- by William Briggs
- The Guardian
- Issue #2107
International ships participating in the 2018 RIMPAC exercise moor at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. Photo: US Navy, Arthurgwain L Marquez – flickr.com (CC BY 2.0)
The US-sponsored ‘Rim of the Pacific’ (RIMPAC) military exercises have just begun. This show of naval force is the world’s largest. Vice Admiral John Wade, commander of the US 3rd Fleet, and RIMPAC 2024 Combined Task Force commander described the month-long event as a contribution to peace and stability. Following the twisted, ‘newspeak’ logic he explained that the purpose of the exercise is to “build relationships, to enhance interoperability and proficiency and, ultimately, contribute to the peace and stability in the vitally-important Indo-Pacific region.”
In what can only be seen as an action designed to further raise international tension, Israel is a participant nation. Why Israel is engaging in military exercises in the Pacific Rim defies any logical answer. The Israeli military have declined to make any comment as to what its level of participation will be, but it immediately drew the ire of many in the region. In particular, there have been strong representations to the government of Malaysia to withdraw.
Twenty-nine nations have come together, “in the name of enhancing peace.” Forty naval ships, three submarines, land forces from 14 countries and over 25,000 personnel are engaged. RIMPAC is staged every two years. This is the first that has focused on China as an ‘adversary.’
In happier days, until the Obama-led Pivot to Asia set the course for open hostility, China had taken part in these exercises. That ended abruptly. Markus Garlauskas, director of the Indo-Pacific Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council outlined why China, in the eyes of the US and its allies is the undisputed enemy. China has had the audacity to develop defensive capabilities against a threat from the USA. This, in Garlauskas’ view was evidence of Beijing ramping up “its aggressive behaviour, building and militarising more artificial islands in international waters, conducting aggressive manoeuvres around Taiwan in recent months and pummelling Philippine ships with water cannons in recent days.”
INTIMIDATION
According to officials, the month-long exercise is designed in part to “send a strong message” to China. To make that ‘message’ unambiguous, the US navy will be bringing the decommissioned assault ship USS Tarawa. This ship will be hit by missiles and sunk, thereby testing US capacity to destroy Chinese ships that are of comparable size and capacity. The Tarawa is a 40,000-ton ship, roughly equivalent to a Chinese amphibious assault ship or aircraft carrier. The US Navy knows what its missiles can do. Destroying the Tarawa is not about finding out if a missile strike against a ship will be effective. It is to be used as a display and as an attempt at intimidation.
For their part, the Chinese have been quick to point out that bullying and intimidation was pointless. They also reminded the US and the world that it was only a matter of months ago that the two sides had been speaking of de-escalation of tensions in the region.
In an interview with Global Times, Chinese military analyst Zhang Junshe outlined America’s real intention behind involving so many countries in these exercises. He stressed that it had nothing to do with “safeguarding peace and stability in the region” and everything to do with ensuring that they become further aligned with “this US-led clique and serve the US’ so-called Indo-Pacific Strategy that aims to contain its competitors.”
The Chinese have stated RIMPAC is about “inciting bloc confrontation, [but] such drills will only sabotage, not safeguard, peace, and stability in the region … China will firmly safeguard its national sovereignty, territorial integrity and development interests regardless of Western intimidation.”
The fact that this year’s RIMPAC is the largest yet conducted, seems to vindicate the unease being expressed by Beijing. They have made the point that regardless of how many states are taking part, there is a small rump of nations that remain locked into a dangerous alliance with the USA. Australia, South Korea, Japan, the UK, and Canada remain in lockstep with the US.
WARMONGERS UNSATISFIED
The reaction of some in the military establishment and media in Australia has been rather telling. In particular, Stephen Kuper from the influential Defence Connect organisation, that describes its role as being the “integrated market intelligence platform for Australia’s defence sector” has been scathing about Australia’s low-key attendance. Kuper describes it as a “sorry state of affairs” and “lacklustre.”Australia’s contribution is less than in the past and includes just 320 personnel, a single warship and one P-8A maritime reconnaissance aircraft.
Kuper is critical that not enough hardware is available. He cited Defence Minister Marles to drive home his warmongering point: “Our national security and our national prosperity are based on a stable peaceful region where the global rules-based order is pre-eminent and respected. Indeed, the rules of the road at sea are everything for us. When the rules-based order is under pressure, Australia is under pressure.”
Australia’s military budget will be increased from $50 billion to $100 billion. It’s clearly not enough for such hawks.
Kuper claims that Australia has a “declining capacity to defend itself both independently and in concert with our regional and global partners … As events continue to unfold throughout the region and China continues to throw its economic, political, and strategic weight around, can Australia afford to remain a secondary power, or does it need to embrace a larger, more independent role in an era of increasing great power competition?”
China has one military base outside its borders. The USA has about 800.
An economically crippling military budget of $100 billion a year is clearly not enough for Defence Connect. The madness of an allegiance with the USA and its clear intention of provoking conflict with China is not enough to satisfy such as Kuper.
Who are Defence Connect?
While Defence Connect is not a direct spruiker for funding, it works with a range of organisations, both business and defence government and civil to focus attention on supporting military capabilities. Defence Connect calls itself: “Geared for tomorrow’s defence industry, Defence Connect represents an ambitious new approach that supports the evolving defence sector as it responds to the challenges posed by expanding domains of warfare as well as traditional threats.”
It also acts as a kind of defence LinkedIn, with listings of military jobs.
