BLUF
The Pacific islands are crucial for US and Australian defence and are likely to be crucial in defending Taiwan—Australia therefore needs a permanent presence in the Pacific Island region.Summary
Anthony Bergin and Grant Newsham writing in the Strategist make the following points:
- WW2 demonstrated how important the Pacific was to Australia's defence.
- Australia should consider allowing Pacific Islanders to join the ADF.
- It should also consider standing up a Pacific Island regiment.
- Such a regiment—mentored and supported and supplied by Australia—would have an effectve military capablity that as well as being used in defence might also have a role in disaster relief throughout the region.
References
Recent Runway Posts related to this topic:
- Holding New Guinea: A First Defeat For Japan’s Land Forces | The Runway (airforce.gov.au)
- Pacific Islands backed a partnership with the US, but China unlikely to be deterred in push for influence | The Runway (airforce.gov.au)
References from the Web:
- AUG 2022 US and Fiji Seal Agreement on Defence and Security- the Fijian Government
- SEP 2022 China strategy in Pacific islands a cause for US concern: Report-Aljazeera
Source Information:
- Article Source: The Strategist | ASPI's analysis and commentary site (aspistrategist.org.au)
- Media Check: ABC News -Media Bias/Fact Check (mediabiasfactcheck.com)
- RAAF RUNWAY: RATIONALE, GUIDELINES, LEARNING OUTCOMES, ETC | The Runway (airforce.gov.au)
RAAF RUNWAY: RATIONALE, GUIDELINES, LEARNING OUTCOMES, ETC |
