The Grumpy Strategists Albanese meets Trump: champagne all round - but a harder meeting would've been better for Australian security & the alliance
13 snips
Oct 24, 2025 The hosts dive into the recent Albanese-Trump meeting, applauding its stage management while questioning its impact on Australian defense strategy. They dissect the critical minerals deal, revealing concerns about its real effectiveness against dependence on China. Discussions on AUKUS highlight missed opportunities to press for a robust strategy. Uncertainty lingers over US submarine commitments, and the recent defense treaty with PNG raises questions about its true capacity. Finally, they explore recruitment challenges and budget pressures impacting Australia's defense capabilities.
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Polished Optics, Limited Substance
- The Albanese–Trump meeting was impeccably stage-managed but changed little in substance.
- It delivered optics (critical minerals deal, AUKUS endorsement) while avoiding hard defence spending questions.
Critical Minerals Deal Is Largely Aspirational
- The critical minerals framework is largely aspirational with limited near-term funding.
- Without major subsidies or guaranteed revenue, Western supply efforts will likely struggle versus China.
Trump's View Undermines Collective Deterrence
- Trump treated AUKUS commitments casually and framed US power as a unilateral deterrent.
- That worldview undermines the collective allied strategy AUKUS depends on.