Global Roaming with Geraldine Doogue and Hamish Macdonald AUKUS Investigated 05: Radioactive ripples
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Dec 20, 2024 Gareth Evans, former Australian Foreign Minister, and Maria Rost Rublee, an expert in international security and nuclear politics, dive into the AUKUS alliance's implications. They discuss Australia’s first acquisition of conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines and the regional anxieties this generates. The conversation highlights the contentious nuclear waste management challenges and the importance of community engagement. They also examine how Southeast Asian nations perceive AUKUS, reflecting on Australia's balancing act amidst U.S.-China tensions.
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Sovereign Agency Risk
- Gareth Evans believes AUKUS risks Australia's sovereign agency.
- He argues the US will expect control over the submarines in a conflict, limiting Australia's autonomy.
Gulf War Experience
- Evans recounts his experience in the first Gulf War.
- He highlights how Australia, as a junior partner, lacked control over its deployed assets.
Defense Capability Considerations
- Evans acknowledges the need to build defense capabilities based on adversaries' potential, not just intent.
- He questions AUKUS submarines' cost-benefit, deliverability, and limited operational availability.