3 ms·

This is amazing, is it always about money? Surely there are other examples.

dirtyid 5y ago
>always about money Usually the messier politics behind the scenes, in this case there was little notification, embarrassed French Pacific ambitions (France has substantial territory/EEZ holdings next to Australia), and a few months before the French election. Also diplomatically a dick move for transatlantic relationship, EU just announced their Indo-Pacific strategy. Last time in 1995 also had AU messing with French embassy diplomatic bags, delaying French ships at AU ports and other shenanigans. Recalls don't happen that often, especially between "friendly" countries. It's pretty wierd it happened twice between France and Australia. Arguably French deserved it, but Australia also seems to have gone full bogan. US / France has their own drama, especially in MIC competition, i.e. US label France of conducting industrial espionage on par with China, meanwhile US poached lucrative contracts from France before. So both money and political influence.
- sudosysgen 5y ago
  US industrial espionage on the level of China and France (using Echelon and the rest of the NSA) was uncovered in the Snowden leaks. It's also about the US trying to force Australia to commit to an anti-China policy while the conservative government is in power. Australia announced support to the US in the region so it's also because of that. It's just dirty geopolitics. The US is trying to tie in Australia before they realize that it's not worth massive expense to defend their trade routes from China. When those trades routes are... With China.
  - dirtyid 5y ago
    Pretty much. US and French MIC has always been filthy competitive. UK needs the $$$ after Brexit. AU both willing and IMO unable to object. It's just a very sensible geopolitical arrangement once the interest calculus is crunched. AU was always going to concede to US orbit. Getting US Nuke tech transfer is a big deal, consolation prize for $$$ from PRC that AU lost to US. Assuming the procurement goes through fine, which I doubt. As I mentioned in other post, IMO it's foot in door for other US assets that can be reoriented short term than SSNs that may or may not show up for 30+ years.

>always about money Usually the messier politics behind the scenes, in this case there was little notification, embarrassed French Pacific ambitions (France has substantial territory/EEZ holdings next to Australia), and a few months before the French election. Also diplomatically a dick move for transatlantic relationship, EU just announced their Indo-Pacific strategy. Last time in 1995 also had AU messing with French embassy diplomatic bags, delaying French ships at AU ports and other shenanigans. Recalls don't happen that often, especially between "friendly" countries. It's pretty wierd it happened twice between France and Australia. Arguably French deserved it, but Australia also seems to have gone full bogan. US / France has their own drama, especially in MIC competition, i.e. US label France of conducting industrial espionage on par with China, meanwhile US poached lucrative contracts from France before. So both money and political influence.

sudosysgen 5y ago
US industrial espionage on the level of China and France (using Echelon and the rest of the NSA) was uncovered in the Snowden leaks. It's also about the US trying to force Australia to commit to an anti-China policy while the conservative government is in power. Australia announced support to the US in the region so it's also because of that. It's just dirty geopolitics. The US is trying to tie in Australia before they realize that it's not worth massive expense to defend their trade routes from China. When those trades routes are... With China.
- dirtyid 5y ago
  Pretty much. US and French MIC has always been filthy competitive. UK needs the $$$ after Brexit. AU both willing and IMO unable to object. It's just a very sensible geopolitical arrangement once the interest calculus is crunched. AU was always going to concede to US orbit. Getting US Nuke tech transfer is a big deal, consolation prize for $$$ from PRC that AU lost to US. Assuming the procurement goes through fine, which I doubt. As I mentioned in other post, IMO it's foot in door for other US assets that can be reoriented short term than SSNs that may or may not show up for 30+ years.