This week Allan and Darren begin their discussion with a focus on the Five Eyes intelligence grouping, which has been thrust into the limelight after US Secretary of State Pompeo’s warning that allowing Huawei’s participation in 5G infrastructure could jeopardise intelligence cooperation. Allan explains the history and purpose of the grouping, and both question what United States can and should be trying to achieve on this issue.
Australian coal exports are next on the agenda, the question being whether reports of delays at the Chinese port of Dalian reflect political interference or something else, such as good old fashioned protectionism. Would that be ‘better’ than economic coercion? The discussion evolves into a reflection on how China is often treated as a “unitary actor” when, in reality, policy coordination is exceptionally difficult and one should be cautious when imputing grand strategic precision behind reports like these.
Darren then asks Allan to provide some context for how the Australian government approaches the question of sovereign recognition, given Australia has joined with the United States and others in recognising the leader of the Venezuelan opposition as the country’s interim head of state. Finally, the discussion turns to breaking news of brewing conflict between India and Pakistan, which no doubt will be a larger focus in the next episode!
As always, we invite our listeners to email us at this address: australia.world.pod@gmail.com We welcome feedback, requests and suggestions. You can also contact Darren on twitter @limdarrenj
Our thanks go to AIIA intern Charlie Henshall for his help both with research and audio editing, and Rory Stenning for composing our theme music.
Relevant links
Julia Limitone, “Pompeo slams Huawei: US won't partner with countries that use its technolog”, Fox Business: https://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/pompeo-slams-huawei-us-wont-partner-with-countries-that-use-its-technology
Financial Times piece quoting Robert Hannigan: “UK says Huawei is manageable risk to 5G”: https://www.ft.com/content/619f9df4-32c2-11e9-bd3a-8b2a211d90d5
Reuters piece reporting on Australian coal bans at Dalian Port, “Exclusive: China's Dalian port bans Australian coal imports, sets 2019 quota – source” : https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-australia-coal-exclusive/exclusive-chinas-dalian-port-bans-australian-coal-imports-sets-2019-quota-source-idUSKCN1QA0F1
The Spy and the Traitor, by Ben Macintyre: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/253399/the-spy-and-the-traitor-by-ben-macintyre/9781101904190
(An even-handed) review of Stranger Things 2, by Alan Sepinwall: https://uproxx.com/sepinwall/stranger-things-2-review-netflix-second-season/
Ep. 88: Biden/Xi; Dutton/Wong; COP26; Solomon Islands
Ep. 87: On truth and trust in diplomacy (Morrison vs Macron)
Ep. 86: Global Trends 2040 (Part 2), with Heather Smith and Katherine Mansted
Ep. 85: Global Trends 2040 (Part 1), with Heather Smith and Katherine Mansted
Ep. 84: AUKUS revisited; Quad leaders; China & CPTPP; Taiwan
Ep. 83: Debating AUKUS—Deterrence, sovereignty and risk
Ep. 82: Afghanistan evacuation; US alliance at 70; ministerial meetings; 9/11 reflections
Ep. 81: Gary Quinlan (Part 2): Australia-Indonesia relations, ASEAN, and the future of multilateralism
Ep. 80: Gary Quinlan (Part 1): On Indonesia in the world, and diplomacy in a time of COVID-19
Ep. 79: Afghanistan
Ep. 78: New DFAT Secretary; Exchange hack and Pegasus; APEC; return to Afghanistan?
Ep. 77: Debating democracy and the “competition of systems”
Ep. 76: Morrison’s Perth speech; PM Lee’s China advice; an energised G7; bilaterals with UK & France
Ep. 75: PM to NZ; Samoa; Kabul embassy closure; Belarus; lab leak
Ep. 74: Linda Jakobson (Part 2): Australia-China relations; Taiwan
Ep. 73: Linda Jakobson (Part 1): On China, Chinese politics, and Finlandisation
Ep. 72: Leaving Afghanistan; Aust-NZ-China relations; Biden-Suga summit
Ep. 71: Myanmar—tragedy, complexity & power; PNG & Covid-19; Dutton to Defence
Ep. 70: Alaska, “competitive co-existence” & duelling sanctions; Quad outcomes; OECD Cormann
Ep. 69: Biden’s early days; Quad; Pacific Islands Forum
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free