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2005-12-03 Home Front: WoT

The Big Four Alliance: The New Bush Strategy

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Posted by john 2005-12-03 15:13|| || Front Page|| [3 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 don't forget the Australians!

Posted by 2b 2005-12-03 17:06|| 2005-12-03 17:06|| Front Page Top

#2 You beat me to it, 2b.

Posted by BH 2005-12-03 17:08|| 2005-12-03 17:08|| Front Page Top

#3 Temperamentally and culturally, the US is closer to Australia than any other country, and we should develop close relations at all levels. But with only 20 million people, Australia won't the the fifth member of a Big Five.

Posted by ed 2005-12-03 17:17|| 2005-12-03 17:17|| Front Page Top

#4 Australia won't be the fifth member of a Big Five.

Posted by ed 2005-12-03 17:19|| 2005-12-03 17:19|| Front Page Top

#5 population does not equal strength. Diego Garcia could very well be a member.... :-)

Aussies have earned the same special relationship that brits have. We need to include Howard in all the planning and ops - they have better location when it comes to the SE Asia portion, and as a pincer on China

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2005-12-03 17:48|| 2005-12-03 17:48|| Front Page Top

#6 It's called the Anglosphere.

Posted by Elmomosh Spenter5561 2005-12-03 18:12|| 2005-12-03 18:12|| Front Page Top

#7 Frank,
I like Australians and they have a top notch military for its size. But the Australian miliary is only 50,000 troops and their reserves are small. They already spend more GDP than any NATO (except US) so their size or capability won't increase soon.

While Australian special forces and light infantry is very good and welcome in Afghanistan, the Australian military is not set up for power projection. They have their hands full keeping the Indonesians at bay. In a South Asian crisis, the US will have to pour troops into Australia to make sure nothing bad happens to a friend. If the ball ever goes up with China (e.g. Taiwan), I expect the Australians will stay neutral, positive if Labour is in power.

Posted by ed 2005-12-03 18:37|| 2005-12-03 18:37|| Front Page Top

#8 PS. They already spend more GDP than any NATO (except US) is not strictly true, Turkey spends more than any NATO member. But I have bad vibes about Turkey as the Ataturk secularists withdraw and Turkey moves to an islamic republic.

Posted by ed 2005-12-03 18:42|| 2005-12-03 18:42|| Front Page Top

#9 Well, maybe we could give Australia statehood, but only as a blue state until it permits basic freedoms like legalizing guns.

Posted by Anonymoose 2005-12-03 18:48|| 2005-12-03 18:48|| Front Page Top

#10 Ed - I was only speculating on basing, logistic resorces, etc. The Aussies fight above thir weight, but not that high

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2005-12-03 18:57|| 2005-12-03 18:57|| Front Page Top

#11 A strategic partner does not have to have the power projection capability. Japan can't get out of the box either. The Ausies have world class SF troops, and their strategic location is critical to power projection in the world. They are our only true friend in the region, the Phils are cowards and ran in Iraq, and will be there when the world needs them. they have more to offer than Japan and should always be one of our top allies.

Posted by 49 pan">49 pan 2005-12-03 21:23|| 2005-12-03 21:23|| Front Page Top

23:19 Redneck Jim
23:00 mac
22:49 mac
22:42 Malikrik
22:31 Warner
22:27 2b
21:53 Rafael
21:44 Rafael
21:40 john
21:34 49 pan
21:24 Warner
21:23 49 pan
21:17 Gloger Clinens8435
21:10 Malikrik
20:50 Rafael
20:48 Valentine
20:47 Bobby
20:41 Pappy
20:39 Red Dog
20:35 Bomb-a-rama
20:31 Bomb-a-rama
20:21 Bomb-a-rama
20:21 Barbara Skolaut
20:11 Captain America