In this episode of New Politics, we question whether Australia should continue aligning itself with an increasingly unpredictable United States. We explore the latest developments at the United Nations, where the US voted against a resolution calling for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, all while negotiating deals with Russia for access to rare minerals in contested Ukrainian territory.
This sudden shift in American foreign policy – after years of condemning Russia for aggression and war crimes – has upended global alliances and forced Australia to reconsider its security ties, especially given the uncertainties around ANZUS and recent US actions, such as the imposition of a 25 per cent tariff on Australian steel and aluminium imports.
We also look at the domestic repercussions of the AUKUS arrangement, including how little the public knows about its actual cost, and the troubling precedent of Australia paying billions in cancelled deals, as happened with the French submarine contract. With fears about China often overhyped by local media, we examine whether Australia’s best interests might lie in forging more stable partnerships within its own region and stepping away from a US that is exhibiting increasingly fascist and criminal tendencies. Perhaps it’s always been like this?
There’s been a shift in the global wave of right-wing populism, and we look at the resurgence of figures like Donald Trump and Javier Milei in Argentina – complete with bizarre publicity stunts alongside Elon Musk – and the success of far-right parties in Europe, such as Alternative for Germany. What can progressive parties do to stop this wave of right-wing extremism, which has nothing to offer except for chaos and incompetence?
In local politics, we scrutinise Peter Dutton’s record, including his property holdings and past share dealings, and discuss whether Labor might use these revelations in the upcoming federal election. We consider the possibility of Medicare becoming a central campaign issue, with the government announcing significant funding boosts and the Coalition matching these figures almost immediately. We also weigh up the risks of centrist parties remaining too cautious and failing to present bold reforms, leaving the door open for reactionary leaders promising dramatic change – even at the risk of destabilising the political and economic landscape.
We also examine the upcoming Western Australia election, where Labor’s anticipated victory could influence Anthony Albanese’s timing for a federal poll.
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Song listing:
- ‘Good Stuff’, The B-52s.
- ‘Let Me Entertain You’, Robbie Williams.
- ‘Dātura’, Tori Amos.
- ‘The Hard Road’, Hilltop Hoods.
- ‘Humiliation’, The National.
Music interludes:
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The post Time out for the US alliance? appeared first on New Politics.