SCIENCE said:

Cymek said:

kii said:

Carrick Ryan:

“There are two ways to interpret the Prime Minister’s address to the nation.
The first is the cynical lens, through which we see a politician seeking to ensure that he looks as though he’s doing something, and just trying to get ahead of any media criticism for perceived inaction, while taking the opportunity to galvanise the nation behind him.
An alternative explanation is a little more unsettling.
The Prime Minister made a point of warning “the months ahead may not be easy, I want to be upfront about that.” This was a very deliberate attempt to set the expectations of the Australian people, the storm we are only just beginning to feel will not pass quickly.
Now, it is an objective fact that even if Trump were to end his campaign tomorrow, there is no guarantee that Iran will allow all ships to pass through the Strait, and damage to energy infrastructure in the Gulf will take months to repair. So it’s quite probable that he has received advice that the full impact of this war is yet to reach our shores.
But it is noteworthy that the UK Prime Minister chose to make a similar address only a few hours later, with a similar focus on reassurance rather than substance. It’s noteworthy due to the fact that the UK is a close intelligence partner of Australia, and one can’t help but wonder if both Prime Ministers knows something that we don’t.
Trump’s address, meanwhile, appears to be attempting to sell an impending retreat as a victory. As I wrote yesterday, this is probably the best outcome for everyone if it happens. But no one can predict Trump’s impulses and emotional turns.
Trump’s primary concern seems to be the financial markets, and much of his messaging is seeking to reassure jittery investors that the worst case scenario in the Gulf is unlikely, but the impending long weekend makes me nervous. But the timing is worth noting. Good Friday creates a rare window where US equity markets are closed for three consecutive days.
I’m not suggesting a ground invasion is imminent, but if Trump was looking to escalate, Good Friday would be his best opportunity to give the order without immediately spooking the US market…
…if we can make it to Monday without any major plot twists, it becomes easier to believe this is about managing tensions rather than escalating them.”

Do people believe Australia has much if any influence to change events going on in the Middle East.
I imagine our Prime Minister isn’t going to say, to be honest nothing we can do, you’ll just have to suffer
Its not incompetence its reality

maybe if sovereign countries called it when it came and didn’t keep trying to appease and enable supposed allies spiralling into fascism then they wouldn’t feel so ready to arrogantly push others around

so in fact both ways are the same cynical lens way

I think that allies have always been wary of the USA as a bully whose has some idea its morally superior.
They confuse economic and military might as being the metric by which you are judged as being the best.
It doesn’t matter how people themselves are treated, its might is right that counts.
Human nature and emotionally maturity has never grown with our technology and its almost toddler like.