Richard Butler

Richard Butler AC Former Ambassador to the United Nations, Executive Chairman of UN Special Commission to Disarm Iraq, Professor of International Affairs.

Richard's recent articles

Answers to Trump questions about attacking China and Iran

Answers to Trump questions about attacking China and Iran

The question of who would tell Trump the truth when needed and who would stop him if he tried to go to war with anyone became increasingly urgent as his presidency unfolded. On the matter of war, we now know the answer.

White Mans Media: controlled from afar and against the national interest.

White Mans Media: controlled from afar and against the national interest.

The ownership and direction of a majority of the media, in Australia, is based in London and New York. They have no intrinsic interest in Australia and its welfare as a nation but only as a source of revenue and, as a piece of what they see as the western cause. They influence our foreign policy formulation, through their editorial choices and, we help them do it.

War with China is not inevitable: A revolution in Australian foreign policy should be.

War with China is not inevitable: A revolution in Australian foreign policy should be.

The Governments warnings that war with China is inevitable are propaganda. There is no such inevitability. A decision to go to war is taken by humans. It is not determined by an iron law of history. Key questions are: why are we being softened up for this war now; has the Morrison Government already decided that were to go to war with China? Australian foreign policy needs profound revision.

Joe Bidens Inauguration: We must end this uncivil war

Racism was the core of Trumps politics. The country divided along the lines of the Civil War and of post-reconstruction America. In his inaugural address, Biden acknowledged this reality. His Administration will prioritise tackling the pandemic but success with that and other key policy areas will depend on winding down the uncivil war.

Storming the Capitol to destroy an election is the least of what happened

The ultimate travesty of Trumpism is not simply its shocking aggression at the Capitol on January 6, but what that action revealed as the depths of division within the US polity and society. Biden and Harris have a formidable job to restore a modicum of reliable order. We need to re-think Australias willingness to accept US directions.

Its Arrived: Trumps attempt to steal the election

Will Trumps crazed attempt to steal the election wake up his enablers. They will need a plan to dispose of him if, as now seems likely, he loses the election.

The US gravest pandemic: the assault on truth.

The future of Democracy in America is at stake in the November election and, underlying this, is the future of its essential foundation truth in public discourse.

US: Grand Theft Election

Trump is working on stealing the result of the election in November. His main contention of political substance that it is a law and order election is shadowed by the actions he is taking to prevent an unhindered, fair vote, from taking place.

Kamala Harris might ensure a fair fight

Joe Biden's choice of Kamala Harris as his candidate for Vice President is outstanding. It takes the fight to Trump and Pence forcefully. Harris presence in the debates and the campaign will strengthen the possibility that the vote will be allowed to determine the outcome, not corruption.

RICHARD BUTLER. Covid19 USA: The Human Exchange Rate

Trump has now clarified that the meaning of the disaster that Covid-19 is posing to the US is that it could threaten his re-election. It is not a health problem. He thinks reopening the economy is his path to political salvation.

RICHARD BUTLER AND RICHARD WHITINGTON. "Manufactured Consent". Think Tanks - two different animals.Part 4 of 4

In the last of this series examining the contemporary relevance of Noam Chomskys thesis on Manufactured Consent, Richard Butler says there is a sharp division between Think Tanks that mainly think and those that target specific interests.

RICHARD BUTLER AND RICHARD WHITINGTON. "Manufactured Consent" in truth-deprived and electronic times.Part 2 of 4

This is the second in a series by Richard Whitington and Richard Butler about the contemporary validity of Noam Chomskys thesis on manufactured consent: the coalition of convenience between business, the military, the intelligence community and a complicit partner - big media.

RICHARD BUTLER Spaghetti Americana: US Middle east Policy

Trumps agreement on the telephone with Erdogan that Turkey could go ahead and invade Kurdish Syria was a disaster; local and, geo-political.

RICHARD BUTLER. Trump's impeachment:By any decent standard?

The Republicans have ensured that there is no decent standard under Trump. They will need to think again or allow Trump to burn down their house as he seeks to save himself from impeachment.

