Cannot think of any tangible benefit to Australia from being the USAs lapdog since WW2. They sell us the same stuff they sell everyone else, they they make us go to wars we have no right to be at, where our boys commit war crimes, they made us a nuclear target. It devalues our voice as a responsible middle power. We tell ourselves that we're important because we're part of the Five Eyes, but again we just make ourselves targets unnecessarily. Honestly can anyone tell me what good the US alliance is, apart from a far-fetched fear of invasion?
They rescued us when Britain abandoned us in 1942 (though of course, it was in their own interests to do so). The assumption has always been that our loyalty would be rewarded if necessary. The idea of an invasion didn’t seem so far-fetched in the years after 1945, or even in the relatively recent past when Indonesia seemed like a possible adversary. But now that the enemy du jour is China, our policies only made sense on the basis of general support for democracy, which has ceased to be relevant - even if Trump doesn’t establish a domestic dictatorship he prefers dictatorship to democracy in general. It will take a while for that to sink in,.
As far as long-term thinking goes, its important thing to remember that Trump is a concern only because of the unwavering support of the Republican party. The party will support any lunatic that can deliver votes/power for them. American support for foreign policy will rely on interests aligning with the Republican domestic agenda of the moment.
I read a theme here that Australia needs to understand the changed geopolitical landscape, but vitally, must act upon the new settings. In my view, the governments of Dunstan (SA) and Hawke/Keating are the bravest and most radical. They were not hampered by fear of the next electoral outcome, contrasting with subsequent parties who tiptoe timidly lest the public, or Party, tip them out.
It really is time we declared long term policies that whilst not ignoring international change, starts to rebuild our manufacturing, creative, and training capacities to prepare for a likely adverse change in the international scenario.
I think you might slightly underestimate the racism of the Republican Party. It works in Australia's favor, much like Republican racism works in Israel's favor. Of course, Israel has been mining this vein for several generations, and Australia's public diplomacy in the US has not been aimed at the MAGA crowd.
The Commonwealth might remember its residual ties to Australia and NZ a bit longer, but US intervention was always based the protection of democracy, which was the ultimate principle the US stood behind and believed in. This is true no more; under Donald Trump, the primary principle America stands for is the free market. AU/NZ can expect allyship and support from the US so long as we are promoting that and living within that metric, but it’s not so much of a motivating force if you’re wanting them to actually come over here and help us if we’re under threat.
If it wasn't for the risk of nuclear proliferation I'd support Australia having its own nuclear arsenal. Certainly, if Ukraine had held on to its nuclear weapons, Russia would never have invaded it.
My hope for Australia's defence is for us to be as independent and self-reliant as possible, and to build strong relationships with all our immediate neighbours based on trust and mutual support. However, we have a long way to go with that with climate action, but I'm optimistic that our democratic systems are durable enough for us to have a better option than either of the two self-interested major parties.
MAGA is essentially nationalist and Trump’s MAGA is a variation on Reagan’s MAGA, in the US nationalism has its roots in colonial times.
On a larger scale, if we can accept that global power is shared between the US, China and Russia, then I would rather we be allied with the US. That shouldn’t preclude us with forming alliances with other nations, particularly in what is known as SE Asia.
It was once thought that global trade would ease tensions and encourage peace however globalisation has created its own set of problems.
Cannot think of any tangible benefit to Australia from being the USAs lapdog since WW2. They sell us the same stuff they sell everyone else, they they make us go to wars we have no right to be at, where our boys commit war crimes, they made us a nuclear target. It devalues our voice as a responsible middle power. We tell ourselves that we're important because we're part of the Five Eyes, but again we just make ourselves targets unnecessarily. Honestly can anyone tell me what good the US alliance is, apart from a far-fetched fear of invasion?
They rescued us when Britain abandoned us in 1942 (though of course, it was in their own interests to do so). The assumption has always been that our loyalty would be rewarded if necessary. The idea of an invasion didn’t seem so far-fetched in the years after 1945, or even in the relatively recent past when Indonesia seemed like a possible adversary. But now that the enemy du jour is China, our policies only made sense on the basis of general support for democracy, which has ceased to be relevant - even if Trump doesn’t establish a domestic dictatorship he prefers dictatorship to democracy in general. It will take a while for that to sink in,.
As far as long-term thinking goes, its important thing to remember that Trump is a concern only because of the unwavering support of the Republican party. The party will support any lunatic that can deliver votes/power for them. American support for foreign policy will rely on interests aligning with the Republican domestic agenda of the moment.
I read a theme here that Australia needs to understand the changed geopolitical landscape, but vitally, must act upon the new settings. In my view, the governments of Dunstan (SA) and Hawke/Keating are the bravest and most radical. They were not hampered by fear of the next electoral outcome, contrasting with subsequent parties who tiptoe timidly lest the public, or Party, tip them out.
It really is time we declared long term policies that whilst not ignoring international change, starts to rebuild our manufacturing, creative, and training capacities to prepare for a likely adverse change in the international scenario.
I think you might slightly underestimate the racism of the Republican Party. It works in Australia's favor, much like Republican racism works in Israel's favor. Of course, Israel has been mining this vein for several generations, and Australia's public diplomacy in the US has not been aimed at the MAGA crowd.
The Commonwealth might remember its residual ties to Australia and NZ a bit longer, but US intervention was always based the protection of democracy, which was the ultimate principle the US stood behind and believed in. This is true no more; under Donald Trump, the primary principle America stands for is the free market. AU/NZ can expect allyship and support from the US so long as we are promoting that and living within that metric, but it’s not so much of a motivating force if you’re wanting them to actually come over here and help us if we’re under threat.
If it wasn't for the risk of nuclear proliferation I'd support Australia having its own nuclear arsenal. Certainly, if Ukraine had held on to its nuclear weapons, Russia would never have invaded it.
Well said, John. 100% agree.
My hope for Australia's defence is for us to be as independent and self-reliant as possible, and to build strong relationships with all our immediate neighbours based on trust and mutual support. However, we have a long way to go with that with climate action, but I'm optimistic that our democratic systems are durable enough for us to have a better option than either of the two self-interested major parties.
MAGA is essentially nationalist and Trump’s MAGA is a variation on Reagan’s MAGA, in the US nationalism has its roots in colonial times.
On a larger scale, if we can accept that global power is shared between the US, China and Russia, then I would rather we be allied with the US. That shouldn’t preclude us with forming alliances with other nations, particularly in what is known as SE Asia.
It was once thought that global trade would ease tensions and encourage peace however globalisation has created its own set of problems.
Always good to hear from you, given your smarts and your different perspective (from mine, in the US).