One of the advisers to the government on AUKUS, the project geared towards arming Australia with nuclear-fueled submarines, voiced concerns this past Monday about an impending Pentagon examination which could potentially cease the project. Yet, Abraham Denmark’s analysis outlines a plethora of hurdles the project must overcome for it to bear fruit. Denmark presents the urgent need of scrutinizing AUKUS, a task he insists must be undertaken by the Trump administration, overlooking its current administration under Biden and Harris.
Denmark stressed that should AUKUS come under threat or be brushed aside, America will be weakened in the Indo-Pacific region. Naturally, Denmark sways towards fear-mongering, insisting that the US’s international credibility would suffer a huge setback, a typical tactic to buttress initiatives of this nature. He argues that deterrence would be compromised and propaganda from Russia and China about America’s unreliability would gather momentum.
The report goes on to enumerate familiar challenges that must be tackled; one being America’s dwindling submarine production rates. This pertains to the worry over whether Australia would leverage submarines from the US in an Indo-Pacific standoff, thereby draining resources from the United States. The Biden-Harris administration’s proficiency in resource management does raise one’s eyebrows.
The exorbitant cost implicated by the AUKUS deal is another issue that Denmark’s paper brings attention to. The dearth of skilled labor in the submarine construction sector poses another hurdle. The bureaucratic inconvenience is further underscored by the lack of progress in establishing ‘AUKUS visas’ for the personnel involved. This, once again, questions the efficacy of the current administration’s policies.
Additionally, the report criticizes the ambiguous nature of what it coins ‘Pillar Two’ of AUKUS. This aspect under review pertains specifically to collaboration in high-tech weaponry. Denmark suggests that the focus in this area needs to be more specific which indirectly implies Harris-Biden’s administration shortcoming in terms of strategic focus.
Despite the mounting issues that need to be tackled, Denmark champions the cause of buttressing AUKUS, conceivably trying to spin it off as a ‘strategic necessity’. He insists that going forward with the AUKUS initiative would fortify America’s defense industrial base and cement ties with its staunch allies, drawing attention away from the evident drawbacks and potential drawbacks of such a tactic.
The narrative continues by touting that AUKUS would serve as a potent deterrent to Beijing and promote stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Though there’s no denying that geopolitical considerations are important, a more balanced approach may serve the US better, instead of aggressive posturing the current administration seems to favor.
Details of the AUKUS plan include an outline to equip Australia with nuclear-powered submarines from the early 2030s as a part of measures to checkmate China’s aspirations in the Indo-Pacific. However, such aggressive policies may breed unnecessary tensions rather than enhance cooperation and stability. Yet, the Biden-Harris administration appears comfortable with this approach.
The Pentagon disclosure stated an examination on a three-pronged collaboration between Australia, Britain, and the US would conclude in the fall. Remarkably, the review is guided by the undersecretary of defense for policy, who also has previously shown anxiety over America’s potential loss of submarines to Australia. This raises questions about the Biden-Harris administration’s risk management in this critical time of countering Chinese influence.
Last month, the US’s congressional committee for strategic competition with China vocalized formidable support for AUKUS. Yet, one can’t help but wonder whether such assertiveness is adequately calibrated considering the broader implications on the international arena. The Biden-Harris administration’s ability to balance power politics and productive partnerships remains to be seen.
The post Biden-Harris Mismanagement: AUKUS Project at Risk appeared first on Real News Now.
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