Defending Democracy with Malcolm Turnbull Episode 5: Does Australia need to scale up and join up to survive?
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Apr 2, 2025 Join Gareth Evans, a former Cabinet Minister and foreign policy legend, alongside Shiro Armstrong, an expert in international trade, Alan Dupont, a security strategist, and diplomat John McCarthy. They tackle Australia's foreign policy amidst a shifting global landscape, emphasizing self-reliance and trade diversification. The discussion highlights the importance of reassessing alliances, navigating geopolitical tensions with the U.S. and China, and enhancing Australia's defense capabilities while fostering regional engagements. These insights offer a roadmap for Australia’s strategic future.
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Guiding Principles for National Interest
- Pursue national interests by focusing on less America, more self-reliance, more Asia, and more global engagement.
- Double down on these principles, especially with Trump back in office.
The Importance of Being a Decent Country
- National interest includes security, prosperity, and being a good international citizen.
- Behaving decently generates reputational returns, attracting admiration, trust, and investment (soft power).
Rethinking ANZUS and AUKUS
- The ANZUS alliance is not a guarantee of US defense, despite providing support.
- AUKUS increases Australia's vulnerability by creating more targets for potential adversaries.