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

Resolution for 2018: persuade our political leaders to work harder on establishing an independent Australian foreign policy

Australias foreign policy must no longer be formed by the interests of the US military/intelligence/industrial lobbies or the neuroses of US domestic politics.

RICHARD BUTLER. Turnbull and Trump: Everything Is Illuminated.- A REPOST

In New York, for the Coral Sea commemoration, Turnbull pledged permanent Australian fealty to the US and expressed agreement to Trumps concept of fake news. Rupert Murdoch presided over the ceremony. Greg Norman was present as a witness. Very illuminating.

RICHARD BUTLER. 2018: La Commedia Continua?

Two new basic policy statements by Canberra and Washington offer no hope for a constructive engagement of either in finding multilateral solutions to major political and humanitarian problems.

RICHARD BUTLER. The ring seems to be closing on the Trump Presidency

Every day brings deeper levels of concern about Trumps conduct of his office. There is widening and, given American respect for the office itself, uncharacteristically public speculation about his fitness for it. The ring appears to be closing.

RICHARD BUTLER. Jerusalem: US Foreign Policy begins at home.

In fulfilling a campaign promise made to what he discerned to be an important part of his base, Christian evangelicals and Jewish Americans, that is, to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, Trump has: trashed all prior iterations of US policy; taken a position opposed by every other nation, except Israel; and, sunk all existing frameworks for a resolution of the Israel/Palestine problem. He was motivated by domestic political concerns but also by the growing US alignment with Saudi Arabia in the current power struggle in the Middle East.

RICHARD BUTLER. North Korea joins the club

North Korea (DPRK) has made clear that it expects recognition as a nuclear weapon state (NWS). It has now implied, like most existing NWS, that it would follow a policy of no first use. US policy continues to be that DPRK nuclear weapon capability must be eliminated, or the DPRK will be.

RICHARD BUTLER. Making the use of nuclear weapons thinkable again?

The Trump Administration is preparing a new Nuclear Posture Review, (NPR) to be completed by early 2018. The instruction under which it is proceeding is to make US nuclear weapons more useable, in a variety of situations. It is being preceded by a massive program of new nuclear weapons development. Russia is also embarked on a similar program of expansion of its nuclear weapons capability. It seems that these weapons are being designed to be used more widely, not simply to serve as a deterrent force.

RICHARD BUTLER. Eat Your Heart out Marco Polo

They say in the history of people coming to China, theres been nothing like that. And I believe it President Donald Trump speaking about his Asian travels, to journalists on Airforce One, en route to Hanoi.

RICHARD BUTLER. The showdown between principles and interests.

The conflict between principles and interests now afflicting the US polity is stark. Participants from all sides of the political mainstream know that Trumps presidency is proving disastrous and that they will need to act to rectify this. For now, the Republicans are continuing to prefer the pursuit of their partisan interests to acting to rescue the system of principles and institutions vital to the Republic; which are repeatedly jeopardized by Trump and his rampant egocentricity. Much is at issue for the US and globally.

RICHARD BUTLER. Iraq 2003: the Fabricated War of Choice

Gordon Brown has revealed a report showing that US intelligence Agencies knew Iraq did not have WMD and told the Bush Administration so. The invasion of Iraq was a war of choice, preferred by Bush, and Blair which Howard joined with alacrity.

RICHARD BUTLER. The Alliance: The Facts and the Furphies

A review of how we conduct our alliance relationship with the US is urgently required, not simply because it has elected a President who is unfit for his job, but because of the US attachment to war.

RICHARD BUTLER. New Sanctions on North Korea: No substitute for direct political engagement

The new sanctions on DPRK will likely suffer the failure of so many such sanctions orders. DPRK policy and actions have their reasons. Those must be addressed directly, politically. Will the nuclear weapon states do it, or is it too close to their bones?

RICHARD BUTLER. Anarchy restored: Trump and Kim jong un.

The dispute over the DPRKs nuclear weapons program is a disturbing example of the renewal of anarchy as the main determinant in international politics. It is being conducted by two unreliable leaders. Intervention by saner states is needed urgently.

RICHARD BUTLER. Iran: Trump is demanding fake facts.

President Trump is demanding that US intelligence agencies provide material on which he can base a declaration that Iran is not in compliance with the international agreement to curb its nuclear programme. The material does not exist, so theyll need to be fake facts.

RICHARD BUTLER. Trump's "Principled Realism" : details withheld

President Trumps speech on a new Afghanistan strategy was partly designed to mitigate the extreme harm he did by his Charlottesville outbursts. Apart from claiming that the US would win in Afghanistan, no details were given. He bashed Pakistan, embraced India and made clear that allies, such as Australia, would be expected to support the new tack by contributing military assets and money.

RICHARD BUTLER. Has Bishop's time come?

The publication by a leading journalist of an extraordinary puff piece on Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and her leadership skills, is bound to set political hares running. But, where to?

RICHARD BUTLER. Turnbulls Appalling Statement

Australia is not compelled to accompany the US in a war on North Korea, as PM Turnbull has asserted. His recent statement would seem to reflect his need to distract attention from the serious disputes within his government. That it has resulted in his endorsing the possible use of nuclear weapons is a profound moral failure. Trump seems dug in and maybe thats where the deep state wants him.

RICHARD BUTLER. The Myths of Australian Foreign Policy. (Reposted from 31 March 2017)

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.

RICHARD BUTLER. Trump: A Sideshow? (This is a repost from 27 January 2017)

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 US, and develop an independent foreign policy, freed from the dictates of internal US politics.

