high-level nuclear waste and adding to the risks of proliferation, we could invest more in life-saving green technologies. And we would do all those great things free of any other country’s influence.

Let’s not be a lonely letter in someone else’s ugly acronym. Let America keep its attack subs and its attack politics. Right now, we are a lot safer on our own.

https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/aukus-is-a-dud-deal-we-re-safer-on-our-own-20230320-p5ctq4.html?utm_content=legacy_president_faces_harassment_complaints_denies_groping_allegation&list_name=E2446F7A-1897-44FC-8EB8-B365900170E3&promote_channel=edmail&utm_campaign=am-smh&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_term=2023-03-22&mbnr=MzA1NTY1NTU&instance=2023-03-22-06-53-AEDT&jobid=2957202

#auspol #uspol #AUKUS #aukusporkus #smh

JMSDF’s second Taigei-class submarine enters fleet

https://www.navaltoday.com/2023/03/20/jmsdfs-second-taigei-class-submarine-enters-fleet/

I hate to say this - but! if we had stuck with Tony Abbott's submarine plan our new subs would be ready for delivery soon

#auspol #uspol #AUKUS #aukusporkus #subs #defence

The federal government rejected calls to create a parliamentary committee to scrutinise the implementation of the AUKUS security pact. (From today’s SMH)

#Albo what’s the problem?

Surely there is nothing to hide? Is there?

#auspol #uspol #AUKUS #aukusporkus

Australia has a massive debt (I know gov't debt is not the same as your personal debt) which needs to be paid back

Key items are:
1. COVID-19 relief $300 billion
2. Stage 3 Tax Cuts $240 billion
3. AUKUS $380 billion

Almost $1 trillion

In a recent survey I asked how you would like to see it handled

Nobody supported #AUKUS, 7% wanted #Stage3 Tax Cuts, 7% wanted BOTH AUKUS and the tax cuts, 86% wanted neither!!!

Are you listening #Albo

#auspol #uspol #aukus #aukusporkus

#AUKUS and Paul Keating…

“Instead of digging into the matter to find out the truth about our biggest defence spend ever along with its strategic ramifications, let’s just claim Paul Keating has lost it.” (Michael Pascoe in The New Daily)

Whether you support #AUKUS or not you should ask yourself two questions:

1. How did we get here (how was the decision made)?
2. Are we being given all the facts (it’s $368trillion after all)?

#auspol #uspol #aukusporkus

More of Paul Keating on #ANZUS

“Anthony Albanese, befuddled by his own small target election strategy, emerges as Prime Minister with an American sword to rattle at the neighbourhood to impress upon it the United States’s esteemed view of its untrammelled destiny.”

If our #labor leader has let us down, Keir Starmer the #ukpol Labour leader might save us when he becomes #uk prime minister

#auspol #uspol #aukusporkus

Paul Keating on #labor support for #AUKUS

“Signing the country up to the foreign proclivities of another country – the United States, with the gormless Brits, in their desperate search for relevance, lunging along behind is not a pretty sight.”

One sentence that sums up the whole sorry business of #aukusporkus

#auspol #uspol #368billion

@timrichards @luciedigitalni
The other reason is that we will be paying $268 - $368 billion to UK and US as opposed to $106 billion contracted to France.
So a nice little earner for UK.

And such a good deal for us...not
#Auspol2023 #AUKUS #aukusporkus #Nuclearsubmarines

Give the despicable yanks an inch and they take a mile. Our servile government refuses to stand up to the belligerent jerks.

Time to put our collective feet down and demand the US bases in Australia are shut down. They make us a nuclear target and what for? US chest-beating, planet-destroying fascist scumbags? #USBasesOut #AUKUSPORKUS #auspol #NoWar4US

While we are going to sign up for these UK submarines (with a life span of at least 25 years) their replacement has started the initial design process.

Australia would be smart if it gets intoned in this early design process.⏤ is out Navy/government up to the task? Lets hope so!

#auspol #AUKUSPORKUS https://mastodon.au/@pja/109861473841478036