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> As an Aussie observer, I'm seeing more US influence in our region. Not an expert, but my guess is that there is (probably valid) concern about China. "The e

by timmg 2y ago

> As an Aussie observer, I'm seeing more US influence in our region. Not an expert, but my guess is that there is (probably valid) concern about China. "The enemy of my enemy is my friend" and all that.

zerkten 2y ago
China is a concern for Australia whether the US is in the picture or not. Australia's interests are highly aligned with those of the US. The increased engagement from the US is being welcomed by most Australians, but the issue is really around the implementation. AUKUS is one of these huge deals with the results coming many years after huge investments creating great uncertainty. That makes it easy to attack politically. EDIT: What's missed by the original commenter is that Australia was already investing in submarines from France. If delivered, there would be similar outcomes. The project had just as much uncertainty around it and was off-track when AUKUS was announced.
- stephen_g 2y ago
  The political class, yes, welcome the engagement. But not most Australians!
  - evgen 2y ago
    A claim that is categorically untrue and easily disproven. It takes less than ten seconds to google up multiple surveys that show the opinions of the Australian public. The most recent broad survey was conducted less than a month ago, but before Biden dropped out when it appeared Trump was likely to win the upcoming presidential election (relevant fact because the question was asked and answered regarding whether another Trump presidency would diminish support for the US.) Several key take-aways from this survey show: - 80%+ said close ties with the US was important to AU security - 70%+ named China as a security threat to AU - 55%+ stated confidence in the US acting responsibly in the world There are other similar points if interest in the survey but the facts are quite clear that Australians do welcome more engagement with the US and see it is a counter to Chinese threats in the region.
    - BLKNSLVR 2y ago
      You're correct, of course. But that's the majority of dumb Australians, much like the majority of dumb Americans. Our two sets of dumbs have a lot of similarity. Australia's identity has been lost in the last thirty years up it's own anus of mineral riches and the feeling of lifestyle entitlement that came with it. The USs 51st state. Yeehaaw...
arandomusername 2y ago
China is Australia's biggest trading partner. Only US tries to paint China as a threat to Australia so they can get more influence in there.
- xdennis 2y ago
  The US and Australia are part of the five eyes. They have a very strong connection and a similar culture. It is China who is trying to assert more influence around the world, including the US (e.g. Midjourney doesn't allow criticism of Xi Jinping).

by timmg 2y ago

zerkten 2y ago

China is a concern for Australia whether the US is in the picture or not. Australia's interests are highly aligned with those of the US. The increased engagement from the US is being welcomed by most Australians, but the issue is really around the implementation. AUKUS is one of these huge deals with the results coming many years after huge investments creating great uncertainty. That makes it easy to attack politically. EDIT: What's missed by the original commenter is that Australia was already investing in submarines from France. If delivered, there would be similar outcomes. The project had just as much uncertainty around it and was off-track when AUKUS was announced.

stephen_g 2y ago
The political class, yes, welcome the engagement. But not most Australians!
- evgen 2y ago
  A claim that is categorically untrue and easily disproven. It takes less than ten seconds to google up multiple surveys that show the opinions of the Australian public. The most recent broad survey was conducted less than a month ago, but before Biden dropped out when it appeared Trump was likely to win the upcoming presidential election (relevant fact because the question was asked and answered regarding whether another Trump presidency would diminish support for the US.) Several key take-aways from this survey show: - 80%+ said close ties with the US was important to AU security - 70%+ named China as a security threat to AU - 55%+ stated confidence in the US acting responsibly in the world There are other similar points if interest in the survey but the facts are quite clear that Australians do welcome more engagement with the US and see it is a counter to Chinese threats in the region.
  - BLKNSLVR 2y ago
    You're correct, of course. But that's the majority of dumb Australians, much like the majority of dumb Americans. Our two sets of dumbs have a lot of similarity. Australia's identity has been lost in the last thirty years up it's own anus of mineral riches and the feeling of lifestyle entitlement that came with it. The USs 51st state. Yeehaaw...

arandomusername 2y ago

China is Australia's biggest trading partner. Only US tries to paint China as a threat to Australia so they can get more influence in there.

xdennis 2y ago
The US and Australia are part of the five eyes. They have a very strong connection and a similar culture. It is China who is trying to assert more influence around the world, including the US (e.g. Midjourney doesn't allow criticism of Xi Jinping).