RISS Senior Expert Vladimir Svedentsov comments on a current strategic situation in the Pacific. He focuses on the US efforts to shape new regional alliances, like QUAD and AUKUS.
Summary:
American experts say that the world’s future will be shaped by the political landscape in the Pacific. The current situation is as follows. There are two blocs in the region – Quad and AUKUS. They are both the initiatives of the United States and its allies. The latter one is about constructing nuclear-powered submarines. It is a complicated and expensive project. It is estimated to cost $245 billion, adding $140 billion as additional costs. The project might as well fail because of its high price and a lack of the qualified personnel. Both blocs aim at deterring China from increasing its influence in the region. Some Australian politicians criticize AUKUS. They say that the US only need this project to have a well-established presence in the region and to station military bases.
New Zealand may cooperate with AUKUS in terms of Pillar II in the field of cybersecurity and underwater technology. Australian ex-minister of foreign affairs criticizes this part of AUKUS too. He believes that its main purpose is to encourage member states to join an Asian version of NATO. AUKUS will probably transform into a simple trade deal — Australia will buy Virginia-class submarines. Some Australian politicians bear a Plan B in mind. It implies going back to diesel-electric vessels. Such project is much cheaper and faster to realize.
As for Quad, it is officially concentrated on peaceful initiatives. India in this security dialogue, is viewed as a voicer of the Global South.
The Pacific organizations above include the United States, but there is also a non-American alliance. It is the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). It comprises New Zealand as well. According to RISS Senior Expert Vladimir Svedentsov, the country has its own strategic game with the Pacific Ocean countries. It is concerned that some countries’ landscape is too low and some time they can go under water because of the sea-level rise. New Zealand wants to preserve its influence in the region, especially in Polynesia.
28.10.2024
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Balance of Power in the Pacific Ocean
Summary:
American experts say that the world’s future will be shaped by the political landscape in the Pacific. The current situation is as follows. There are two blocs in the region – Quad and AUKUS. They are both the initiatives of the United States and its allies. The latter one is about constructing nuclear-powered submarines. It is a complicated and expensive project. It is estimated to cost $245 billion, adding $140 billion as additional costs. The project might as well fail because of its high price and a lack of the qualified personnel. Both blocs aim at deterring China from increasing its influence in the region. Some Australian politicians criticize AUKUS. They say that the US only need this project to have a well-established presence in the region and to station military bases.
New Zealand may cooperate with AUKUS in terms of Pillar II in the field of cybersecurity and underwater technology. Australian ex-minister of foreign affairs criticizes this part of AUKUS too. He believes that its main purpose is to encourage member states to join an Asian version of NATO. AUKUS will probably transform into a simple trade deal — Australia will buy Virginia-class submarines. Some Australian politicians bear a Plan B in mind. It implies going back to diesel-electric vessels. Such project is much cheaper and faster to realize.
As for Quad, it is officially concentrated on peaceful initiatives. India in this security dialogue, is viewed as a voicer of the Global South.
The Pacific organizations above include the United States, but there is also a non-American alliance. It is the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). It comprises New Zealand as well. According to RISS Senior Expert Vladimir Svedentsov, the country has its own strategic game with the Pacific Ocean countries. It is concerned that some countries’ landscape is too low and some time they can go under water because of the sea-level rise. New Zealand wants to preserve its influence in the region, especially in Polynesia.