Since World War II, U.S. military dominance has underpinned the Asia-Pacific region’s prosperity and relative peace. So it’s cause for concern when one of America’s closest allies sees that power ebbing amid unstable nuclear regimes such as Pakistan and North Korea and the expanding military power of China.
In the preface to a sweeping defense review released Saturday, Australian Defense Minister Joel Fitzgibbon writes: “The biggest changes to our outlook . . . have been the rise of China, the emergence of India and the beginning of the end of the so-called unipolar moment; the almost two-decade-long period in which the pre-eminence of our principal ally, the United States, was without question…”
(Without) sustained U.S. defense spending and focus on the Asia-Pacific, it’s unclear which nation will ultimately dominate the region — and that could have profound effects on security and trade. The clearest challenge comes from China, which the Pentagon estimates spent $105 billion to $150 billion in 2008 bulking up its forces. Australia also worries about instability among its Pacific island neighbors, terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and emerging threats like cyber war.
52% of the president’s $17 billion budget cuts came from a defense budget that represents 21% of gross federal outlays. So I’d say that Australia is simply doing the number and reckoning the consequences. Like everyone else will do in the Pacific Rim.
All of which leaves one burning question in the mind of naval strategists everywhere: Can we still visit Perth?
If the government isn’t willing to spend dollars directly on security in Asia/Pacific, we should all do our part as patriots and spend what little money we earn in places of great strategic significance…like Perth. Sacrifice and all the rest.
All of the “pundits’ have been hammering on the same theme/meme about the inability of the GOP to find it’s voice and find a topic/controversy to rally around and challenge Obama over. Emerging candidates are the Gitmo problem and the Pelosi CIA memos, but these are transitory in nature, really, and while capable of doing harm to the Democratic cause, are neither enduring nor expose problems that pose a mortal threat to the ship of state. The gutting of the defense budget, however, is another matter. And I am at a loss as to why the GOP has been so slow to publicly attack the Obama administration on this matter. Mistakes in this area can be fatal. Build the wrong wpns sys–or canx the right one–or any combination thereof can cost not only losses in lives and battles, but wars and national identity.
And I remain unfazed by charges of waste, corruption and mis-management. Government IS ABOUT WASTE–at all levels and in all areas. It will, like the world’s oldest profession, be always with us. The fact that such conditions exist is no reason to cancel vital programs. The C-5A program was roundly attacked–books were written about it (“The C-5A Scandal,” 1971) –as wasteful, corrupt and the aircraft as full of design flaws. Most of the problems spotlighted were eventually fixed and the aircraft became a vital part of the inventory. Would it have been better to have deep-sixed it and the US done without it’s capabilities at the first sign of problems? We are currently spending on the defense budget–as a % of GDP–less than pre-Pearl Harbor
funding levels. Obama is attempting to “balance” the budget on the backs of the DoD at the very time the PRC and Russian defense spending is soaring–not to mention increased growing threats from Iran, Korea, Venezuela, etc., And to say that our defense budget outlays exceed China and Russia’s combined means nothing in terms of capabilities. A large portion of their defense budgets are hidden and their manpower is had on the cheap as a poorly paid conscript force that we cannot duplicate. The GOP has a ready-made issue here. Why the deafening silence?
Many openings available in Subs and RAAF…..
Hell the RAAF is like a colonial reunion, and if you’re subs you’re based in Perth. There was even a guy from Kentucky floating around (no pun intended).
Q: “Can we still visit Perth?”
A: Sure. Via an excellent Sydney stopover!
Spaz/
Remember the story I told you about meeting a young “bird” in Sydney in ’68 who had hitched all the way from Perth by herself? Much has changed about the nature of Australia (and the world) since those many moons ago. Would that little adventure by a single female be more dangerous these days–or less?
VX: Obviously the world has changed in the last 40 odd years. No body attempts such things today solo – except in a recent ‘supervised’ competition. Generally though Oz is still a safe destination for backpackers (in pairs) with common sense IMHO. Exceptions abound but overall Oz is a friendly joint (unlike TV series with same name). Oz is such a very large land that most understand travellers need help; with most willing to give that help.
