Heard a fascinating interview with Prof. Jeffrey Sachs, the independent global analyst and economist, as he summarized the history of Europe and China over the past couple of millenia.
in short, nations originating in Europe such as the US have a long history of conflict and wars between neighbors. Is pretty much encoded in DNA by now.
in contrast, China has long periods of peaceful coexistence in the region. It hasn't been without conflict but not so many wars. China for instance hasn't invaded Japan in the past 2k years.
so it's unsurprising given western democracies jealousy of China, bucket loads of confected Sinophobia, America and its allies' relntless goading and provocation and the encirclement of China's eastern and southeastern approaches by US military bases, that China feels a tad nervous and has armed itself in case the need for defence arises.
australia is a medium power clinging desperately to the coattails of the ruling western power. The govt's decision to go down the AUKUS route means Australia won't be able to defend itself for at least the next 15 years. The drain of AUKUS on the govt budget surely rules out a well balanced ADF.
so we really are at the mercy of China, which fortunately doesn't have a history of imperial expansion.
remember this: America bombs, China builds. Thank your lucky stars the Washington War Party is half a world away.
