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Full Story Newsroom edition: the risks for Australia in backing US military action
Jun 26, 2025
Lenore Taylor, Editor of Guardian Australia, delves into the complexities of Australia's foreign policy regarding U.S. military actions. She discusses the legality of recent strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and the Australian government's hesitant stance on military intervention. The conversation highlights Australia's ties with the U.S., raising questions about national sovereignty and regional safety. Taylor emphasizes the media's role in shaping public perception of these issues and calls for transparency in defense policy.
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Australia's Hesitant Endorsement
- The Australian government's initial hesitancy in endorsing US strikes on Iran reflected uncertainty about the full scope and legal basis of the attacks.
- Eventually, Australia tacitly endorsed the strikes, balancing diplomatic caution with alliance loyalty to the US.
Legal Ambiguity of Strikes
- International law questions arose because the US strikes were preemptive and lacked clear legal justification under the UN Charter.
- The Australian government dodged straightforward answers about legality, revealing ambiguity about the strikes' legitimacy.
Concerns Over Executive Military Power
- The limits of executive power in military actions remain unclear, with Trump acting without Congress's approval.
- In Australia, decisions about joining conflicts also rest mainly with the prime minister, not Parliament, raising democratic concerns.