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2 August 2023
Trump charged but alliance energised
By Victoria Cooper, Research Editor
Despite renewed turmoil in the United States over former President Donald Trump's third indictment today, the 33rd annual Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) hosted in Brisbane last weekend confirm the Australia-US alliance has never been stronger.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister Richard Marles, promised to deepen Australia-US defence and security cooperation in new ways, seeing several key announcements:
- New missile agreement | Washington will fast-track the licensing of US intellectual property to boost Australia’s domestic production of guided missiles.
- Deepened intelligence sharing | In a newly established 'Combined Intelligence Centre – Australia', American intelligence analysts will join Australia’s Defence Intelligence Organisation in Canberra from next year.
- Base upgrades | Upgrades to Australia’s northern bases – RAAF airfields at Darwin and Tindal – will continue and there were new commitments to scoping additional upgrades at two more locations – RAAF Scherger and Curtin – to accommodate new capabilities, delivering on a topline recommendation from the Defence Strategic Review.
- US force rotations | US military presence in Australia will grow to a scale not seen since the Second World War, including an increased and more regular tempo of Perth port visits by US nuclear-powered submarines.
As the final leg in a US diplomatic blitz around the Pacific, and amid new Australian defence ties with Japan and South Korea, this year's AUSMIN is yet another sign that both countries intend to work more closely with each other, and allies and partners in the region, on areas of mutual interest to contribute to greater regional stability and deterrence. Read the full 2023 AUSMIN Joint Statement.
NEWS WRAP
Trump's third indictment
- Historic third Trump indictment | For the third time, former President Donald was indicted, this time on four federal criminal charges relating to his role in efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Trump’s supporters insist the charges are a distraction from investigations into President Biden’s son and amount to electoral interference. READ MORE HERE
- Tragedy at Talisman Sabre | Four Australian aircrew members participating in the multinational military exercise Talisman Sabre died when their MRH-90 Taipan helicopter crashed off the coast of Queensland. The incident renewed longstanding safety concerns associated with the aircraft and offered a reminder of the risks of military service. READ MORE HERE
- McConnell freezes | Concerns for the age and fitness of senior US politicians re-emerged when Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, 81, suddenly froze at the podium of a press conference last week. McConnell insisted that he was “fine” and returned to the press conference shortly after. READ MORE HERE
- New government shutdown fears | The possibilities of a US government shutdown once again loom large with only one of the 12 must-pass annual appropriations bills passing the US House before the August recess. Members of the far-right House Freedom Caucus appear determined to hold Speaker Kevin McCarthy to account on strict non-defence spending limits, displeased with concessions made to avoid a shutdown in May. READ MORE HERE
To save Save America, save money | Donald Trump’s Save America PAC appears in financial stress, after footing the bills of the former president’s increasing legal woes. After a US$60 million donation from Save America PAC to Trump’s presidential campaign war chest – Make America Great Again Inc. – funds were incrementally refunded to spend on legal fees, marking the largest ever refund in federal campaign finance history. READ MORE HERE
“We want a region and a world which is peaceful, stable and prosperous and we understand the importance of working closely with you to ensure that it is.”
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken | 28 July 2023
EVENT
The GOP debate breakdown: What just happened?
In late August, Republican presidential candidates will gather in Milwaukee for the biggest event of the 2024 election cycle so far: the first Republican presidential debate. With the power to make or break the candidates jockeying to stand out in the crowded GOP field, the first debate is a critical step in deciding who will ultimately face off against likely Democratic nominee Joe Biden in the 2024 presidential election. While the stage may be set, much remains unknown.
Mere hours after the Republican debate, the United States Studies Centre (USSC) invites you to a public forum featuring USSC politics experts Associate Professor David Smith, Senior Lecturer Dr Gorana Grgic and Research Editor Victoria Cooper in conversation with Director of Research Jared Mondschein.
TYPE
Public forum
WHERE
Level 5 Function Room, The Michael Spence Building (F23) Corner of Eastern Avenue and City Road, The University of Sydney Camperdown NSW 2006
WHEN
SYDNEY | Wednesday, 24 August 2023, 6.00pm-7.30pm
COST
Free, but registration is essential
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Did you USSC?
- Podcast | Inside the NATO Vilnius Summit
In the latest episode of USSC Briefing Room, senior lecturer in US politics and foreign policy Dr Gorana Grgic gives a readout on the NATO Vilnius Summit after attending this year's meeting. LISTEN TO THE EPISODE
- Report | Standardisation, trust and democratic principles: The global race to regulate artificial intelligence
The race to regulate artificial intelligence is a key aspect of strategic competition as major powers seek to export value systems through the technical standards they promote. This report details the global regulatory frameworks and possible pathways for Australia's engagement in AI regulation. DOWNLOAD HERE
- Commentary | To corvette or to not corvette: The Defence Strategic Review and the Tier 2 surface combatant
Professor Peter Dean, USSC's Director of Foreign Policy and Defence, evaluates the numerous options for Tier 2 surface combatants in light of Australia's Defence Strategic Review in The Strategist.
BY THE NUMBERS
Indictment unlikely to erode Trump support
President Donald Trump was indicted for an unprecedented third time on Tuesday 1 August following a federal investigation into the former president’s alleged attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. With Trump expected to appear in Washington DC on Thursday for his first appearance before a magistrate judge, the ensuing case will add yet another complication to Trump’s 2024 campaign schedule and finances, as he continues to juggle his defence in these, now five, legal cases with his presidential aspirations.
Some may think the suite of serious criminal allegations facing Donald Trump present an opening for other Republican hopefuls to prise away needed support for their own bids at the Republican nomination. However, as the New York Times/ Siena poll released this week revealed, Donald Trump’s lead over the other candidates in the Republican primary race only seems to grow.
The former president has seized the support of 54 per cent of Republican primary voters, and a landslide 37-point lead over the next closest candidate, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. No candidate with a lead of such a margin has gone on to lose their party nomination in the last 50 years.
The latest indictment is unlikely to erode this lead. The poll showed a vast majority (71 per cent) of Republican primary voters believe that Trump is not guilty of serious federal crimes. Of that number, the majority (56 per cent) believe not only were Trump's actions not criminal, but that he “did nothing wrong” in his handling of classified documents.
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United States Studies Centre
Institute Building H03
University of Sydney NSW 2006
