We discuss the emerging new alliance called AUKUS between the United States, the UK, and Australia. Its first actions include selling Australia new missiles and helping the country build nuclear-powered submarines. These are not typical of an alliance, but more of a “level up” for the Australian military. So what is its goal? Though it didn’t mention China, experts and reports have guessed it is to counter the aggression by the Chinese Communist Party in the Indo-Pacific—including using tariffs in a recent trade war with Australia, continuing South China Sea maritime actions, and increasing pressure to conquer Taiwan. These are a few key reasons that allied the three countries, but they have also long been historical allies dating back to the major world wars. The United States, Australia, and the UK will build the backbone of a new front against the growing China threat.
I have two special guests: Alexander Gray, senior fellow in National Security Affairs, and previously deputy assistant to the president and chief of staff in the National Security Council under President Donald Trump; and Richard Bitzinger, an independent international security analyst and defense researcher. They take us into the details and the greater political aspects AUKUS provides.
Join us for this part 1 episode—what AUKUS means to the United States and world, and Australia’s importance in it.