Forget independence, or even capable partner with shared interests, AUKUS positions Australia as a manipulated middle power patsy in a regional and global contest.
Indeed. Good read. I can feel your frustration. One deep structural behaviour South Korea has on its side that Australia lacks: South Korea has spent 80 years under duress building capability; Australia has ignored capability in favour of inherited wealth.
100%. I actually wrote about this in an academic paper “Australia, Korea and the entangled language of common strategic interests” detailing how the pundits suggesting shared interests and circumstances made the Australia and Korea ideal partners. Fact is, they use the same words “alliance”, “security”, “middle power” but actually bring fundamentally different meanings to each word.
I would love to see more engagement between Australia and Korea—not least buying KSS-II boats replacing Collins (would likely be cheaper than continuing to run Collins). Have a draft; was sideswiped by the Virginia announcement; will redraft.
Yeah, I’ve always thought going with a shipbuilder with a record of solid production and willingness to establish facilities in Australia would’ve been much smarter. Look forward to reading your piece!
Indeed. Good read. I can feel your frustration. One deep structural behaviour South Korea has on its side that Australia lacks: South Korea has spent 80 years under duress building capability; Australia has ignored capability in favour of inherited wealth.
100%. I actually wrote about this in an academic paper “Australia, Korea and the entangled language of common strategic interests” detailing how the pundits suggesting shared interests and circumstances made the Australia and Korea ideal partners. Fact is, they use the same words “alliance”, “security”, “middle power” but actually bring fundamentally different meanings to each word.
I would love to see more engagement between Australia and Korea—not least buying KSS-II boats replacing Collins (would likely be cheaper than continuing to run Collins). Have a draft; was sideswiped by the Virginia announcement; will redraft.
Yeah, I’ve always thought going with a shipbuilder with a record of solid production and willingness to establish facilities in Australia would’ve been much smarter. Look forward to reading your piece!