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A geoeconomic alliance: The potential and limits of economic statecraft | U.S. Studies Center - Sydney |

  • This report examines the potential and limits of geoeconomic statecraft in the context of the Australia-US alliance.

  • A shift in alliance strategy towards China, from engagement to strategic rivalry and competition, has reframed international and domestic economic policy settings in light of the security concerns presented by China's growing power and influence.

  • China's use of geoeconomic policy instruments has become a major concern for Australian policymakers. However, its use of economic statecraft has mostly been counter-productive in advancing its geopolitical interests.

  • Australia and the United States have increased cooperation in some geoeconomic policy areas -- most notably in relation to defence industry, technology and critical minerals -- but geoeconomics remains an underdeveloped element of the alliance relationship, reflecting its foundations in a security treaty that is silent on economic issues.

Introduction

    Nothing would better promote America's geoeconomic agenda and strategic future than robust economic growth in the United States.

    ...foreign trade enhances the potential military force of a country.

    International economic exchange is one of the most spectacularly successful examples of international influence in history; yet it is rarely so described. Why? Because routine, mundane, day-to-day economic exchange is often defined as either not involving power or not being `real' foreign policy.

Policy issues at the intersection of international security and international economics loom increasingly large for Australian and US policymakers. Geoeconomic statecraft is the use of economic policy instruments to further geopolitical, foreign policy and security objectives. A shift in alliance strategy towards China, from engagement to strategic rivalry and competition, has reframed international and domestic economic policy settings in light of the security concerns presented by China's growing power and influence.



'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Mon Mar 21st, 2022 at 08:40:34 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Below is a Xinhuanet posting that describes the nuance to China's position on Ukraine

"
HEFEI, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Sunday that the Ukraine crisis is developing in a way that goes beyond itself, with spillovers affecting the whole world, and in this regard, the majority of countries in the world, including China and other developing countries, share reasonable concerns and hold similar positions.

Wang made the remarks at a press briefing after holding talks with Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra in Tunxi, east China's Anhui Province.

Wang told the press that after exchanging views with many foreign ministers from Asian or African countries, he felt that many countries, like China, are following closely the developments of the Ukraine crisis, and share a lot of common language.

"We all believe that the purposes and principles of the UN Charter should be observed, international disputes should be resolved peacefully, and the parties concerned should realize ceasefire and put an end to the war as quickly as possible," he said.

Noting that during discussions at the UN General Assembly on the Ukraine issue, China, Algeria and quite a number of countries abstained in the voting, Wang said abstention is also an attitude. It is to give peace a chance and shows disapproval of using war and sanctions to address disputes, and it is a responsible attitude.

"At the same time, we are of the view that the Ukraine issue has not come to this point by accident. It is the result of the confluence of various factors and an eruption of the tensions that have built up over the years," said Wang, adding that what lies at the heart is the issue of European security, and Nato's move of expanding eastward without limit merits reflection.

He said that from the longer-term perspective, parties in Europe should follow the principle of indivisible security and, based on respecting each other's legitimate concerns, pursue dialogue and negotiation to build a balanced, effective and sustainable regional security architecture.

"First, it is widely believed that when addressing regional and international hotspot issues, war and sanctions are not the only options, and dialogue and negotiation is the fundamental way out," said Wang, adding that the current circumstances make it more important to stick to this direction.

"Second, the momentum of world economic recovery should not be disrupted," said Wang, adding that in the context of the ongoing pandemic, escalating unilateral sanctions will fracture the global industrial and supply chains and hurt the livelihood of people of all countries, who have no responsibility for paying for geopolitical conflicts and major-country competition.

Third, all countries have the right to independently decide their external policies, and should not be forced to choose sides, Wang said.

He added that when dealing with complex issues and divergent views, one should not opt for the simplistic approach of "friend or foe" and "black or white." It is particularly important to resist Cold War mentality and oppose bloc confrontation.

"Fourth, the sovereign independence and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected at all times. This principle applies to all countries and regions. There should be no exception, still less double standards," Wang said.

