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The recent elections in Sweden and Italy, which went towards extremist parties campaigning against immigrants, and the Brazil election where they were narrowly knocked back, are a warning for democracy. Lee Duffield sets about finding psychological causes for what he calls the crop of “off-balance” players, “demagogues” on the right wing. … Read More »
Lee Duffield
The Australian Defence Minister, Melissa Price, on 9 November told the Submarine Association conference in Adelaide that the country’s nuclear-powered submarines would be built in South Australia.
It was one more ingredient thrown into a brewing of questions and contention since the sudden announcement of the nuclear plan, and immediate cancellation of the French contract for conventional submarines on 16 September. … Read More »
Faced with an overseas crisis like the conflict in Ukraine, governments, notably inexperienced ones that might hope to settle every dogfight and desert war, think about a military solution.
The armed forces will comply, but may not be given a clear or realistic task.
This post carries a letter held to be the view of a seasoned soldier, talking among colleagues and friends. … Read More »
Tension and anxiety once again revived over Ukraine, entering the weekend of 26-27.4.14.
Ukrainian forces were moving against armed groups identifying with Russia, remaining in occupation of state buildings in the Donetsk region South-east of Kiev; in defiance of the peace agreement signed a week before; encouraged by mixed and muddled signals from the Russian government. … Read More »
In the course of one week the crisis in Ukraine worsened, with the overthrow of the President, and then, with the intervention of Russian troops, the fear of war. Lee Duffield writes. … Read More »
The Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, has set out to drum up some business through the World Economic Forum at Davos (22-25.1.14) in Switzerland.
Meanwhile the government in Canberra struggles to keep ahead of adverse trends closer to home, in Indonesia and Timor Leste. … Read More »
The death of Nelson Mandela in South Africa, on 5.12.13, brought a thoughtful and respectful response worldwide, in keeping with the well-recognised character of the man.
The former anti-apartheid campaigner who served 27 of his 95 years as a political prisoner, provided moral leadership during the country’s transition from enforced racial segregation, and minority rule, to a system of democratic government. … Read More »