Geo Political Risk

[Bjauck]

You can trust Keating more than you can trust Dutton or Morrison. It's a whole two weeks since this

https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/...-consultations

It includes the statement

"Both sides committed to deepen defence industry cooperation and enhance their capability edge in the region. Ministers underlined the importance of the Future Submarine program. They agreed to strengthen military scientific research cooperation through a strategic partnership between the Defence Science and Technology Group and the Directorate General for Armaments.".

Dutton just forgot to mention that the future sub programme was with other parties.

In addition to NATO, The UK-France already have a very close bilateral defence relationship with interoperability in many areas. Unlike the transatlantic relationship, the UK does not broadcast this relationship from the campaniles. France will remain a close ally of the UK, USA and Australia no doubt.

[maclir]

In addition to NATO, The UK-France already have a very close bilateral defence relationship with interoperability in many areas. Unlike the transatlantic relationship, the UK does not broadcast this relationship from the campaniles. France will remain a close ally of the UK, USA and Australia no doubt.

No doubt, except there are close allies as defined by America and close allies as defined by the hopeful. France has always been suspicious/jealous of the US/US relationship, indeed of the whole anglospehere; on the other hand the yanks don't trust the French with secrets. An irony of this - one can just imagine the yanks thought it through - is that the EU may now step up militarily in a way the yanks have been advocating for for years. Reducing the reliance on US military power to combat the Russkies, whilst allowing the US to focus more resources on the Pacific is a goal of the US's. It's just so clumsy, just like the withdrawal from Afghanistan.

None of it matters in the end, in terms of what NZ can influence, we can't. We will have a role as a broker between the west and china at some points when it is useful to both.

[Panda-NZ-]

Putins party is not as popular within the country as expected:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinio...ative_election

It wouldn't take much to cause social unrest there..

[BlackPeter]

Putins party is not as popular within the country as expected:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinio...ative_election

It wouldn't take much to cause social unrest there.
Need more exposure on how civil servants somehow become billionaires.

No worries - Putins lackey's will fix the election.

No matter what the mood in the country - the strongman will stay at the trough until a stronger pig pushes him away to take his place.

The mood or will of the people is of no relevance in that regard ... the alt-right destroyed a fledgling democracy in Russia decades ago, as they try to destroy it everywhere.

[Panda-NZ-]

France prepares to bill Australia for the submarine deal cancellation.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world...boris-johnson/

[Davexl]

Unprecedented levels of activity...make of it what you will...

China sends new warning about Taiwan after warplanes cross air defence zone

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/chi...762U5FQQFBVEY/

[GTM 3442]

https://thediplomat.com/2021/09/how-...e-superpowers/

[Panda-NZ-]

Japan's new PM is a breath of fresh air and rather modern for japan.

Calls for a more humane economy, good diplomacy along with keeping nuclear energy in place. I hope he lasts longer than the others.

[greater fool]

Japan's new PM is a breath of fresh air and rather modern.

Calls for a more humane economy, diplomacy along with keeping nuclear energy in place. Hope he lasts longer than the others.

<<< loud stinky fart >>>>............ What rubbish.

Japan has been USA military occupied territory for over 70 years,
Japans Constitution was imposed by the Evil Empire and the LDP is a puppet government.

"Born into a political family, Kishida spent part of his childhood in the United States where he attended elementary school in New York City.^[1] After beginning his career in finance, Kishida entered politics and was elected to the House of Representatives in 1993 as a member of the LDP. Kishida was appointed to various posts in the cabinets of Prime Ministers Shinzo Abe and Yasuo Fukuda from 2007-2008, and was appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs in 2012 after Abe regained the premiereship following the 2012 general election, becoming the longest-serving Foreign Affairs Minister in Japanese history. Kishida later resigned from the Abe cabinet in 2017 in order to head the LDP's Policy Research Council. Kishida also assumed control of the LDP's Kōchikai faction in 2012 following the death of former faction boss Makoto Koga.

Long considered a potential future prime minister, Kishida ran in the 2020 LDP leadership election, however he lost to Yoshihide Suga. Kishida ran again for the party leadership in 2021, this time winning in a second round run-off against opponent Taro Kono. Kishida was confirmed as Prime Minister by the National Diet four days later on 4 October 2021.^[2] Kishida has stated that his premiership will focus on a "new model of capitalism", by seeking to implement redistributive policies and expand the middle class, and will seek to strengthen the Quad Security Dialogue in pursuit of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific foreign policy.^"

[Panda-NZ-]

Japan has been led by one party for decades, with a sucession of hawks so it's an improvement.

Let's not have the perfect be the enemy of the good.

Not a populist either given his reasonable nuclear energy stance.