Article Highlights: Social credit and Australia, the US-India alliance and militarizing Australian foreign policy
Recommended articles from July 2020
Social credit: The next China risk for Australian business
David Morris | Lowey Institute
Are Australian businesses at risk from China’s social credit system? As Beijing gears up to nationalize the system, Morris gives forewarning on what could be the next potential pothole for Australia-China relations. The “giant reward and punishment system to reward better behaviour, by individuals and by companies” represents a new threat that strengthens China’s power not only internally but abroad as well. Nations like Australia that are deeply embedded in China’s economy must take precautions as “the social credit system could evolve quite quickly and in unexpected ways.” (878 words)
Limits of a US-India military alliance amidst a growing challenge from China
Kartik Bommakanti | Observer Research Foundation
Bommankanti delivers a sobering reminder of the realities of the US-India alliance and challenges the “assumption that American military support is automatic in the event of a wider Sino-Indian war.” The architecture of US domestic politics, lack of public support for overseas campaigns and the inability of the United States to deliver on its strategic interests, especially in South Asia, are all reasons to remain skeptical. At best, the US will bolster India’s defense capacity through increased intelligence and equipment sales, but “the Modi-led government would be well advised to temper its expectations about an alliance and prepare itself for the worst.” (1,243 words)
Into the Dragon’s Mouth: The Dangers of Defence-led Foreign Policy
Richard Moore | Australian Institute of International Affairs
Is Australia militarizing its foreign policy? “Australian military spending now eclipses diplomacy and development almost ten to one, with this unbalanced ratio set to rise further.” This article offers a word of caution on the back of the country’s new 2020 Defence Strategic Update: “Australia’s unbalanced strategic posture risks becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy.” If the country doesn’t tamper its hawkish new foreign policy posture with balanced development of other tools on hand, be that humanitarian aid, diplomacy or otherwise, Australia may be inviting rather than deterring a military clash with China. Moore calls for a whole-of-government approach, one that integrates Australia’s resources across sectors to “unite its international relations in support of the sort of region and globe that Australia wants.” (843 words)