By Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan
President Joe Biden has created a new Indo-Pacific security alliance with Britain and Australia that will allow a greater sharing of defense capabilities — including helping equip Australia with nuclear-powered submarines.
President Joe Biden announced British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who joined him by video to unveil the new alliance, which will be called “AUKUS”. The three announced they would quickly turn their attention to developing nuclear-powered submarines for Australia.
It has embarrassed the whole world. As it undermines NATO and QUAD, the importance of NATO has almost reached an end and may remain dysfunctional or turned into a political and economic partner. In the past, especially during the cold war era, NATO was very active and important, but after the cold war era, it was observed that the US is no longer sincere with the NATO alliance, but using them only for political purposes. War on Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, Syria, etc., the actual decisions were made by the US only, NATO was involved to legalize American actions and decisions. NATO’s role was almost ceremonial or minimum.
Especially, when it was decided by the US to attack Afghanistan, NATO was taken on board, but, in the end, NATO was ignored and all the negotiations with the Taliban were made directly between the Taliban and the US only, nothing to do with NATO. Withdrawal of Troops from Afghanistan was also an act of isolation, with any consultation with Allies – NATO.
Currently, the US takes China as a major threat and all efforts are made to counter China. The New Alliance AUKUS is only focused on countering China. The trust deficiency with other NATO members and EU countries was an obstacle for the US. That was the reason, the US formed a new alliance, where it feels more trust and comfort.
In fact, the US was not comfortable with the EU for quite some time but was reluctant to acknowledge, by forming a new alliance, it is obvious that the US has taken a major shift in its foreign policy. The US was a major trading partner of the EU, but currently, some of the EU member countries have enhanced economic cooperation with China and are no longer dependent on the US. China is a major trading partner and investor for some EU countries. China is a job creator and opportunities provider for many EU countries. That is why the US also feels odd and focused on a new alliance where it feels more trust and comfort.
Strangely, The UK defense official declared that the US is no longer a superpower, yet, the US has chosen it for a new alliance. France, who was in the advanced stage of negotiation with Australia for the nuclear deal, but at the last moment, the project was grabbed by the US. France is annoyed and calls back his Ambassador. It might overreact with the US at a suitable time too. Anyhow, the EU is disappointed with the US decision of bypassing France. It is considered that the US has betrayed the EU.
On the other hand, equipping Australia with Nuclear weapons is dangerous as Australia is not mature enough and may misuse it. As well, it may create a race in the region. All non-nuclear states may feel the threat and may opt for nuclearization. If such a race is initiated, it might end up with the nuclearization of the whole region, which cannot afford.
The Quad was an alliance between the US, Japan, India, and Australia, to counter China. Maybe the US has judged the capabilities and loyalty of India and may not depend on it. Japan was an Asian country, and the US may not trust it too. That is why a new Alliance AUKUS was created. It seems a biased and discriminatory treatment with India and Japan. Is it due to the reason of Asian nations? Under Quad, the US has not extended nuclear weapons to its Asian Allies Japan and India, but is willing to equip Australia, is it discrimination?
While humanity is seeking peace, the US is pushing the world toward human-made disasters. Wars are no longer a solution, it is peace, which is desired by humanity. Voice should be raised against the promotion of nuclear weapons and try best to keep the region nuclear-free as much as possible. The existing level of nuclear weapons may be reduced, or at least, should not be promoted. We all have the responsibility to protect this world, which we all share. Disaster in any part of the world may also have an adverse impact on other parts of the world. We must prevent any misadventure anywhere, any time.
Author: Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan – Sinologist (ex-Diplomat), Editor, Analyst, Non-Resident Fellow of CCG (Center for China and Globalization), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan.
(The views expressed in this article are only of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of World Geostrategic Insights).