The opposition accuses the government of dithering. But it would be a dangerous mission, and there are powerful historical precedents.
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The government’s delay in deciding whether to commit an Australian warship to the Red Sea can be read two ways.
From the government’s perspective, it provides time to assess what Australia can meaningfully contribute, while not taking its strategic eye off the nation’s immediate area of concern in the Asia-Pacific.
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Original URL: https://www.afr.com/policy/foreign-affairs/is-australia-s-delay-on-us-warship-request-dithering-or-prudent-20231218-p5es72