Planning Democracy Report No.46 - December 14, 2024

On what, in maths calculus, could be called the first derivative, Jennings, Kilcullen and Pezzullo write forcefully on defence and China (The Australian 11-12/1 and Letters 13/1). But the second derivative is selling China our iron ore, critical minerals and energy, that has made us rich, and allowed China to keep building a massive and high tech defence force. Is the steel in their nuclear subs made from BHP, or Rio, or Fortescue, or Rinehart iron ore? And the third derivative is our "export" of rubbish degrees and passports to young Chinese.  If a war over Taiwan starts in 2028-29, there will be 2.5 to 3 million Chinese students living in Sydney and Melbourne, with our political class determined to keep them here forever. Singapore can do nuance, but I'm afraid nuance evades us.