As China rises, Australia is increasingly enmeshed in the US war machine. Is the alliance still worth the risk?
News Source
β’Sat, 12 Sep 2026 00:00:18 GMT
π° What Happened
Former prime minister Kevin Rudd has spoken about Australia's place in the world at the National Press Club. He said the alliance with the United States is still vital for Australia's defence. But he warned it also brings real risks.
Rudd said Australia must build more of its own strength. He told the audience the country needs to be ready for a wide range of possible futures. He called China's rise one of the biggest challenges Australia faces.
A Guardian analysis argues Australia is now deeply tied to the US military. It says the US has access to more than half of Australia's military bases.
π The Backstory
Rudd has held some of Australia's biggest jobs, from prime minister to foreign minister to ambassador. He told the press club that keeping people safe is the first duty of any government.
Australia has been a close ally of the US for decades. Experts quoted in the piece warn that this closeness could pull Australia into a war with China, even if the country does not want one.
π― Why It Matters
These choices decide whether Australia could be dragged into a major power war. They also shape how much money goes to defence instead of schools and hospitals.
Former prime minister Kevin Rudd has spoken about Australia's place in the world at the National Press Club. He said the alliance with the United States is still vital for Australia's defence. But he warned it also brings real risks.
Rudd said Australia must build more of its own strength. He told the audience the country needs to be ready for a wide range of possible futures. He called China's rise one of the biggest challenges Australia faces.
A Guardian analysis argues Australia is now deeply tied to the US military. It says the US has access to more than half of Australia's military bases.
Rudd has held some of Australia's biggest jobs, from prime minister to foreign minister to ambassador. He told the press club that keeping people safe is the first duty of any government.
Australia has been a close ally of the US for decades. Experts quoted in the piece warn that this closeness could pull Australia into a war with China, even if the country does not want one.
These choices decide whether Australia could be dragged into a major power war. They also shape how much money goes to defence instead of schools and hospitals.