By Bevan Ramsden The Pacific and Pacific Rim countries have a geographical commonality. They are encircled by, or have a border with, the vast, blue, peaceful Pacific Ocean. They also share a political commonality. The people and countries of this region are under pressure to lift their military spending at the expense of addressing their social needs. The pressure comes …
By Binoy Kampmark Australia’s obsequiousness before US power was again on show at the Shangri-La Dialogue, a security forum convened by the International Institute for Strategic Studies to discuss matters relevant to the Indo-Pacific. What was clear was that the US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth was in a fighting mood. “America is proud to be back in the Indo-Pacific …
By Richard Stone A scramble appears under-way by the US to secure access to port facilities across the Indo-Pacific region for sensitive re-loading of armaments. The stated diplomatic position follows revelations about how the US Defence Department has already authorised their naval vessels in September to use Australian facilities for re-loading with cruise missiles. No comment has been forthcoming from …
By Bevan Ramsden Trump’s anti-China 60% import tax barrier will weaken China’s economy and is predicted to have flow on effects impacting negatively on Australia’s economy. Will our political leaders now realise that Australia’s involvement in a military war against China for which they are furiously preparing, would have a devastating impact on our economy and Australian life generally as …
By Shirley Winton This is a talk given by Shirley Winton at a public forum in Melbourne on 16 October, Fighting Inequality. Shirley’s talk addressed military spending in Australia and the US Alliance. Shirley spoke as a member of No AUKUS Coalition Vic and Independent and Peaceful Australia (Vic). Thank you for inviting me to speak at this forum. …
By Brian Boyd This is the second of a two part-series Rival trading blocs emerging Privately most major nation states are acknowledging that global trade is becoming dysfunctional. At the macro level that WTO has become powerless to prevent or even slow down the fracturing of the long-running, international ‘rules-based order’. On a regular basis China and the US exchange …
By Michael Williss A fresh warning that the US will lose a war with China has just been made by a US data analytics and military software company with US Department of Defense contracts. It seems no-one is prepared to back the US to win a war with China, so why is Australia going all-out to align itself with provocative …
By Richard Stone The official medal to a top US spook in Canberra has provided little room for ambiguity when assessing the close working relationship between the Australian and US intelligence services. They are closely linked. Australia has, therefore, been drawn ever closer to the US through diplomatic agreements, and continues to host their sensitive military and intelligence facilities. The …
May 2024, Melbourne Thank you May Day Committee for inviting us to speak on AUKUS, war and imperialism. I’m on the stolen lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulan nation, never ceded. I pay myrespects to their elders past present and emerging and stand in solidarity with the FirstNations people of this country in their 260 year long struggle …
By Bevan Ramsden Current Australian defence policy involves close integration with the United States military in all areas, making an independent foreign policy impossible and ensuring Australia’s automatic involvement in US-instigated wars such as a war with China, our major trading partner. A policy of neutrality would free Australia from involvement in such disastrous military adventures and enable the pursuit …
