A powerful cabal of ex-military and former spies dominates the commentary and decision making on defence and strategy in Australia. They belong to the group that Paul Keating calls “the nutters”,who frame everything through the prism of subservience to the U.S.A.
From policy directions which involves encircling China with adventures far from Australia in the South China Sea, to weapon purchases that support these policies via the stranglehold of “inter-operability” we are chained to the lonely leg of this superpower.
Mendadue examines the work of ASPI (the Australian Strategic Policy Institute). He looks at the U.S. stooges that are part of its governance. Ex-military, ex-spies and long- time U.S. sycophants like Stephen Loosely all have a common thread of close work with the U.S. military- surveillance machine. Their spokesmen and women are given space in newspapers and are regularly interviewed on television and radio.
The question is do they speak for the Australian people?
How can they, when they receive funding from the mostly U.S. military- industrial complex and the Australian Defence Forces. Why are we spending billions on weaponry and presenting aggressive postures that merely matches the needs of U.S. imperialism. John Menadue provides some powerful answers.
