The stalemate in the Middle East continues with neither the US or Iran backing down. US President Donald Trump continues to do the bidding of Russia by withdrawing some troops from Germany.
On the local scene, Shadow Defence Minister James Paterson addressed the National Press Club and outlined a vision noticeably different from the government’s – particularly regarding the US alliance. He stated the obvious that under Trump the US is no longer the reliable, predictable ally it once was.
He remains enthusiastic about the purchase of nuclear-powered submarines but is less certain about their delivery schedule. He said that AUKUS Pillar One needs to be examined in detail and if it looks like the schedule is slipping, Australia should consider alternatives such as the purchase of B-21 long range bombers.
We conclude with some wise words from former foreign minister Gareth Evans and DFAT head Peter Varghese. Both believe Australia could be doing a lot more to strengthen our security without being totally dependent on the US.
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So Patterson’s demand for more government transparency re the AUKUS abortion his coalition concocted, concealed then ambushed Australia, France and Labor with, strikes you as a good thing rather than weapons grade hypocrisy ?
Not especially – he wasn’t part of the original decision-making group. He accepts that the Coalition made mistakes. Mind you, I will be very surprised if he in fact lives up to the transparency commitment should the Coalition return to power. At least he accepts that the world has changed and AUKUS might not deliver – unlike Richard Marles.
The phalanx of qualified reality checks ignored by this toxic mĂ©nage Ă trois render the sentence “AUKUS might not deliver” a fatal understatement at best.
Agree totally – but try telling that to the government / Defence. They simply will not listen.
This week’s article by Mr Gray under the ASPI banner regarding the Taigei class submarine nearly made me choke on my Wheatbix. Five years on, it seems that the AUKUS optimal pathway had an assumed level of risk tolerance that wasn’t compatible with Australia’s emerging strategic environment. Who could have thought?
This is going to end in tears.