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1 week ago | 
asiapacificdefencereporter.com | Kym Bergmann |Saab Pacific
Economic turmoil continues in the US with almost daily shifts in the tariff war being conducted against everyone except Russia. The self-destructive economic behaviour of the Trump administration is likely to drive countries in our region much closer to China – something that will have major implications for Australian security. Not that you will hear a word about that from any of our head in the sand politicians.
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3 weeks ago | 
asiapacificdefencereporter.com | Kym Bergmann |Saab Pacific
We start with some words about the Avalon air show last week. The mood among Australian companies was a bit subdued because Defence expenditure is drying up – but top marks to the RAAF for engaging with the media and doing their best to be open and frank. On that note, an apology to AVM Nick Hogan for how some sections of the press (not us) misinterpreted his comments about F-35s.
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1 month ago | 
asiapacificdefencereporter.com | Kym Bergmann |Saab Pacific
The unreliability of the US as an ally continues to be demonstrated with President Donald Trump publicly reinforcing his wish to turn Canada into the 51st State – but you won’t hear that from any Australian politicians because they are too weak to speak out in defence of a Five Eyes ally.
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1 month ago | 
asiapacificdefencereporter.com | Kym Bergmann |Saab Pacific
In a sudden move, new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced that his country will purchase a version of the Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN). A number of countries have been interested in the technology for decades, but this is the first known sale of the Australian system. It uses High Frequency radio signals refracted by the ionosphere and can detect and track targets thousands of kilometres away.
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1 month ago | 
asiapacificdefencereporter.com | Kym Bergmann |Saab Pacific
The shock waves from the US betrayal of Ukraine and their threats against Canada and Denmark are being felt all around the world, except in Australia where politicians and the media have their heads firmly in the sand. A notable exception was former PM Malcolm Turnbull who has tried to alert people to the danger, but instead has only been asked about the complete irrelevance of his negative comments about Donald Trump and how they might have impacted exemptions from tariffs.
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1 month ago | 
asiapacificdefencereporter.com | Kym Bergmann |Saab Pacific
Due to the complete betrayal of Ukraine by the US, the security situation for the western world – including Australia – is worsening. However, you wouldn’t know that here with complete political and media indifference with people preferring to focus on the weather situation in Queensland. This is appalling parochialism and is ignoring the reality that the cherished “special relationship” with Washington is over. It’s finished.
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1 month ago | 
asiapacificdefencereporter.com | Kym Bergmann |Saab Pacific
If any further proof of the unreliability of the US was needed, it was amply demonstrated last Friday when US President Donald Trump tried to publicly humiliate his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymir Zelenskyy at a White House meeting. It was an appalling performance by the US President – and Australia has to get the message that potentially we are on our own. But have we heard that from the government? Of course not.
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1 month ago | 
asiapacificdefencereporter.com | Kym Bergmann |Saab Pacific
What a week! Two major events have overturned Australia’s security outlook dramatically for the worse. The first is the US throwing Ukraine under the bus and siding with Russia. What has been done to Ukraine is an absolute disgrace and it can be done to Australia – and don’t think for a moment it couldn’t happen. The attempt to extort 50% of Ukraine’s rare earth minerals for equipment already supplied is outrageous.
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2 months ago | 
asiapacificdefencereporter.com | Kym Bergmann |Saab Pacific
The instability and unpredictability of the Trump administration continues – and that should have alarm bells ringing for Australian Defence planners. The US is no longer a reliable ally as is being demonstrated by threats to take Greenland from NATO member Denmark and the unnecessary imposition of tariffs on friendly nations such as Australia.
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2 months ago | 
asiapacificdefencereporter.com | Kym Bergmann |Saab Pacific
We start with some thoughts about the big international story of the moment, the idea from US President Donald Trump that all Palestinians be removed from Gaza so that it can be redeveloped as a luxury waterfront enclave. This does not seem a particularly good idea as President Trump has not yet explained where the 2 million Palestinians will go, or who will pay for the redevelopment.
