The March 13 Biden-Albanese-Sunak summit in San Diego to demonstrate alliance solidarity and to sign the multi-billion AUKUS (Australia, United Kingdom, US) nuclear submarine deal accelerated the pace of the U.S. and China sleepwalking toward catastrophic war.

Compounding the dangers that came with the creation of the alliance in 2021 as part of the Biden Administration’s Indo-Pacific military buildup, the new deal also adds to the mountain of obstacles blocking the way to the U.S.-Chinese cooperation that is essential if the climate emergency is to be reversed, the world’s nuclear arms races stanched, and if the planet’s two most technologically advanced nations are to collaborate to prevent pandemics and discover cancer cures.

Australian peace activists, political leaders and others, including peace movements across the Indo-Pacific, are rallying to oppose the AUKUS alliance and the nuclear submarine program.

Dr. Hannah Middleton is a longtime peace and justice activist and national spokesperson of the Australian Anti-Bases Campaign Coalition (AABCC).  The AABCC is a national coalition of Australian organisations which researches, produces information about and campaigns against the foreign military installations (primarily the 30 United States bases) on Australian soil.

Richard Tanter is Senior Research Associate at the Nautilus Institute, and Honorary Professor in the School of Political and Social Sciences at the University of Melbourne.

Ting Huang is MAPA’s Communications Specialist.  She is Chinese-Australian and is currently based in Somerville, MA.

Lisa Linda Natividad is a Professor of social work and CHamoru studies at the University of Guam.  She is currently serving in the capacity of Administrator for I Kumisión I Fino’ CHamoru and is the founder of the Guahan Coalition for Peace and Justice. She is currently on the boards of the International Peace Bureau and the International Network of Women Against Militarism. She has spoken globally on the decolonization and demilitarization of her home island, Guahan.  She lives in the village of Inålahan with her son, Åtdao.

Marcus Breen, our moderator, is Assistant Professor of the Practice, Director of the Media Lab at Boston College’s Department of Communication.   Born in Melbourne, he is a member of MAPA’s No Cold War Working Group.

Initiated by Massachusetts Peace Action, Co-sponsored by the Campaign for Peace, Disarmament and Common Security and CodePink.  Register to attend.

Photo: Australia agreed to purchase four Virginia-class submarines similar to the USS Indiana, pictured at Groton, Connecticut, September 25, 2020. (U.S. Navy Photo by John Narewski)