BP,

Whatever. You are obviously determined to see the worst in what the government does, even when it is very belatedly waking up to the problems we face. Just wait until next year, and you will probably have a different government to stuff things up the way you want.

With all respect to all OLO contributors, there is a clear difference between Australia's prospects when supported by the US than without US support.

Just ask the Asian neighbours of China if they would prefer the US to leave in these difficult times where China clearly displays its desire to rock the boat.

How do you think events would play out now if the US was not around?

Please explain rather than just saying things like we should be independent of be pacifist.

Paul1405 said- ISIS is at war with the Taliban, they view the Taliban as too moderate soft cocks, and sell outs. The Taliban are now "friendly" with the Chinese

Answer-

The ISIS (Muslim Brotherhood/ Mujahideen/ Al-Qaeda- The Cause) / Taliban (Students) relationship seems to be similar to the Nihilist/ Locke Liberal relationship of Dostoevsky's Demon's.

It's interesting that the Chinese might see the Taliban as their natural ally against the West- but perhaps it's just that the Taliban have brought the Chinese a "treasure chest".

At some level the Taliban vs ISIS is a friendly relationship just as between Dostoevsky's Demon's- Locke Liberal's vs Nihilist's (Communists).

But it's still fascinating to see a similar story in a different context

Yes Chris, lets ask the Vietnamese if they can trust the US and the other colonial powers, can they trust Australia? A nation that might have a different perspective on whose friendly and whose not. The countries of SE Asia in close proximity of China have always feared their larger neighbour, just as they can't trust America and its allies.

We can apply unreal "what ifs" , "if the US was not around", but the reality is they are around, and as usual stirring the pot, sorry protecting American interests. What if the Martians took over the world, well they haven't, so they are not a concern to me and don't effect my views. What business do the warmongering British have in sticking their noses in our region. Their track record doesn't read all that well, been in more modern wars than any other nation, except for the United States. They are not doing well, their report card makes for dismal reading.

Paul, what business does any power have in being in far away regions.

Well, all powers operate that way. That is how order is imposed in this competitive world.

What is your solution?

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Dear ttbn,

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You wrote :

1. « You are obviously determined to see the worst in what the government does, … »
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Cancelling the “contract of the century” with France just 5 years after it began and choosing nuclear submarines from the US instead is a monumental political decision that interrogates every single thinking Australian – including you and me, ttbn.

My immediate reaction was why such a brutal about-turn ? What was the problem ? The official explanation was that it was due to a change in our national defence strategy and that the US had made an offer that was too good to refuse.

That seemed understandable given the recent aggressiveness of China and its bullying tactics in its dealings with Australia. But, on reflection, it gradually occurred to me that the decision had not just advantages but also inconveniences – which I explained in detail in my previous posts.

I do my best to see the full picture - not just part of it.
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2. « Just wait until next year, and you will probably have a different government to stuff things up the way you want »
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What I would like, ttbn, is what I wrote in my penultimate post :

« Personally, I would like to see Australia assume its responsibilities as an independent nation in the Indo-Pacific. We seem to be heading in the opposite direction »
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I hope I am not the only one who wants that. Wasn’t that what our soldiers fought and died for in the Indo-Pacific during the Second World War ?

« Australia incurred losses of 45,841 not including deaths and illnesses from natural causes such as disease: 17,501 killed (including POW deaths in captivity), 13,997 wounded, and 14,345 living POWs. New Zealand lost 578 men killed, with an unknown number wounded or captured. 6 warships of the Royal Australian Navy totalling 29,391 tons were sunk: 3 cruisers (Canberra, Perth, and Sydney), 2 destroyers (Vampire and Voyager), and 3 corvettes (Armidale, Geelong, and Wallaroo, the latter two in accidents) » :

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_War#Casualties

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