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Tag Archives: Richard Butler
RICHARD BUTLER. Trump Tour: Unbound Cynicism
President Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia and then Israel served entirely cynical international and domestic political purposes. All contentious issues were ignored. The great power competition in the Middle East: US/Saudi and Russia/Iran has deepened.
RICHARD BUTLER. The Honest History Book (UNSW Press 2017)
This is a book of singular importance. It provides the evidence and materials for the correction of the distortion of Australia’s history resulting from Anzackery and the continuing insistence that our national character was forged in and remains defined by … Continue reading
Posted in Defence/Security, Foreign Affairs, Politics
Tagged Anzackery, Gallipoli, Honest History, Richard Butler
3 Comments
RICHARD BUTLER. Turnbull and Trump: Everything Is Illuminated.
In New York, for the Coral Sea commemoration, Turnbull pledged permanent Australian fealty to the US and expressed agreement to Trump’s concept of “fake news”. Rupert Murdoch presided over the ceremony. Greg Norman was present as a witness. Very illuminating. … Continue reading
Posted in Defence/Security, Foreign Affairs
Tagged Australia and US, Coral Sea, George Will, Richard Butler, Rupert Murdoch, Trump, Turnbull
7 Comments
RICHARD BUTLER. Afghanistan: Early Warning.
The US is planning to increase its forces in Afghanistan. It is bound to ask us to do the same. In the light of his performance in New York, our Prime Minister seems certain to accede, and do so without … Continue reading
Posted in Defence/Security, Foreign Affairs
Tagged Afghanistan, Australian troops, Richard Butler, Trump
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RICHARD BUTLER. Malcolm’s Anzac Day Gift. Australian troops will be in the Middle East for the ‘long term’.
The Prime Minister’s statement that Australian military forces will need to remain in Afghanistan and the “Middle East” indefinitely must be clarified as must be the powers under which such decisions are legitimately made.
Posted in Defence/Security, Foreign Affairs, Politics
Tagged Australian troops in Middle East, Malcolm Turnbull, Richard Butler, Steven Pearlstein, Trump and foreign policy, war powers reform
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RICHARD BUTLER. DPRK: The “New Cuban missile crisis”?
The DPRK nuclear weapons programme does not constitute a new Cuban missile crisis. Any military attack upon DPRK would be disastrous. A new political negotiation must be constructed. This is not a problem to be solved by the US alone. … Continue reading
Posted in Defence/Security, Foreign Affairs
Tagged Cuban missile crisis, Donald Trump, DPRK and Security Council, DPRK nuclear program, non-proliferation, Richard Butler, Vice President Pence
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RICHARD BUTLER. US Missile Attack on Syria
The US missile strike on Syria was an act of aggression the consequences of which could be immense. The facts of what happened at Khan Sheikhun must be established.
RICHARD BUTLER. Fake news?
Trump’s threats against DPRK and May’s against Gibraltar, as reported, are fake news. The US’ stance on nuclear non-proliferation of nuclear weapons is a fake.
Posted in Defence/Security, Foreign Affairs
Tagged DPRK, EU, fake news, Gibraltar and Brexit, nuclear bomb, President Xi and DPRK, Richard Butler, Trump and DPRK
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RICHARD BUTLER. The Myths of Australian Foreign Policy.
The review of Australian foreign policy needs to be freed from the myths of our dependency and take serious account of the current and likely state of US foreign and military policy.
Posted in Defence/Security, Foreign Affairs
Tagged Australian foreign policy, fascism, Richard Butler, Trump, US alliance, US imperialism
3 Comments
RICHARD BUTLER. The many risks we run – Trump and the US. (Part 2 of 2)
The deep-seated argument taking place within the US polity, partly but not only because of the mess being presided over by President Trump, makes even more urgent the need for a thorough-going review of Australia’s foreign policy, including how we … Continue reading
RICHARD BUTLER. The many risks we run – United Nations (Part 1 of 2)
The United Nations continues to be vital in the humanitarian field, but is failing in its role of maintaining international peace and security. The continuing abuse of their veto power, by the permanent five members of the Security Council, is … Continue reading
Posted in Defence/Security, Foreign Affairs
Tagged DPRK, famine, ISIS, Israel and Palestine, nuclear weapons, Richard Butler, Syrian civil war, UN
3 Comments
RICHARD BUTLER. Contemplating the Use of Nuclear weapons?
A nuclear arms race between the US and Russia has resumed. The US is increasing the power and effectiveness of its weapons threefold, President Trump has indicated that he is prepared to contemplate using nuclear weapons to achieve some of … Continue reading
RICHARD BUTLER. It Now Begins, in Earnest.
Governing in earnest now begins in the US under the new Administration. The Congress, still deeply divided, will need to make sense of Trump’s sketchy proposals. They are unlikely to agree or succeed. The need for Australia to review and … Continue reading
Posted in Defence/Security, Foreign Affairs
Tagged Alliance, Defense, foreign policy, Richard Butler, Trump
2 Comments
RICHARD BUTLER. Australia and the US: Truth Time.
There is an extraordinary amount of deception and lying around current US policy. The Republican establishment will need to work out where it stands on Trump’s agenda. This is precisely the time for truthful discourse in Australia about our relationship … Continue reading
Posted in Defence/Security, Foreign Affairs, Media, Politics
Tagged 'birther' campaign, alternate facts, media and Trump, National Security Council, Republican leaders, Richard Butler, Steve Bannon, trump and CIA
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RICHARD BUTLER. Trump: A Sideshow?
