The Brand New AUKUS Alliance Benefits Both the U.S. and Australia

The U.S., UK and Australia are setting up such a  trilateral security partnership aimed at confronting China, which will include helping Australia to build nuclear-powered submarines. The transfer of Washington’s most sensitive undersea technologies constitutes the most significant upgrade in defense cooperation between the two countries since the first Australian-United States Joint Facilities commenced operation in Pine Gap more than 50 years ago. For Australia the benefits are apparent. It will join six other countries, globally, that operate nuclear-powered submarines, and it will be the only one to do so without also possessing nuclear weapons. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison…