Australia's Strategy, or Why We Fight

[AnimalMother]

An interesting analysis of Australia's strategic needs and alliances from Stratfor.

[Neferti]

Australia is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, ranked in the top 10 in gross domestic product per capita. It is one of the most isolated major countries in the world; it occupies an entire united continent, is difficult to invade and rarely is threatened. Normally, we would not expect a relatively well-off and isolated country to have been involved in many wars. This has not been the case for Australia and, more interesting, it has persistently not been the case, even under a variety of governments. Ideology does not explain the phenomenon in this instance.

YAWN. He's a Yank. Writing a book. About Australia without being born here, going to school here, growing up here. Certain people on this Forum who were not born here are the same.

[AnimalMother]

He's writing from an outside perspective, which sometimes provides a fresh look.

Regardless of where he comes from, his ideas should be judged on their own merits. I think there's a lot of sense in what he says.

[Neferti]

He's writing from an outside perspective, which sometimes provides a fresh look.

Regardless of where he comes from, his ideas should be judged on their own merits. I think there's a lot of sense in what he says.

Great. AM. Now we have Yanks who have never even visited here telling us what sort of Life we Lead. Get fucking real!

[mantra]

We're the 51st state of the USA - we have to fight when they want us to. If we were independent of the US - it's hardly likely that we'd be instigating wars.

[AnimalMother]

I think you're missing the point, Neferti. Try actually reading the article.

[Neferti]

People who pontificate piss me off. That guy pissed me off in his first 20 words.

He had NO idea what it is like to be an Australian.

[Aussie]

People who pontificate piss me off. That guy pissed me off in his first 20 words.

He had NO idea what it is like to be an Australian.

Neferti, he was not pretending or suggesting he had any idea that he knew what it was like to be an Australian. He was, however, pontificating, and produced what I would describe as an amateurish High School essay on Australia's strategic position. He makes the remarkable revelation that, as we occupy an island, unless we are self sufficient so that we can isolate ourselves from the rest of the Planet needs wise, we are navally dependant on someone to keep our export/import logistical capacity safe and secure.

It is 'Einstein-like' material.

[Rorschach]

Ahhh... what do you mean by "Einstein-like" Aussie.

[AnimalMother]

It's a bit sad that nobody wants to talk about the vitally important issue of Australia's strategic security.

Well, worse than sad - more like terrifying.

But then, I have no children to worry about, and I could die any time. So the fate you stand to suffer from your own stupidity is not really a personal concern for me.

Still, I can't help being sad about the opportunities wasted.