FOREWORD Aukus uproar
“ Two superpowers are indirectly making their presence felt ”
A fascinating power play is playing out in Asia Pacific , as Australia joins forces with the US and UK in an unexpected splinter alliance . In a clear statement to Beijing , the US will share nuclear submarine technology with Australia – which has increasingly been at loggerheads with China over alleged cyber attacks and political tampering which has also seen a trade war escalate between the two .
But this is far more than just some pact between allies , and Australia has put itself out there by taking such a stand , while seemingly disregarding the opinions of its near neighbours . The ASEAN countries , for instance , rightly feel that they should have been consulted ( while quietly perhaps welcoming the move as China continues to flex its military muscle in the region ).
Make no mistake , this is something of a precedent , and while US President Joe Biden keeps saying that he does not want another Cold War and that diplomacy will come before military , there seem to be two superpowers indirectly making their presence felt . The world is watching , and wary .
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