RICHARD BUTLER. Off With Their Heads

Article 44 of our Constitution defining who may or may not run for Parliament needs authoritative interpretation because its hopelessly out of touch with todays Australia. This need not augur a grotesque Hansonite event reiterating that non-Christian barbarians are at the door.

RICHARD BUTLER. Dangerous Dysfunction

US foreign policy is being conducted in an incoherent and dysfunctional manner and key military decisions have been delegated by the President to the Pentagon. Trump, however, is threatening further military action against Syria based on the charges that, in the last similar instance, were deemed to be false, including by his own intelligence agencies. The possibility of conflict with Russia over Syria is growing. What role does the Australian government see for us in such a circumstance?

RICHARD BUTLER. Turnbull, Trump and the Alliance

Trumps presidency is in deep jeopardy. There is serious instability in the US polity. Political leaders of virtually all countries comparable to Australia are stepping back from, loosening, their relationship with the United States. Prime Minister Turnbull, alone, is not. Instead we are buying massively costly US military equipment and Turnbull thought it useful to announce, publicly, that Australias purpose in the Middle East is to kill as many ISIS as possible.

RICHARD BUTLER. Trump Tour: Unbound Cynicism

President Trumps 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.

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 Australias history resulting from Anzackery and the continuing insistence that our national character was forged in and remains defined by our participation in foreign wars.

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 prior public or parliamentary discussion.

RICHARD BUTLER. Malcolms Anzac Day Gift. Australian troops will be in the Middle East for the 'long term'.

The Prime Ministers 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.

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.

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?

Trumps threats against DPRK and Mays against Gibraltar, as reported, are fake news. The US stance on nuclear non-proliferation of nuclear weapons is a fake.

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 Australias foreign policy, including how we conduct ourselves within the alliance.

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 jeopardizing the UN itself. This must be resisted.

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 his stated objectives.

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 Trumps sketchy proposals. They are unlikely to agree or succeed. The need for Australia to review and redefine the conduct of its relationship with the US has become even more urgent.

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 Trumps agenda. This is precisely the time for truthful discourse in Australia about our relationship with the US.

RICHARD BUTLER. Trump and Nuclear Weapons

Trumps 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

Australias position on Israels 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 Bishops unnecessary public reiteration of this position not only addresses a favoured domestic constituency, but seeks to reassure the Trump camp of our fealty.

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 Australian people on the nature of the Alliance.

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.

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 interests and views of the US. Is the Wretched situation in Yemen of no interest to Australians? The civil war in Yemen has been underway for over a year. In 2015 Saudi Arabia led a coalition of 3 other Arab states and Pakistan in invading and attacking Yemen, its southern neighbor. Saudis role was the significantly largest one...

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. Australias reasons for taking part, as the 4th largest contributor to the coalition, need clarification. Almost a month ago, the Iraqi led attack on Mosul, Iraqs second largest city, began. Its aim is to drive ISIS out of that city. In addition to the Iraqi forces, this action is being joined by Peshmerga ( Kurdish ) troops, and Shia militia, supported...

RICHARD BUTLER. President Trump: Foreign Policy and the Alliance

Donald Trumps 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, to an unprecedented degree. It was also a competition between two candidates who polling showed they were the least liked of all time. Thus, a significant number of voters saw their decision as one of choosing between two evils. These are important facts about the election and the state of the US polity, but of fundamental importance in...

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 by Fiona Hill, Director of the Center for the United States and Europe at the Brookings Institution is impressive ( thebulletin.org, volume 72, issue 3). It discusses Vladimir Putins origins, nature, what he has become, the nature of the state he runs, and most importantly how he views the US and other western countries. Having traced Putins political origins...

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 be avoided. Speaking at the Alfred Smith dinner, in New York, on October 20th, Hillary Clinton referred to a difficulty Donald Trump had apparently encountered in his use of a teleprompter, during a campaign event. She said to Trump: Theyre hard to keep up with, and Im sure its even harder when youre translating from the original Russian. The audience...

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 the Security Council.

RICHARD BUTLER. Nuclear disarmament - Australias 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 in which nuclear weapons could be eliminated, to which international agreement might be given. The Commission was composed of 16 eminent persons from relevant fields. Keating appointed me as Convenor of the Commission. In 1996, Keating having lost the national elections, I presented the completed Commission Report to Prime Minister Howard. His demeanor was as if I was handing him...

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 Australias relationship with the United States. That concept, first enunciated by Prime Minister Menzies in 1955, was that for its survival, Australia needed a great and powerful friend. All of our key decisions in foreign policy since then have been shaped by our own construct of what loyalty to the United States and the Alliance demanded. That construct has been to follow the US practice and to identify foreign policy with military and...

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 finds itself today, nor a time fraught with more danger, since the sleepwalking towards World War I. Heres a list of todays main issues in international politics, 15 of them. By way of necessary preface, I caution that this will almost certainly be found to be incomplete, and that it refers almost exclusively to politics.

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 UKs Iraq Enquiry to be published. Would it prove to be a whitewash of Tony Blair and his decisions? Within minutes of watching its Chair, Sir John Chilcot, introduce to the public the Enquirys report, yesterday, it was clear that those apprehensions were not be fulfilled.

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 use would be a catastrophe. Thus, the logical and human solution is to eliminate them. Three months after he assumed his office, President Obama publicly joined those who accept these truths when, in Prague on April 9th, 2009, he said: I state clearly and with conviction Americas commitment to seek the peace and security of a world without...

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