WOW... Ok.... I go to sleep for a couple of hours and here we go - I like that a lot of people have very strong opinions here - and it's great that people stand by them. I myself have learnt a fair whack from this thread.
I recall in the 1980 with the David Lange government (Labour) in NZ and the removal of the ANZUS treaty. This was one of the biggest moments in the history of NZ - litterally becoming an independant so that the big bullies like the US could no longer boss the little guys around. Oh, NZ paid for it with loss of exports, loss of friendships and most of all, NZs closest neighbour and allie, Australia snobbed her big nose at NZ.
Australia was the one devestated by the loss of the treaty, not NZ. And that was because of these close nations to Australia that have the ability to threaten.
NZ said NO to the nuclear powered or nuclear capable warships and declared the country the very first nuclear free country in the world.
NZs army and defence force is small. A navy consisting of Aussie made frigates, an air force consisting of training fighter jets and a 757. And a ground force that is highly capable, but rather small. Hence why only 60 odd SAS troopers were sent to Iraq.
NZs forces are just there to serve as peace keepers.
But why spend millions on defence if you're undefendable?
I believe one political party (not a serious one) said in the event of an imminent invasion we will line our beaches, our shoreline and coastal areas... Not with military, but with our finest beers, wines and spirits. We will party on the beaches and when they arrive, we will offer them our finest brews. No one would attack us then... they'll all be too drunk.
Unfortunately Australia can't share that optimism - what with not having any good beers (haha, just kidding).
So in summary - i understand why Aussie needs/wants the US. But with many western allies, Australia is likely to be well protected - or at least won't go down without a big fight.
As far as Sadam's hanging goes - I have never agreed what he did was remotely correct. He was fanatical. It's dangerous for the minorities (or in this case majorities) when someone like this gets in power. It's great to see a democracy begin to form in a country that has never really had freedom. But with this freedom comes responsibility. And I worry that there isn't that responsibility in the country (Iraq).
And the huge division makes them a weak country with the ever increasing chances of a coup (perhaps not as obvious as what goes on in Fiji, but still possible).
I worry that similar circumstances to Afghanistan will occur. Where the US removed one government and elected the Talibhan so as to stop the advancing Russians. They armed the Talibhan and gave them power. With that power came responsibility and eventually they bit the hand that fed them... A crocodile mentality.
I just hope this doesn't happen again.
I remember in the early 90s after Desert Storm I asked a friend why they just don't assassinate Sadam... his reply was, it's better the devil you know than the one you don't.
Well, now he's gone, and since 9/11 this world really has become a different place. But too me, it hasn't improved, just got more scared!
