To prepare for a potential war over Taiwan, the U.S is increasing its military presence in Australia to a level not seen since World War 2. Taiwan is regarded by China as part of its territory and Beijing has vowed to take control of the island by force if necessary. What advantages does Australia’s geography offer the U.S. in a potential fight in the Asia-Pacific region?

WSJ looks at why Australia is becoming a strategic hub for U.S. forces.

Chapters:
0:00 The airbase
0:35 Australia’s strategic location
3:20 Exercises on the ground
4:00 The U.S.’s strategy in Asia Pacific

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29 COMMENTS

  1. Tbh I don't really want another world war… If war should really break out between them it would be good if they sort it out between themselves.. i mean no need to drag in another country

  2. Aussie here – we have had a trade DEFICIT with the USA since the Truman administration (so I guess the "Orange Emperor" will like us – but who knows what he's thinking), but we have ALWAYS had a trade SURPLUS with China, for the best part of a century. Why on earth would the Chinese be so stupid as to attempt anything resembling an amphibious invasion of Australia over tens of 1000s of kms, far from supply & reinforcements, in shallow seas where subs can't hide, against a Navy & Air Force tailor-made for anti-shipping warfare??! This is all about US foreign policy, not Oz's best interests ………

  3. Where is Japan in all this? Japan is a lot closer to Taiwan than the U.S. is. Japan owned Taiwan 1895-1945. If Japan made the necessary national commitment, within 5-10 years it alone can match China in air and sea power. (And frankly in nuclear weapons too.)

  4. Why do people of the world (including the US citizens) think the USA has to be involved militarily in all parts of the world.
    Just a silly belief that the strong military, and the expense of taxpayers makes the world safe.

  5. I understand Aussie don’t like CCP and don’t want Taiwan to be invaded, but China is so far away that you can hardly say China is a military threat to Australia, why prepare yourself a huge military base against China? Will China skip Taiwan, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and directly attack Australia? I am not saying you should sit and pray Winny the Pooh won’t go mad, I am just curious why this way.

  6. No wars have ever fought in US soil always other countries fight for America's war. Australia must be honoured to fight American war in their country. Little Australia will win the US war with China! US could not win a war with Vietnam, Afgan, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Palestine. etc…

  7. The idea that Australia has to follow wherever Putin-supporter Trump leads fills me with horror. America has only its own interests at heart and Trump and the underqualified officials he has employed are more likely than not to eventually crash the place and leave it regarded as diminished and unreliable in eyes of the rest of the world. The idea that we're tied at the hip to America has to be rethought now. It will be painful to cut ourselves loose but America is over and we should keep our self-respect.

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