We must establish foreign policy position of strength, respect

In today’s disruptive world of major geopolitical shocks (11-12/1), David Kilcullen, Peter Jennings and Mike Pezzullo all arrive at a similar conclusion. That is the role for Australia should be that of a strong and innovative country that receives diplomatic respect and has influence in building stability and peace in the Pacific region.

However, under the Albanese Labor government, which will potentially have a minority after the election, with the balance of power held by the Greens, this is not possible. Its goal of becoming a renewable energy superpower takes precedence over everything else, resulting in a weak economy, vulnerable defence and a dependency on China for renewables equipment.

Adding to this is a foreign policy being increasingly dictated by the United Nations.

Ron Hobba, Camberwell, Vic

Congratulations to The Australian for publishing in its centre pages the three insightful articles by foreign affairs heavyweights David Kilcullen, Mike Pezzullo and Peter Jennings. They should be mandatory reading for all Australians.

David Kilcullen foresees a multipolar world of competing power blocks, and the technological transformation of warfare with smart, stealthy, fast, dispersed systems defeating large, slow opponents. Mike Pezzullo observes, quoting Hemingway, that “bankruptcy occurs gradually, and then suddenly”, and suggests that this axiom also applies to geopolitical affairs. While today we enjoy a relatively peaceful outlook, it is vital that we be aware of how things could go wrong very rapidly.

Finally, Peter Jennings lists a number of scenarios that should keep all Australians on edge, including a terrorist attack in Australia, a cyber attack crashing our economy, China blockading Taiwan, failure of peace talks in Ukraine and a continuation of the conflict. And finally, Australia’s inability to respond to a serious crisis because of lack of manpower due to our defence force recruitment crisis. Jennings also foresees the possibility of China making diplomatic inroads with our neighbours, that start with policy co-operation, ship visits and possibly ends with permanent military bases. As Jennings then says: “The nightmare scenario for Australia will be to find Chinese missile systems emplaced in locations throughout Melanesia.”

Terence Jessop, Killcare Heights, NSW

Similarities between Albanese and Trudeau

I do not believe that there has been a recent article that would have had as many people nodding their heads in agreement as Bari Weiss’s article on why Trudeau’s brand of progressive liberalism is being rejected all over the world (“The comprehensive failure of Justin Trudeau”, 11/1). Australia has had weak leadership under Albo since 2022, a relatively short time compared to Trudeau’s long stint as Prime Minister since 2015.

However, we have already seen a deterioration in our economy and mismanagement of taxpayer money, increased anti-Semitism, poor decisions and policies with regard to immigration, lowering of tertiary education standards and problems on university campuses. Australia is fortunate that we can learn from Canada and other countries’ mistakes.

As Bari Weiss pointed out, opposing the “old consensus” publicly leads to being labelled a bigot, being treated as a pariah, but as evident in Trudeau’s popularity ratings and the US elections, it is clearly how the majority are feeling and anonymously voting.

Corine Haber, Caulfield, Vic

Climate change or natural phenomena?

California has made mistakes in trying to restrict insurance premiums on property (“Blazes add to state’s insurance crisis”, 11/1).

Up until recently, insurers were not allowed to base premiums on forecasts of losses from future wildfires, rather than only historic damage. This caused many American insurance companies to reduce their exposure to the California market, because they know that wildfires will become more frequent. In Australia, we also face worse and worse bushfire seasons, due to climate change.

This is one reason why insurance premiums are rising here. The cost to people and businesses will continue to rise, unless California, Australia and everywhere else takes serious action to reduce carbon emissions.

John Hughes, Mentone, Vic

To attribute cause or blame for the catastrophic LA fires all depends on at which altar you worship. Now it seems the climate change mantra is the current favourite, just pipping government incompetence at managing essential services. In the past it was probably seen as a message from above.

Natural phenomena and complacency barely rate.

Terry Walmsley, Benowa, Qld