RICHARD BUTLER. The Termination of a Terminator: John Bolton

The departure of John Bolton from the post of national security advisor to Trump removes from a crucial position a person whose belief in the US waging war on what he identified as its enemies was boundless. His recommendation for every perceived foreign policy problem has been to take military action. He was the fourth person to hold the position of National Security Advisor under Trump, during the past 33 months. His predecessors resigned or were let go. Bolton's departure is easily the most dramatic of them.

RICHARD BUTLER Trump's Weapon of Choice: Animus

It is widely believed that Trump's continually expressed animosity towards black and brown people, particularly Mexicans, his description of immigrants/asylum seekers as constituting an invasion of the US, an infestation, caused the mass murder at El Paso. Trump's animus dominates virtually all of his rhetoric, towards every subject; from China, the EU, the media, Iran, nuclear arms control, to every issue in US domestic politics and, every action by the Obama administration. This is a dangerous pathology and, in the context of the Alliance, our Government is being pressed to further subscribe to it, with respect to China.

RICHARD BUTLER-Fake News, Alternative Facts and now Alternative Intelligence

Trump has terminated the supremo of US intelligence, John Coats, and has nominated as the new Director of National Intelligence, Texas Congressman John Ratcliffe. His unstinting commitment to all things Trump and, his inexperience in intelligence and foreign affairs, would seem to guarantee that he will provide alternative intelligence to Trump's liking.

RICHARD BUTLER Australia can expect to be asked to take part in an attack on Iran: unless Putin saves us.

US hostility towards Iran has reached a threatening level. Disarray in policy making, lies and, the absence of any clear strategy is involved. War is now at hand and may even seem easier for the US. Australia must think through its interests and principles on this and, ask the US substantive questions. Our participation in an attack on Iran is not simply a matter of Alliance duty. None of the main leaders who will meet Trump at Osaka, other than Putin can help. He could hose it all down. But, will he choose to?

RICHARD BUTLER The Espionage Olympiad and the Art of "Plausible Deniability".

If there was a competition between the key ways in which international relations is conducted, aside from the use of military force, then the area of intelligence gathering and the covert pursuit of national objectives - all-round spookery - would easily win gold. It is widespread, has been entrenched for centuries and, nothing matches its deployment of hypocrisy, moral relativism and, all round obscurantism. It is also an endless source of fascination and entertainment; in both fact and fiction.

US Foreign Policy: Preference for Conflict

US foreign and military policy is thoroughly fused. The cliches which assert that: military postures are designed to shore up diplomacy and, the other favourite; articulated by the US in virtually every situation:- all options are on the table; do not dilute this fact. The key consequences of this are: the US is always at war; expects this to be the case; favours wars of choice; when needed, constructs the reasons for them. The positive news is that others see this reality, are making their own calculations and, are going their own way. Australia should begin to see it too.

RICHARD BUTLER The Ostrich in the Room: The Alliance

The ostrich buries its head in the sand in the belief that what it can't see isn't there; won't harm it. If perception is everything, the Ostrich has a point. But it isn't and, the wilful exclusion from our recent election campaign of any debate about Australian foreign policy, especially the demands being placed on Australia by the US, did the ostrich credit. Like it or not the new Government will have to lift its head.

RICHARD BUTLER Iran: Another US War by Choice

The character and political needs of President Trump and the obsessions of John Bolton are coalescing towards US action directed at regime change in Iran. The reasons given for the current increase in US military deployments in the Persian Gulf demand careful, independent analysis, before Australia responds to any US request that it join it in its actions. It is not simply an Alliance issue.

RICHARD BUTLER. Brexit: Wilful Blindness

The manic pursuit of Brexit by PM May, against all the facts and reason, dismisses any clear sight or recollection of the relevant history of Europe. Her actions will determine the future of the UK as presently constituted and, have a profound impact upon global stability. She is putting these things at risk to keep the Conservative party alive. That party is not identical with the UK. It is an English party and is apparently determined to preserve its notion of England, at all costs.

RICHARD BUTLER -Rationality and Fairness in International relations

The reliable and stable conduct of international relations rests on two key assumptions: rationality and fairness. Both are in dangerously short supply today. When a new government is formed in Australia, it should at least make a start on correcting the part we have played in shaping these circumstances

RICHARD BUTLER. Nuclear Nonsense

Nuclear Nonsense The profound hypocrisy of the ownership of nuclear weapons is growing. Sideshows such as those wanted by Trump, in Singapore and Hanoi will change nothing. A return to serious discussions by the two nuclear weapons mega-powers, Russia and US, is needed, urgently.