During the press conference, Wang also put forward China's position on Africa-related issues.

Noting the ongoing Ukraine crisis, Wang stressed that the world is very big and there are many problems. The African continent in particular should not be forgotten and should no longer be marginalized, still less a victim.

"The more turbulent the international situation is, the more we must pay attention to the voice of African countries and increase our support and assistance to Africa," he said.

Wang said as a good brother of African countries, China will continue to stand with Africa, firmly support Africa in maintaining peace and security, firmly support Africa in achieving economic recovery, firmly support Africa in defending its legitimate rights and interests, and make due contributions to Africa's independence and sustainable development.
"

by Tom2 on Mon Mar 21st, 2022 at 09:38:44 AM EST
[ Parent ]
The Great Reset by Klaus Schwab

A Book Review ...

Covid-19 Pandemic: The Great Reset - A Review

I also know that the world never stands still and that changes are every day, but my association with The Great Reset has actually always been related to Das Dritte Reich, which Adolf Hitler once wanted to create. He even wanted a world war for that and bombed Jews to become the scapegoat. Whether that was intentional or a coincidence, I don't really know, but in retrospect, designating a relatively small group of people as scapegoats is a smart strategy to get the rest of the population on your side.

    Enlightened leadership. Some leaders and decision-makers who were already at the forefront of the fight against climate change may want to take advantage of the shock inflicted by the pandemic to implement long-lasting and wider environmental changes. They will, in effect, make "good use" of the pandemic by not letting the crisis go to waste.

The Great Reset is a plan that has been bubbling up among the world's leaders for some time. My idea is that on the one hand they see their money and power continue to grow, but on the other hand a group of people is awakening who desperately longs for a simpler life, in balance with nature. The rise of mindfulness, health stores, yoga schools and hippie trips to Ibiza and other places are examples of this.

Utopia will not happen this century. Once again the coal lobby and power of fossil fuel corporations took the lead and preferred a war on the European continent ... Ukraine as willing sacrificial lamb.

V. Nazi Germany, Appeasement, and Anglo-American Big Business, 1933-1941

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Tue Mar 22nd, 2022 at 06:33:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]
If only the war was played in a digital theater

Dan Cohen reveals the network of foreign strategists, Washington DC lobbyists, and intelligence-linked media outlets behind Ukraine's public relations blitz.

Ukraine's Propaganda War: International PR Firms, DC Lobbyists and CIA Cutouts | MintPress |

To bolster the perception of Ukrainian military mettle, Kiev has churned out a steady stream of sophisticated propaganda aimed at stirring public and official support from Western countries.

The campaign includes language guides, key messages, and hundreds of propaganda posters, some of which contain fascist imagery and even praise Neo-Nazi leaders.

Behind Ukraine's public relations effort is an army of foreign political strategists, Washington DC lobbyists, and a network of intelligence-linked media outlets.
Ukraine's propaganda strategy earned it praise from a NATO commander who told the Washington Post, "They are really excellent in stratcom -- media, info ops, and also psy-ops." The Post ultimately conceded that "Western officials say that while they cannot independently verify much of the information that Kyiv puts out about the evolving battlefield situation, including casualty figures for both sides, it nonetheless represents highly effective stratcom."

Key to the propaganda effort is an international legion of public relations firms working directly with Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to wage information warfare.

According to the industry news site PRWeek, the initiative was launched by an anonymous figure who allegedly founded a Ukraine-based public relations firm.

"From the first hour of war, we decided to join the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to help them distribute the official sources to show the truth," the nameless figure told PRWeek. "This is a hybrid war: the mix of bloodily struggling fight with a huge disinformation and fake campaign lead by Russia [sic]."

According to the anonymous figure, more than 150 public relations firms have joined the propaganda blitz.

Via MofA: "Try to scare Putin with the same fate as Gaddafi, Milosevic, and Hussein who were all demonized and later murdered."

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Thu Apr 7th, 2022 at 09:46:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

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