'Prime Minister Gillard illustrated this when she listed Australia's external priorities as the American alliance, support for Israel, the commitment to Afghanistan and the (undifferentiated) region'

This is an accurate summary of the extent to which such a feckless PM has gone to consider that humanitarian aspects of foreign policy. There is nothing in what Gillard has ever said that shows one iota of concern for freedoms, fairness or international law. The fact that she subscribes totally to the US dictates is an indication yet again of the relative unimportance in the world of this little country of Australia. Again this week we see further examples of the naivety of Rudd as the new spokesman for Australia treading the international boards, expousing all that is US policy and seldom varying outside of the safe areas of following in the footsteps of the most inept and weak president in US history, Obama, an Israeli stooge.

We should save on the costs of a foreign affairs portfolio and just outsource our policies to those that come from Washington. Such US policies of supporting the Israeli initiatives of a war in Iraq, not over yet by a long way, the oil and drug war in Afghanistan with 10 Australian deaths so far this year, another war on the agenda with Iran if Israel has its way again and forget about being a power for good in the Pacific in the support of small Island states, a humane and just policy for Palestine (unlikely due to Gillard's compromised position and subservience to the Melbourne Jews who control her thinking) and supporting East Timor as a gesture of goodwill.

2010 will be a most trying time for this little country of ours as we see the quality of the elected representatives fighting and squabbling over divisions in the house, legislation that will not be approved and a distinct lack of any bipartisanship, even more like a bunch of errant school children then ever before. They are a disgrace

What a country we have become

Reg Little wrote:

>>Modern Australia has been totally defined and highly privileged within a global order determined by Anglo-American power. AUSTRALIANS ARE IN NO WAY PREPARED OR EDUCATED TO ADJUST TO ANOTHER ORDER OF POWER.>>

(Capitalisation added)

And therein lies the nub of the matter. America, our most important and still very powerful strategic ally is suffering a decline in relative power. That decline is probably irreversible.

Yet America probably still has an important role to play in the Asia Pacific. There seems to be a growing de facto alliance between Washington, New Delhi, and a variety of smaller countries to counter-balance growing Chinese power. What role, if any, should Australia attempt to play in this?

Indonesia is set to dominate this region. It has a population ten times that of Australia’s and a rapidly growing economy. It is a Muslim country. In future Jakarta could be more important to the US than Canberra.

What happens if Indonesia goes “fundamentalist”?

Australians have not even begun to think about the shape of the new world order that is shaping up. One thing though is certain. It is likely to be LESS BENIGN than the one we’ve known since 1945. Shielded by American power we were able to imagine ourselves a major player on the world stage.

The bien pensant who love dissing America may look back with nostalgia on the “good old days” when the US was the unchallenged global hegemon.

Periods of power-shift are always the most dangerous. That’s when wars and depressions are the most likely.

The sooner Australia cuts its ties to the world's principal imperial warmongering nation: America, the better!

America is in economic decline and its leadership is visionless and immoral. Currently it is investigating activists who oppose war via the FBI. Their homes are being raided and computers and bank records seized.

In the land of free speech it seems that speaking against war is a crime.

Australia needs to distance itself from both America and Israel. Whether Julia has the intelligence or judgment to see this is highly questionable.

Doesn't she know that dancing with wolves is asking for trouble?

http://www.dangerouscreation.com

stevenlmeyer has brought a clear-sighted and reasoned analysis to this discussion. He is accurate on all points; his comments should give anyone concerned about Australia's position pause for deep thought.

rexw,

You have made some strange allegations. I am sure readers OLO would like evidence of your claims, not the least: "Gillard's compromised position and subservience to the Melbourne Jews who control her thinking." Ludicrous! It sounds suspiciously like the old conspiracy theory re-wrapped especially for Australia. You know, of course, Labour made overtures to, and sweetheart deals with the Greens, who now hold a significant role in parliament ...

David G. I accessed your blog http://www.dangerouscreation.com

The lead to one of your articles: "9/11, The Moon Landing, And Lying!"
I would suggest that those coming to 'Sanctury in Peril' read your blog, enlightening on many levels.

Danielle,

Thank you for your kind words.

David G I understand that for you the US is some kind of uber-baddy, the epitome of evil.

However you may find the next hegemon in this region to be even worse.

Worst of all may be no hegemon, nobody able to maintain a balance of power. That could lead to wars.

See for example:

China and India: the great game's new players

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/sep/25/china-india-great-game

Quotes:

>>In the east, a large number of Chinese troops have entered Pakistani-held territory high in the mountain fastness of the Kashmir Karakorams, in the picturesque Gilgit-Baltistan region, not far from the glacial battlefield of Siachen, where India and Pakistan confront each other. >>

>>Rudyard Kipling's old "great game" now has new contestants. Instead of an expansionist Russian empire confronting imperial Britain, IT IS NOW A CHINA HUNGRY FOR LAND, WATER AND RAW MATERIALS THAT IS FLEXING ITS MUSCLES, ENCROACHING ON HIMALAYAN REDOUBTS AND DIRECTLY CHALLENGING INDIA.>>

(Capitalisation added)

>>…Even while trade expands, China is attempting to confine India within greatly foreshortened land and sea borders through its so-called "string of pearls policy".

This effort to encircle India by sea with strategically positioned naval stations from Hainan in the east to Gwadar in the west, and on land by promoting bogus Pakistani claims that undermine India's territorial integrity, takes the "great game" to a new and more dangerous level. Indeed, the pincer of Afghanistan and Gilgit/Baltistan poses the gravest challenge to India's statecraft since independence.>>

India will need the US to help contain an expansionist China.

The US will need India for the same reason.

If the US drops out of the game all bets are off.

Interesting article and it presents some disturbing realities.

How can any credible,ethical foreign policy incorporate support for Israel, it's rather like supporting the apartheid regime in South Africa.

The ANZUS treaty that supposedly guarantees US assistance in a crisis really guarantees nothing much at all. Unfortunately, we're tying ourselves to a declining imperial power, again, and the consequences of repeating that policy could be disastrous in this century.

It's easy to blame politicians for the glacial pace of our policy realignments,however, how many Australians would seriously face strategic realities and contemplate ending the US alliance?
The comforting delusion of 'The Great and Powerful Friend' seems to be part of the national character