https://econ.st/2Zj8pal Just occasionally, you can see the tectonic plates of geopolitics shifting in front of your eyes. Suez in 1956, Nixon going to China in 1972 and the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989 are among the examples in living memory. The unveiling last week of a trilateral defence pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States (introducing the awkward acronym of aukus) is providing another of those rare occasions. ... The powerful reverberations of aukus show what a profound shift it represents. For America it is the most dramatic move yet in its determination to counter what it sees as the growing threat from China, particularly the maritime challenge it poses in the Pacific. Not only is America sharing the crown jewels of military technology, the propulsion plant for nuclear submarines, with an ally for only the second time in 63 years (the other time being with Britain). It is also robustly signalling its long-term commitment to what it calls a “free and open Indo-Pacific”.
If the Aussies and Kiwis are smart they'll lose their aversion to nukes and build an arsenal with the means to deliver them, while they've been steadfast allies to us it would be wise not to depend on the same.
Meanwhile we have ticked off France which had they believed a $66 Billion deal to build the nuclear subs for the Aussies ??
The Aussies went with the better product, that is not really our fault. Perhaps France should have better subs
Relations with Europe have been fraying for the last 20 years. This row with France over subs is just one more nail in the coffin.
I personally thought this was a great move. I haven’t and won’t criticize whoever made this decision. I know it wasn’t Biden so I would like to know who did. He or she deserves some credit.
Surely it should be Aus with whom they should be ticked? The reneged on the deal. But I have read that they will pay France the contract breaking fee - and now they have a sub they can sell to other interested parties - which would mean they made more on the deal. I have no time for petty squabbles.
