Beijing Aggression Has Turned Australia Into Crucial Pillar of US Defense: Expert

Contact Your Elected Officials
The Epoch Times Header

Middle powers stepping up to maintain the peace in the Pacific

The emergence of a more authoritarian and militarizing Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has transformed Australia into a crucial componentย of U.S. defense if it plans to maintain its influence over the Pacific.

John Blaxland, professor of international security and intelligence studies at the Australian National University, told The Epoch Times that middle powers are stepping up as the United States wrestles with its position in the international community.

โ€œGeo-strategically, and as a backup to the United States, Australiaโ€™s become more significant than ever for Americaโ€™s plans and contingencies,โ€ย the former head of the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre said. โ€œAndย thatโ€™s, I think, in part because of the rise of China. The emergence of a more authoritarian and powerful, increasingly militarised state that is much more prepared to throw its weight around than we had previously anticipated.โ€

As a counter to Chinaโ€™s increasingly belligerent behaviour, Blaxland noted that it wasnโ€™t just Australia, but also Japan and South Korea that have stepped forward in the Asia-Pacific to help maintain the security environment.

โ€œMy sense is that the QUAD has become more and more important, particularly the role of Japan and Australia in contributing to helping the United States maintain its resolve and assuring the U.S. of being a welcome security partner in this part of the Indo-Pacific,โ€ he said.

Likewise, Chinaโ€™s assertiveness has also driven a more focused multilateral response from Australia, according to Blaxland.

โ€œWhen initially touted in 2007, the Quad was quite easily derailed by Chinese protestation. Australia gave priority to allaying their fears and showing due deference [under former Labor Prime Minister Kevin Rudd],โ€ he said. โ€œBut the reinvigoration of the Quad in recent times would not have been possible without Chinaโ€™s assertiveness, particularly under President Xi. The member states now see their interests more closely aligned.โ€

Blaxland also noted that interoperability between the United States, Australia, Japan, and Korea has been increasing over the past 20 years, allowing Australia to be able to โ€œplug and playโ€ as part of a U.S.-led coalition in the region.

โ€˜Cut Australia from the Herdโ€™

Australiaโ€™s support for the United States has made it a target of the CCP however, firstly via soft power and more recently through economic coercion.

Byย Victoria Kelly-Clark

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Democrats Are In Disastrous Shape As Midterms Loom

According to CNN's Harry Enten, โ€œThe Democratic brand is in the basement. It is total and complete garbage in the mind of the American public.โ€

A Primer on Conservatism

Conservatism is based on the maintenance and preservation of economic and governmental liberty of the individual citizen to choose what is best for their interests.

Woke Verses Folk Marketing Mayhem

For purposes of this article woke is about 10% of our population while folk is defined as the remaining 90% of our population.ย 

Late nightโ€™s Javan Rhino ย 

Once upon a time in America, late-night television talk shows were nightly viewing for many following their local news.

MyPillowโ€™s CEO Mike Lindell Wins 2 Court Cases

A federal court tossed the $5M ruling against Mike Lindell, saying arbitrators rewrote the rules of his 2021 Cyber Symposium challenge.

Trump Orders Nuclear Submarines Moved After Former Russian Presidentโ€™s Comments

Trump confirmed he ordered two Nuclear Submarines to be positioned in appropriate regions, in case Putin's inflammatory statements are more than just that.

American Eagle Responds to Critics Over Ad With Sydney Sweeney

In a statement posted on American Eagleโ€™s Instagram account on Friday, the retailer said the ad campaign โ€œis and always was about the jeans.

What to Know About 7-OH, the Synthetic Opioid Derived From Kratom Facing an FDA Ban

Synthetic opioid derived from the kratom plant sold in gummies, tablets, and drink mixes is to be restricted due to concerns it has serious potential for abuse.

Wall Street Review: Stocks Sell Off Amid Confusion Over Economic Data and Fed Policy

After all-time highs for a couple of weeks, U.S. equities retreated on profit-taking and confusion over direction of U.S. economy and monetary policy.

Tariff Rates โ€˜Pretty Much Set,โ€™ Says US Trade Representative

President Trumpโ€™s trade representative, Jamieson Greer, said that Americans should expect the administrationโ€™s tariff levels to remain where they are.

White House Officials Say Trump Had โ€˜Real Concernsโ€™ With Top Labor Official Before Firing Her

White House officials said it was necessary to fire former Bureau of Labor Statistics head Erika McEntarfer following release of lower-than-expected jobs report.

Trump Admin Cancels $26 Million Funding for Baltimore-DC Maglev Train Project

The FRA will cancel two grants worth more than $26 million for the Baltimore-Washington Superconducting Magnetic Levitation (SCMAGLEV) project.

Senate Confirms Former Fox News Host Jeanine Pirro as US Attorney for DC

The U.S. Senate confirmed former Fox News host and political commentator Jeanine Pirro to serve as the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia.
spot_img

Related Articles