[jimtorr]

I’m guessing that Rudd thinks that Australia might not be able to depend on the U.S. in the near future. A combination of a doofus, at best, for a president and national poverty.

[GeronL]

Lets not fail to mention that the US cannot be called reliable anymore

[CanaGuy]

“The Guns of April”

[Dallas59]

I don’t blame them. The United States is not a reliable allie any longer.....or at least the ruling Caesar is not.

[Vanders9]

Things are hotting up in the Pacific. The “sea dragon” is rising, the russians are in resurgence, Taiwan is still threatened, Japan is beginning to assert herself, India is a growing power - no wonder the Aussies are worried.

[Canedawg]

Lets not fail to mention that the US cannot be called reliable anymore

We are no longer the leader of The Free World.

[2harddrive]

Woner if North Korea’s nukes have anything to do with this buildup?

[manc]

this is exactly the right thing to do

if the country was next to us I’d be moving there in a shot

[JasonC]

Australia doubling its defense spending, while welcome and responsible on its part, won't make the slightest difference in the grand scheme of things in Asian security matters. It is simply too small a base to matter. Does it help at the margin, sure, will it stop any major event or change its course materially, no.

[Antoninus]

This is what happens when the rest of the world realizes that their big brother who protected them all these years has now got a crack habit and is living on the street.