Defence Chief to US Ambassador: AUKUS and the Endless War State
📰 THE STORY: Greg Moriarty, current head of Australia's Department of Defence and former chief of staff to Malcolm Turnbull, has been appointed to succeed Kevin Rudd as Australia's ambassador to the United States, effective April. The Guardian, and others, report this as a routine bureaucratic transition and point to the ongoing progression of the AUKUS agreement under the Trump administration as
a key part of his mandate. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context: This isn't just a personnel change; it's a strategic deepening of Australia's military-industrial complex and its subordination to US foreign policy. The AUKUS deal, signed in 2021, commits Australia to acquiring nuclear-powered submarines – a move that effectively makes Australia a forward operating base for US
influence in the Indo-Pacific. This follows decades of Australia's participation in US-led conflicts, from the Vietnam War (1962-1972) to the invasions of Afghanistan (2001) and Iraq (2003), often at great human cost and with dubious strategic benefits for Australia itself. The appointment of a Defence chief underscores that Australia's US relationship is now primarily a military one, not a
diplomatic or economic partnership of equals. Double Standard: Imagine if Russia or China appointed their defence chief as ambassador to a key strategic partner. Western media would decry it as 'militarization of diplomacy,' 'aggressive posturing,' and a clear sign of 'imperial ambition.' Yet, when the US or its allies do it, it's simply 'representing national interests' and 'progressing important