'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

Danielle, thanks for visiting my blog and for your kind words.

Mac, you're right, we are tied to a declining world power, one that both loves and needs war.

Most Australians don't bother to think about America or question why it has military bases spread all over the world, why it invades and occupies resource-rich countries, why it sticks its nose into the affairs of so many countries, why it controls so many countries by using promises of aid, why it's in bed with so many dictators and tyrannical Kings, why it supports capitalism and greed, etc.

If they bothered to ask themselves these questions, they might change their attitude dramatically. Could I suggest the OLO readers have a look at anti-war.com, get a different perspective on things. Currently the FBI is raiding the homes of anti-war activists in an attempt to close them down.

America wants its citizens to think war, to love war, to see war as the solution to all problems.

Such thinking borders on insanity!

http://www.anti-war.com

Not having read yet the main articles this writer refers to, it's quite difficult to comment knowledgeably. That the strategic balance is changing is beyond doubt, and struggles between major powers are very rarely violence-free: indeed, if this one is, it will be the first.
The question for Australian foreign policy is how to not get swept up in the coming violence, as well as trying to prevent that violence from being the last thing humans on this earth ever do

LOL mac and David G

Enjoy your America-bashing.

I have a feeling you are not going to enjoy the "post-America" world as much as you imagine. I think we are in for a VERY rough time.

camo

Powershifts are times of maximum danger. It is not at all clear what is the best way forward and in truth we won't know for a while. Hard-headed calculation rather than playing to prejudices is what is needed.

Stevenimyer, I'm glad you enjoy reading the truth about America.

I agree with your premise that we could be moving into an uncertain world but Steven, it's already uncertain.

And being buddy boys with America, the world's most hated, feared and greedy imperial nation, makes it more so.

Australia needs to seek alliances with peaceful nations, not with warmongers.

stevenlmeyer,

I have to agree with David G that the US is a remarkably bellicose society with an appalling record of usually futile 'interventions' since 1945 at the cost of millions of lives. America can't even finance its own wars anymore without East Asian finance, a rather ominous development to say the least, which accelerates the nation's decline.
And, no I'm not going to 'enjoy' the 'post-America' world much, fortunately I probably won't live to see it. We,in this little Western outpost, need to adjust to the new stategic realities, quickly and intelligently as there are enormous opportunities in Asia. Australia is effectively shut out of the EU and the USA because of trade barriers and their mature economies, so East and South Asia are our best economic opportunities in history.
Through most of history India and China have been the economic giants and after 500 years of Western hegemony the situation is returning to normal.

A note of caution, many years ago, when I was at Business School 'Japan as #1' was all the rage, not any more, futurology is an inexact discipline.

Yes our relationship with the USA has become abusive to the point one would have to be a stooge not to think twice about it;
Since we have sacrificed ourself to the USA we have:
1- a one-sided free trade agreement
2- Given grief over AWB and cheated out of our majority in wheat imports.
3- Twice had attempts by our 'friends' to dump Gitmo terrorists on our shores (Bush and Obama tried it).
4- Had a citizen deported for software piracy for 10 years (illegal).
5- No action against stationed US soldiers for assaults against Australians

And why?
-Because China is going to invade us for some reason despite being transported to one of the most wealthy superpowers from trade with foreign countries (most especially us)
-Because Indonesia, a multi-ethnic democracy with a moderate (or at worse borderline conservative) Islamic majority, and a tiny wahabi fringe in impoverished remote areas, is going to go 'crazy' and attack us, because deep down they're jealous that they're stuck on a series of tropical islands with high quality soil when they could be partying it up on a desert continent.

In other words, we're getting screwed- and also alienated from the world, and increasing our profile to terrorists, for the sake of two non-existent threats.

My solution is we take a more neutral foreign policy; We could throw in a bit about being dragged into Iraq, but also Israeli spies forging Australian passports, and the attempt to give us Gitmo detainees as a reason for refusing to participate further (so any Islamists don't get any silly ideas that we're more privy to their activities).

Danielle,

I will leave any direct response to your comment to others who seem to be better informed than you are on these matters.

However, I would suggest you allow yourself 5 minutes a day to visit My Catbird Seat and see the inputs from the likes of Jeff Gates, Gordon Duff and many others, regarded throughout the world as fearless purveyors of the truth, just waiting for some Jewish media owner to sue them, this being perhaps the only way to draw the sleepy world's attention to things such as...
*the Afghanistan drug crop, 90% of the world's supply, protected by US troops, revenues to the Taliban for weapons. (Not one hectare destroyed, not one) 21 Australians killed to date.
*the massacres at Shatilla and Sabra. Do not research this if you are subject to nausea.
*the attack on the USS Liberty. Please read this one, Danielle. It is well documented on the web. Now 43 years ago, but still the best example of perfidy you can find. Even 9/11 won't equal this act.
A latter-day (1967) Pearl Harbour.
*the real 9/11 story. See Alan Sabrosky. He's there in big type.
*the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and the motivations for same, and now..
* the Israeli commencement of the building construction yesterday on Palestinian land. "We will meet every week", says Obama. That lasted three weeks only, as arranged. All according to plan.

It costs nothing to be well informed. But skip anything that Murdoch controls. At this date, Fairfax still has a commitment to the truth.

As for Gillard, try taking off your rose-coloured glasses and seeing her for what she is. What she represents today will assuredly be different than what she will be tomorrow. It does depend on which way the wind is blowing.

Very True rexw, good points