US plans to deploy B-52 bombers to northern Australia: Report
Al JazeeraDec 23, 2022
Report: US Air Force to Deploy Nuclear Capable B-52s to Australia
Image copyright: US Air Force [via Reuters]
The Facts
On Monday, the Australian Broadcast Corporation's Four Corners program reported that the US is planning to deploy up to six nuclear-capable B-52 bombers to the Royal Australian Air Force's Tindal base.
This comes as the region has become a crucial defense hub for the US, which has reportedly committed to spending $1B to upgrade its military assets there as tensions with China mount.
The Spin
Anti-China narrative
As China threatens to invade Taiwan, the deepening of US-Australia military ties is sensible to dissuade Beijing from such a reckless move. The best way to avoid a war isn't to indicate that Australia would be out of a possible conflict zone, but to present a united front against PRC aggression.
Pro-China narrative
Australia must understand that Beijing will not make the slightest concession concerning its core interests, especially involving Taiwan. Friendly relations with China would be more in line with the actual interests of Australia — Canberra will only hurt itself by becoming a US geopolitical pawn.