US ties nothing to sneeze at

The Australian ^ | 7th August 2014 | Greg Sheridan

[naturalman1975]

public overwhelmingly supports the alliance so there is no real problem. But the way we talk about it hasn’t changed in decades, although the context and much of the content have been transformed.

This does not make it less relevant to our security. Quite the reverse. Except for the darkest days of World War II, there is no time in our history when the US alliance has been more relevant, or helpful, to Australia’s national interests and security than today.

.....

With an air force, knowledge is power. We have unmatched over-the-horizon radar, AWAC tactical intelligence planes to guide our fighters, and all of this is integrated seamlessly into the vast US intelligence and watching capabilities. This means the Australian force is basically four or five times more effective than it would otherwise be.

.....

At the forthcoming AUSMIN meetings in Sydney, the two nations will finalise a status of forces agreement that will cover the rotational presence of marines in Darwin. Hopefully, in the long run, it will see the home-porting of a small number of US ships in Western Australia.

This is a case of Australia helping the US arrange and decentralise its forces in a way that is good for the US. But it is also immensely good for us because it gives tangible, operational life to the profound US commitment to Australian security, a commitment we fully reciprocate.

.....

This is a relationship that for Australian security is pure gold. Many nations of the region would love to have such a relationship with the US. Others might want it but know they could never secure it or sustain it politically. But absolutely every strategic hardhead in Asia knows this relationship is a vital asset for Australian security, an immense vector in itself of Australian national power.

[buwaya]

They need the big guy across the Pacific to back them up. They are worried about the Chinese.
Even the Australian Labor types have shut up about the US.
The Greens, though, are still too stupid to read the tea leaves.

[mylife]

I have always considered you Aussie types to be our brothers, at least until the bloody place went liberal and against the right to bear arms.

[mylife]

Would love to see the streets of your town...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XDmasbARtE

[Gay State Conservative]

Britain,Canada and Australia are surely our longest,and most valued,allies.It's common knowledge among those Americans (and Brits) who've been paying attention that Osama Obama has a deep...and probably life-long...contempt for Britain.However,I'm not sure if he has the same contempt for Canada or Oz.

One thing out allies are absolutely aware of is that the US is a nation in steep decline,a decline that's been greatly accelerated,and accelerated intentionally,by Osama Obama & Pals.

Our allies should fervently pray that neither the Former Twelfth Lady ("Hillary",to Aussies) nor Princess Liawatha (Elizabeth Warren) is sworn in in January 2017.If that happens our decline will remain unchecked for at least an additional 4 years.

[Gay State Conservative]

Would love to see the streets of your town...

I have mixed feelings about seeing this video.On a positive note it's a *great* song.I've never heard it or heard of the group.Presumably they're big...or were once big...Down Under.

On a less positive note...I think I'm in love with that woman in the video.The problem is she's probably young enough to be my daughter! ;-)

[mylife]

It is a lovely bitter sweet song.
And yes the gal is adorable.

[mylife]

Odd band, and not all that popular, still they hit a few things pretty well.

Bye Bye Pride