It is not only Trump that has assumed power in the US but also a set of deeply ideological and introverted Republicans. Both will shape US policy and actions. Australia should now review the conduct of its relationship with the … Continue reading
Posted in Defence/Security, Foreign Affairs, Politics
Tagged Alliance, America First, arms industry, Australian foreign policy, Republicans, Richard Butler, Trump
5 Comments
RICHARD BUTLER. Trump and Nuclear Weapons
Trump’s stance on nuclear weapons is ignorant, inconsistent, confused. What he has proposed on nuclear arms control and proliferation will not be accepted. His latest offer to the Russians has no chance of serious consideration.
RICHARD BUTLER. Julie and Julia in the Promised Land
Australia’s position on Israel’s policy of building settlements in occupied Palestinian land is contrary to that of a clear majority of countries. It is driven by domestic political calculations, by both sides of Australian politics. Foreign Minister Bishop’s unnecessary public … Continue reading
Posted in Defence/Security, Foreign Affairs, Politics
Tagged Israel/Palestine, Julia Gillard, Julie Bishop, Richard Butler, Security Council, Trump, US policy
2 Comments
RICHARD BUTLER. New series: We can say ‘no’ to the Americans.
Australian Foreign Policy; We can say “No” to the US. We must end the interpretation of the ANZUS Alliance which leads us to accompany the US in whatever interventions it mounts in international affairs, and we must stop misleading the … Continue reading
Posted in Defence/Security, Foreign Affairs
Tagged ANZUS alliance, Australian foreign policy, Richard Butler, Series 'no', Trump, US foreign policy
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RICHARD BUTLER. Australian Foreign Policy and the United States
A review of Australian foreign policy is long overdue, not simply because of the election of Donald Trump. This should include redefinition of our conduct under the Alliance.
Posted in Australia and Asia, Foreign Affairs
Tagged ANZUS alliance, Australian foreign policy, nuclear arms control, Richard Butler, Trump, US foreign policy
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RICHARD BUTLER. Our white man’s media.
In this blog, I will be posting occasional pieces under the title ‘our white man’s media’ about the inadequate coverage of important issues in world affairs and in particular, in our region. So much of our media coverage reflects the … Continue reading
RICHARD BUTLER. Attack on Mosul : Australian Involvement?
There does not appear to be a plan for the political disposition of Mosul, if and when the Iraqi/US led coalition frees it from ISIS. The political, economic, and confessional interests at stake have attracted all regional powers. Australia’s … Continue reading
Posted in Defence/Security, Foreign Affairs
Tagged Australian foreign policy, Iraq, Mosul, Richard Butler
1 Comment
RICHARD BUTLER. President Trump: Foreign Policy and the Alliance
Donald Trump’s victory has shocked America and the world. America is deeply divided. Where he might take US foreign policy is unclear. We need to redefine the Alliance relationship. The competition between Trump and Clinton was widely described as savage, … Continue reading
Posted in Defence/Security, Foreign Affairs, Politics
Tagged Australia/US alliance, Richard Butler, Trump, US election
1 Comment
RICHARD BUTLER. Putin is different.
A special issue of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, just published, focuses on the deteriorating US-Russia relationship. It poses the question of whether a new Cold War has started and publishes a range of relevant, articles. The article … Continue reading
Posted in Defence/Security
Tagged new Cold War, Richard Butler, US vs Russia, Vladimir Putin
4 Comments
RICHARD BUTLER. Russia and the US Elections
The US elections campaign has set-up a deeply negative framework for the future management of US/Russia relations. If Hillary Clinton is President her past attraction to military solutions to foreign policy problems will need revision, if conflict is to … Continue reading
Posted in Defence/Security, Foreign Affairs, Politics
Tagged Hillary Clinton, Mosul, Richard Butler, Russia and US, Syria
1 Comment
RICHARD BUTLER. The Seeds of War, and the New UN Secretary General
The sources of potential serious international conflict are expanding, as States increasingly ignore the UN Charter. Australia should support efforts by the new UN Secretary General to strengthen the Charter and join the majority of States seeking to reform … Continue reading
Posted in Defence/Security, Foreign Affairs
Tagged Antonio Guterres, Australian policy at UN, New Secretary General, Richard Butler, Security Council, UN and Human Rights, United Nations
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RICHARD BUTLER. Nuclear disarmament – Australia’s Profound and Cynical Failure.
In 1995 Prime Minister Keating established the Canberra Commission on the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. He did this because he was appalled at the intensity of the, mainly US/USSR, nuclear arms race. He wanted to find a safe way … Continue reading
RICHARD BUTLER. Foreign Policy. An Independent Australian Foreign Policy (Repost from Policy Series)
Summary: For fifty years, since Australia entered the war in Vietnam in 1965, Australian foreign policy has been made increasingly subservient to a specific concept of Australia’s relationship with the United States. That concept, first enunciated by Prime Minister Menzies … Continue reading
Posted in Australia and Asia, Defence/Security, Foreign Affairs, Politics
Tagged regional relationships, Richard Butler, US alliance
2 Comments
RICHARD BUTLER. Interesting Times
The so-called Chinese Curse: “ May you live in interesting times”, is apparently not of Chinese origin, but certainly apocryphal and wonderfully ironic. I think it is hard to recall more “interesting times” than those in which the world … Continue reading
RICHARD BUTLER. The Invasion of Iraq: Will anyone be brought to trial, held to account ?
There was anxiety about why it had taken 7 years for the result of the UK’s Iraq Enquiry to be published. Would it prove to be a whitewash of Tony Blair and his decisions? Within minutes of watching its … Continue reading
RICHARD BUTLER. Obama and Nuclear Weapons
It is widely acknowledged by those who have had anything substantive to do with nuclear weapons that as long as they exist they will, one day, be used, either by accident or decision. Equally, it is acknowledged that any such … Continue reading
Posted in Defence/Security, Foreign Affairs, Politics
Tagged banning nuclear weapons, Obama and nuclear weapons, Richard Butler
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