Chinese P.L.A. Navy ship Hengyang in Tasman Sea, 2025 (Australian Defence Force). Days after China fired the first of two missiles into the south Pacific, the fallout continues. It is the first time that I am aware of any nation deliberately test firing missiles in this part of the world. It follows an earlier incident … Continue reading China’s very unwelcome missile testing in south Pacific
Where to for N.Z-U.S. relations on America’s 250th Birthday?
Independence Day, 04 July 1776 (ChatG.P.T.) America turns 250 today (U.S. time). On a day which normally invokes the most overt celebrations of all things American, what it means to be American, Independence Day means different things to the 330 million people who have the legal right to call themselves Americans. Most will probably celebrate … Continue reading Where to for N.Z-U.S. relations on America’s 250th Birthday?
N.Z. Defence Force spending priorities in 2026: My take
An R.N.Z.A.F. 757-200 in 2024. These are due for replacement (R. Glennie) It is generally recommended that O.E.C.D. countries spend about 2% of the G.D.P. on defence. According to World Bank data, O.E.C.D. expenditure as a percentage of G.D.P. ranges from Israel spending 8.8% to Ireland, which spends 0.2% of its G.D.P. on its military … Continue reading N.Z. Defence Force spending priorities in 2026: My take
Defence spending increases; no change in nuclear free Aotearoa
H.M.N.Z.S Te Mana during Operation Crucible, 2022 (Source: N.Z.D.F.) The fiscal budget last week announced a significant - and long expected - increase in defence spending. It is one that I for a change, approve of as I have long viewed New Zealand as under-investing in the New Zealand Defence Force. What came as a … Continue reading Defence spending increases; no change in nuclear free Aotearoa
New Zealand’s prospects if we have W.W.3
The chart of the Doomsday Clock since its inception in 1947. This was made before the 2026 adjustment to 85 seconds to midnight (Wikipedia). In 1947, noting the accelerating post-W.W.2. arms race between the U.S.S.R. and the western world, the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists was established. Then, before climate change registered as a potential problem, … Continue reading New Zealand’s prospects if we have W.W.3