RICHARD BUTLER. A Guessing Game

Trumps extraordinary public attack on the whole of the US intelligence community has fuelled a guessing game: the well established one which questions the relationship between intelligence assessments and policy development; and, a current one, which questions whether Trump has any interest in policy having a factual basis. Its anyones guess where the latter will lead.

RICHARD BUTLER. Unconstitutional politics.

The evidence is now in. Donald Trump wants a second term: his base is indispensible to this end; he must deliver on the biggest chunk of red meat he tossed it during the election campaign the wall on the border with Mexico- which he would have Mexico pay for. Problem is, Mexico refuses.

RICHARD BUTLER. Ethics Etherised

Based on the facts of his conduct of his office, and there is clearly much more to emerge, the end of Trump should be in sight. But, this is not certain to be achieved. To an unprecedented degree, the President of the US is enmired in illegal conduct and is directing US external relations disastrously. But, of overwhelming importance, is that he has etherised ethics as a core part of US public discourse and political life. The Republican Party and right wing media, including Murdochs Fox, have enabled this.

RICHARD BUTLER. What is History?

President Macrons warning against growing nationalism and the need to ensure the preservation of values, as against unalloyed selfishness in international relations, was an important way to mark the Centenary of the end of the First World War. Trump was present, but certainly not listening. The show was not about him and, he couldnt find his umbrella.

Will behaving like the 51st state of the United States win Wentworth for the Liberals?

Prime Minister Morrison has been channeling Donald Trump for the Wentworth by-election, on two key policies and in his handling of the truth of important matters.

RICHARD BUTLER. John Bolton's speech: Hostility, misrepresentations, US self-regard.

Bolton's authorized major speech on the International Criminal Court misrepresented it, expressed deep hostility to it, but was revealing of just how deeply entrenched in US foreign policy is the notion of US exceptionalism, under which it and Israel are immune from international law.

RICHARD BUTLER. Trump: It's not legal, it's political and the jury's out on that.

It should be anticipated that Trump will be found to have broken various US laws and, obviously, trashed established political and Constitutional rules. What it is decided should be done about this will not be guided by the law but by the now dysfunctional domestic politics of the US. That dysfunctionality, in both domestic and foreign policy, cannot be overstated. This is the USs business, but we need to think hard about its effects on us.

RICHARD BUTLER. Foreign Policy on Auto-Pilot: In Spite of the Weather

Every week now, we are presented with another reason to think hard about exactly what our joined at the hip relationship with the US obliges us to do. July Bishops Foreign Policy White paper doesnt meet that need. Indeed, it urges us to deepen our relationship with the US as the way ahead. Our relationship of dependence on the US renders us unable to address effectively the key current and foreseeable determinants, of politics among nations.

RICHARD BUTLER. Trump/Putin : Finnish Rhapsody

In a most unusual Trump/Putin media conference in Helsinki it seemed that the notably absent participant was Robert Mueller.

RICHARD BUTLER. Trump Banishes Compassion: zero tolerance

The events at the US/Mexican border of the last days have been marked by: a quintessential Trumpian mix of lies, obfuscation, an Administration in disarray and, above all, cruelty, with children and infants as its victim. There has been a ruthless manipulation of xenophobia and racism for domestic political purposes. A most fundamental ethical value: compassion has been traduced.

RICHARD BUTLER. Singapore: Sound and Lights

Trump told us that, in Singapore, he would make it up as he went along. It appears that he kept his word on that. Afterwards he told the world that if it all tanks, he will make up an excuse for it. His central motive for the Summit was domestic distraction and, the usual addiction to self- aggrandizement. A potentially heavy price was paid in Singapore, by all affected by DPRK policies and, the US domestic distraction was not achieved.

RICHARD BUTLER. Domestic fixation/ Foreign Salvation?

Plainly Trump is fixated upon the domestic political scandals in which he is mired. The idea that he can find salvation through an achievement on the international stage is dubious. Whatever happens at the Summit with Kim Jong Un will not cause those scandals to disappear and, the outcome of the Summit is not uniquely in his gift. Although not at the table, China and Russia will have a say.

