Aukus Alliance Causes Turmoil
Earlier this month, the U.S. announced a new security pact between the United Kingdom and Australia which will result in the building of eight nuclear-powered submarines.
The agreement known as Aukus will end a 2016 40-billion-dollar deal in which Australia agreed to have France build a dozen diesel electric-powered submarines. Almost immediately France denounced the decision and recalled its ambassadors to the U.S. and Australia as a sign of diplomatic protest for what it considers to be a betrayal by its allies.
Why is France upset with the Aukus alliance?
INSTRUCTORS: click the link below to download this week’s lecture for use in your classroom. The deck contains a writing prompt and a debate question as well as other assessment questions.
Videos:
News Articles:
Biden’s apparent indifference to AUKUS deal’s impact on France fueling fury, experts say
NBC News
September 17, 2021 https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/biden-s-apparent-indifference-aukus-deal-s-impact-france-fueling-n1279448
What is the Aukus alliance and what are its implications?
The Guardian
September 16, 2021 https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/sep/16/what-is-the-aukus-alliance-and-what-are-its-implications
What does the new AUKUS alliance mean for global relations?
The New Statesman
September 16, 2021 https://www.newstatesman.com/security/2021/09/what-is-the-aukus-alliance
France denies quitting trade talks with Australia over AUKUS row
euronews
September 20, 2021 https://www.euronews.com/2021/09/20/negotiations-continue-france-denies-eu-pullout-in-trade-talks-with-australia
News Articles (Analysis)
AUKUS pocus, China focus
Politico
September 15, 2021 https://www.politico.com/newsletters/national-security-daily/2021/09/15/auukus-pocus-china-focus-494341
Aukus: France pulls out of UK defence talks amid row
BBC
September 20, 2021 https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-58620220
Aukus leaves some awkward questions
Financial Times
September 17, 2021 https://www.ft.com/content/e2a094ad-5c4f-4ff5-9bcd-ae5d45392f4e
Australia’s decades-long balancing act between the US and China is over. It chose Washington
CNN
September 17, 2021 https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/16/australia/australia-china-us-aukus-submarine-intl-hnk/index.html
Assessment:
Writing: What is the Aukus alliance?
Debate: How will the Aukus alliance impact relations with China?
Poll: Should the U.S. establish security alliances with other countries?
Short Answer: What is the geopolitical significance of Aukus?
Quiz:
The Aukus security agreement has created friction between the U.S. and France. (T/F)
Under the Aukus pact, the U.S. will share intelligence and information with the UK and Austria. (T/F)
The U.S. views China as a threat to stability in the Indo-Pacific . (T/F)
Which of the following types of information will be shared among the Aukus countries?
a. Short-range strike capabilities.
b. Teleporting.
c. Artificial intelligence.
d. Long-range spacecrafts.
What is the justification for Aukus?
a. To help counter Chinese power.
b.To slow down French economic growth.
c.To reduce tensions and support diplomacy.
d. To form alliances with European countries.
All the following are consequential of the Aukus deal EXCEPT.
a.Economic impact it will have on France.
b.Trade between Australia and China.
c. Environmental concerns regarding nuclear waste. .
d. The security of the Indo-Pacific region.
