Employees of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute asked the authorities to increase defense spending. They fear the rapid growth of Asian countries, and even though Australia is now friendly with them, it is time to think about defense. What is happening in the world, if one of the most non-conflict countries in the Southern Hemisphereis preparing for war?
Not that long ago, Australian strategists announced the results of the studies of Asian region. Why would they care about Asia it would seem? The experts were afraid of the conclusions they made, and now suggest that the authorities reconsider the policy of financing the armed forces.
The intensive development of the Asian countries will inevitably lead to the emergence of geopolitical problem sin whose solution the Australian army will have to participate, analysts say. Rod Lyons, a senior researcher, is confident that the state should allocate to the army at least two percent of GDP - and this is assuming that the relations with Asian countries remain peaceful and neighborly. If the situation is heated, the amount of funding should be increased to 2.5 percent of GDP.
This is quite interesting. Australia,perhaps one of the most peaceful and non-conflict countriesin the Southern Hemisphere, is seriously recommended to raise the defense andthe strategic power of the state with reference to the political situation in the Asian region. As early as in 2013, the"White Book" will be signed - a response to the recommendation of the analysts that will subsequently be provided to the Australian defense department for review.
Where did this interest in Asia and the fear of it come from? After all, Washington sets the rules in the region. The United States began playing in the Asian field long time ago, each year increasing their presence - placed their bases, unleashed wars, exported minerals fornothing, including energy, and bought the mining industry facilities,.
But now, says Dr. RodLyon, the political environment in the region is changing, and the U.S. influenceis significantly weakening. Japan and China that have been quite active in the economic sphere for now are ready to replace the U.S. Many experts argue that the Chinese army has long retrained from the defensive to the national liberation army. It can very wellgo and free less-developed Asian countries from the"yoke of capitalism."
Australia seems to not care about it. On the contrary, it is interested in the economic growth of Asia because it will form the basis for thedevelopment of a stable political situation in the region. But analysts do not recommend it to take other people's achievements lightly.Australians have to think about their own safety in the first place and maintain a certain level of defense. Meanwhile, the state budget is moving in the opposite direction - towards reduction on defensespending (it now accounts for 1.56 percent of GDP).
Australia finds itself between two fires: the last several decades it has been actively strengthening ties with the U.S., and recently started close and mutually beneficial cooperation with China, including through law enforcement agencies. But one cannot have their cake and eat it. In May of this year, Australia announced its intention to strengthen and develop relations with China, but at thesame time it obviously is not going to part with the U.S. military located on its territory. Such a disposition, to put it mildly, is not welcomed by the Chinese who have already entered the world arena in the latent competition with the United States. Could Canberra get out of this situation by persuading the"sworn" friends to forget enmity for the sake of profit?
It will not be easy, because the two powers - the United States and China - areconsidering the economy to be a fuel tank of the political machine and at any time may do something unpredictable. So far Beijing, in contrast toWashington, does not fight on anyone'sterritory, and therefore is offering a "peaceful" deal to its Australian partners. But there is no guarantee that things will change very soon. Asia in general is a cat in a bag: a heterogeneous, problematic, politically and economically unstable, with a huge black market. The recent events in Kyrgyzstan are a vivid example of a surprise the Central Asian states are able to present to their allies.
Australia is the exact opposite. Unlike other states constantly shaken by wars - European and Asian countries - it has remained a sort of "oasis" and for the first time was under attack only in 1942-43. When Australia begins to think about improving its defense, it means things are not going well in the world. Analysts, of course, may be overly cautious and think ofjust emerging trends that require confirmation as a real threat. But whenthe threat does arise,it will be too late to allocate money for the army.

Are they going to up the GOP or not?

Asia is the biggest market for goods in the world looks like other countries are jealous of the progress of Asian countries :)

..which goes to show ...that even on an island ya can't get away from all the crazy **** that's going on in the world..and that the cast of Gilligan's Island didn't know what they had..

It is a darn big island.

You digs all those minerals from the Australian Ground and you sells them to China. Australians Prosper and China become a Powerhouse Economy and then the Australians start to get worried.

Funny old game Economics

Where did this crap come from?

lol. Surely being Australian you would know?

Oh well lets just all get together and blow up the entire freaking world and be done with it.


geeeeeze who cares...

such optimism JB

I don't think she really means it Invi...or maybe she does

Well, it's not news here. LOL

Then it is a conspiracy theory!!

I just get disgusted that the entire world is sinking into the darkness of fear, and war.

The Russians Have it covered .

In Pravda

Where have you been all your life?

I was once blind, but now I can see.

I used to think we fought for freedom and peace.

Now I know better.

The truth is a bitter pill.

It has been the same since the dawn of history.

On that we can agree.

But we are sinking faster and deeper towards the end game.