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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Ben Doherty

As Australia becomes more integrated into the US military machine, can it avoid being dragged into war?

Illustration of Aukus submarines and US and Australian flags
Australia’s challenge is finding a way to indicate opposition to ‘or at least discomfort with’ US actions, without provoking Donald Trump, experts say. Illustration: Guardian design

“No stupid rules of engagement, no nation-building quagmire, no democracy-building exercise, no politically correct wars.” This, from the United States’ secretary of war, is the conflict to which Australia now finds itself bound.

It is a war rapidly spiralling out of anyone’s control, escalating in scope and geographic spread. It is one Australia – despite government sophistry – has already been dragged into.

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