On defence spending in the civilised world.
Up until maybe WWI, military force was still considered to be a reasonable and legitimate means of furthering national interests in the western world. Currently military force is considered more appropriate for use in defense of national interests. Except of course, for those who consider the use of military force to be the ultimate evil which can never be justified. But lets keep them out of the discussion for now.
With the breakup of the Soviet Union, the 'west' has really only got China as a semi-rational possible military threat.
Have I mentioned I really don't like that use of the word west in that context. NZ is east of everyone.
Anyway, what the coalition really needs to be prepared for is the crazy folk. People who don't have rational goals or motivation. Or rather, not rational as we would see it.
For example, holding Aussie and/or NZ would be a nightmare. No question there. But for anyone other than China to invade would not be a rational act. That doesn't mean we ignore the possibility, it means we check for signs of irrational behaviour.
Indonesia is an example relevant to this part of the world.
There is a significant level of anti-western, anti-christian, and anti-hindu feeling in the indonesian population. To date, the govt has keep a lid on things by stepping on anyone who stepped too far out of line. East Timor has a large catholic population, and had come to UN notice. And I suspect Helen Clark(our PM) is looking for a senior position in the UN when we finally kick her out of office. Bali has a large hindu population, and lots of westerners. And our efforts to help in the investigations generated a lot of resentment.
Anyway, the govt has been very authoritarian, and kept the more obvious atrocities out of the international media spotlight. In other words, they have been pragmatic and rational.
If any Indonesian govt eased up too quickly, I suspect they would be either overthrown, or find themselves having to run at the front of the mob to hold their positions at all.
With the breakup of the Soviet Union, the 'west' has really only got China as a semi-rational possible military threat.
Have I mentioned I really don't like that use of the word west in that context. NZ is east of everyone.
Anyway, what the coalition really needs to be prepared for is the crazy folk. People who don't have rational goals or motivation. Or rather, not rational as we would see it.
For example, holding Aussie and/or NZ would be a nightmare. No question there. But for anyone other than China to invade would not be a rational act. That doesn't mean we ignore the possibility, it means we check for signs of irrational behaviour.
Indonesia is an example relevant to this part of the world.
There is a significant level of anti-western, anti-christian, and anti-hindu feeling in the indonesian population. To date, the govt has keep a lid on things by stepping on anyone who stepped too far out of line. East Timor has a large catholic population, and had come to UN notice. And I suspect Helen Clark(our PM) is looking for a senior position in the UN when we finally kick her out of office. Bali has a large hindu population, and lots of westerners. And our efforts to help in the investigations generated a lot of resentment.
Anyway, the govt has been very authoritarian, and kept the more obvious atrocities out of the international media spotlight. In other words, they have been pragmatic and rational.
If any Indonesian govt eased up too quickly, I suspect they would be either overthrown, or find themselves having to run at the front of the mob to hold their positions at all.
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