The sign off for AUKUS and the nuclear submarines took place on the 16th March. Various events will be held across Australia to mark this date. FYI ipan.org.au 

This critical decision firstly dreamed up by the Morrison government (or maybe just him!) but then so uncritically endorsed by the new ALP government.  There is an urgent need to reconsider the agreement before we waste money, international relations and increase the risk being involved in a major powers war.

https://www.australianforeignaffairs.com/essay/2024/02/dead-in-the-water

CURRENT ISSUE

AFA20 - February 2024Dead in the Water
The AUKUS Delusion
The latest issue of Australian Foreign Affairs examines Australia’s momentous decision to form a security pact with the United States and the United Kingdom that includes an ambitious, expensive and risky plan to acquire nuclear-power submarines – a move that will have far-reaching military and strategic consequences.

Dead in the Water looks at whether the AUKUS deal will enhance or undermine Australia’s security as tensions between China and the US rise, at the impact on Australia’s ties with its regional neighbours, and at whether the submarines plan is likely to ever be achieved.

Essays include: 

Hugh White examines whether Australia needs nuclear-powered submarines and whether the AUKUS plan will deliver them
Susannah Patton looks at the lessons for Australia from the region’s responses to AUKUS.
Elizabeth Buchanan explores how Australia could use its valuable geography to enhance ties with AUKUS allies and other partners.
Andrew Davies weighs the benefits of nuclear-powered submarines against the costs of acquiring and maintaining them.
Hervé Lemahieu proposes that Australia pursue a common travel area and an integrated digital market with the Pacific.
Jack Corbett considers Solomon Islands’ economic options in an era of great power rivalry

PLUS Paul Monk on Australia’s military posture, correspondence on AFA19: The New Domino Theory from Albert Zhang and Jieh-Yung Lo,
and more.