RICHARD BUTLER. US Ultimatum to Iran: A Classic or a Fake?

Secretary of State Pompeos speech to roll out the US Plan B on Irans nuclear programme was an ultimatum and, a plan for regime change in Iran. The ultimatum will be rejected but without the classic follow up; in this case, an attack on Iran. It will be proven to be an undeliverable fake.

RICHARD BUTLER. United States and Israel: Known By the Company We Keep.

In our voting with the US against a resolution of the UN Human Rights Commission to establish an independent enquiry into recent Israeli use of lethal force against Palestinian demonstrators, we have shown far and wide, our subservience to the US and, by extension, to the policies of Benyamin Netanyahu.

RICHARD BUTLER. US and the Iran Agreement: True Lies and Chaos.

In explaining his decision on the US leaving the Iran nuclear agreement (JCPOA), President Trump told a number of true lies. His National Security Advisor, John Bolton, then told the truth: it was to conform with Israels wishes. Israel and Iran commenced hostilities in Syria, immediately.

RICHARD BUTLER. An Avalanche of Advocates

While the US will be without an Ambassador in Canberra for a while it can be forgiven for thinking it will be able to rely, on our own home-grown Alliance advocates.

RICHARD BUTLER. Admiral Harris is not coming: does it matter?

The decision by incoming US Secretary of State Pompeo, to withdraw the nomination of Admiral Harry Harris as US Ambassador to Australia, is something within his gift. Julie Bishop and Malcolm Turnbull had fervently welcomed the proposed appointment. Presumably she and Malcolm Turnbull will now formulate ways in which to suggest that its of no particular consequence. Is it or does it reflect what America really thinks of us?

RICHARD BUTLER. Hypocrisy and Sanctimony: a Poisonous Brew.

The arguments advanced to justify the illegal US/French/UK attack upon Syrian CW related facilities incorporated buckets of sanctimony and numbing hypocrisy. There has been no serious discussion of the justification given by the three; because it was known to be patently false. And, worse, by setting themselves above the law, these three permanent members of the UN Security Council, hammered another nail into the now, well advanced, shape of the Security Councils coffin. And, theres been no serious discussion of this dangerous reality.

RICHARD BUTLER. The US/DPRK Summit: War or Peace?

The planned Trump/Kim Summit has a clear choice between a negotiated solution, or war. There is a choice, whatever both sides may say. War is not unavoidable and if it were to occur it would be devastating.

Turnbull and Trump: Meeting of Mates

It is not clear what this weeks US/Australia summit meeting will achieve. Both participants might welcome its optics, but each have other political needs. The critical issue for Australia is likely to be what exactly will Trump ask of Turnbull and will he get it. It is depressingly unlikely that Turnbull will address any of the areas in which Trumps policies have been destabilising, destructive and widely rejected.

The Right to Keep and Bear Arms; and to use them

Guns and arms are embedded in US culture. It seems unable or unwilling to fix this, even though its people want it fixed.Its arms manufacturers are opposed to any solution. This shapes US foreign policy. Our engagement in this syndrome endangers us.

The Alliance: Deeper thought required urgently

This is not the time to deepen our commitment to the alliance and, become ever more involved in the US imperium and need for enemies. We need to think freshly about our international relations and security. The recent Foreign Policy White Paper, constructed by Julie Bishop, was depressingly free of any such fresh thought. The new US Ambassador clearly sees his role to ride shot gun on Australia's military role in the Alliance.

RICHARD BUTLER. The State of the Union: Pantomime, With Menaces

Trumps State of the Union speech was filled with menaces to enemies both foreign and domestic. US policy is now comprehensively militarized and in the hands of Trumps Generals. It was a dangerous pantomime, with much cheering from Republicans who still seem to hope that no one will notice the Faustian bargain they have done with Trump and militarism.

RICHARD BUTLER. The Real Danger: A New Nuclear Arms Race.

New US nuclear weapons policies, quantitative and qualitative will ensure that a new nuclear arms race proceeds. Global danger will increase as will the possibility of the use of nuclear weapons. Its not just Trump that is at issue. He has merely enabled an increased influence of the US military/industrial/intelligence complex and, of a specifically imperial mind-set, in the US: the one that has seen the US author war repeatedly since the Second World War. Does the Alliance compel Australia to support this?

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