Australians Wary of US Meddling, Still Buying US Weapons
The Bloomberg piece highlights Australian unease with US foreign policy, noting a record high in defense spending—a figure often funneled directly back into US military industrial complex coffers via arms deals. This isn't newfound awareness; it's a cyclical awakening. Remember when Australia joined the US-led 'Coalition of the Willing' in Iraq, based on intelligence that later proved, shall we
say, 'aspirational'? (Many Australians certainly do.) Now, with AUKUS, the US is pushing for nuclear submarine deals worth hundreds of billions, ensuring Australia's defense budget continues its upward, US-benefiting trajectory. So, Australians are wary of US interference, yet they're increasingly funding it. One might wonder if 'wary' translates to 'begrudgingly compliant' when the defense
contracts come calling. How many 'allies' must question their alliances before the puppeteers question their strings?