Spaz, I’d be glad to visit Perth via Sydney. A trip across via train would suit me fine. Wouldn’t want to miss Ayers Rock or Alice Springs, or a long list of other places.
I may have the money to do it in about 5 years. Wanna be my guide?
Just one thing, I don’t do jail very well
Wish I would have visited Australia when I was spending some time in Okinawa, Guam and Taiwan.
SDI and nukes for Australia anyone?
Dear Compatriots
Why such a shock? Go ask a democrat you know anything about defense programs. All you get is the DIHS (deer in headlight stare). I would wager than well over 80% of the families that suffered loss in Iraq or Afgh would not register themselves as dyed in the wool dems. The only time they understand the consequences is when the manufacturer they work for, who just happens to make fuel pumps for ah, whazzit thing, oh yeah, the Raptor – goes out of business or lays off workers due to program termination. A family relative – UNC grad, masters, major newspaper editor, could not tell you the first thing about the Iraq war except “Bush lied” and Abu Gharib. Their focus is on THEM, the ME First generation. We no longer get many (I’ll admit to anecdotal evidence on this) military officers from such fine institutions as Yale, Harvard, Brown, UConn, UMass, Vermont, Penn, etc. This family relative just to call me the family’s mercenary – that their taxes paid my salary. Just clueless she is. Oh, and now on full disability and bitching about her income. I now refer to her as the family’s grown infant – completely unable to do the first thing for herself except vote straight dem ticket in the booth.
Like VX, I am astounded at the lack of a cohesive GOP strategy. No communication except by LETTER from the GOP have I had – and only to ask for money. No LinkedIn, no Twitter, no daily GOP Yellow bird. And we wonder “why”.
Oz is SO joined at the hip with our defense industry they oughta petition to become the 51st state! There are several Aussie flyers on shore duty where I work..Which reminds me- I covet that bush hat that’s part of their uniform..Sooner or later I’m gonna nab one for fishing up in MT! We have a lot of allied flyers here. Just last Friday I saw a French officer and his family at the commissary pushing a cart- they didn’t look too happy…. On the other hand I saw a bunch of Aussie ones over at the meat counter buying big steaks. More American than they think!
Yep. I’d take OZ for the 51st before DC, even though they have that speech impediment.
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B2-
It’s a slouch hat, and you can buy one, though I’m suprised you see RAN types wearing them.
51st state, no thanks. Funny enough you bring up exchange officers though, IIRC one of the current F-22 instructor pilots is RAAF, SQNLDR I believe. Somewhat belies the argument of those outside RAAF pushing for F-22 aquisition on the grounds CAF etc don’t know what they’re missing etc doesn’t it (not looking at any one organisation in particular).
Well said, Sim!
Those dim blowhards really have become more than tiresome with their ignorant rants and raves apropos F-22s and F-35s.
Bah humbug!
Couldn’t agree more Indy.
b2: The ANZUS treaty was the ‘join at hip operation’. NZeders have to tag along as well. Making them the 51st and a quarter state times two (Norf and Souf Islands)?
http://www.pacaf.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123143630
F-22 exchange pilot helps strengthen U.S., Australian ties
There are no F-22 Aussie folks within 70 miles of me. All P-3/8 , legacy/SuperHornet and admiring F-35 pilots on exchange along with some cat/dog types at TPS. Some of ‘em wear them hats I’ll tell ya. They wear a blue suit w/shoulder boards sorta Airforce-ish like. Humorous blokes all.
SpasZ- only the south island where the best trout fishing is!
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Kiwi (unslouched) trout fishing hat, courtesy of RNZAF: http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l261/SpazSinbad/KiwiSlouchRNZAF.jpg
Oz does have trout fishing in colder parts (Vic & Tassie mostly with Southern Alps in NSW – haha – they are HIGH mountains)