The Greens senator David Shoebridge called the prime minister’s claim that no Australian personnel were involved in offensive action “extraordinary” and said it was inevitable that Australian personnel would be involved in US action.
“This makes Australia obviously, clearly, unambiguously, part of an illegal war, part of a war that is breaking down the norms of international law and making the world a less safe place,” he said.
“It is as sure as day follows night that Australians throughout the US military are actively involved, part of the United States and Israel’s illegal war in Iran.” … According to the Royal Australian Navy, one in 10 crew members onboard US Navy attack submarines is Australian.
1 in 10 is a lot!
I get he’s trying to make a point that Australia doesn’t want to be on the wrong side of history here, but I’m always confused by the term “illegal war”
Like would killing civilians like the US did for nearly 30 years in the Middle East be better just because a bunch of old dudes were guided into a fancy room by aides and mumbled to each other before signing a piece of paper that says it’s legal?
Yeah i agree - states are institutions dedicated to violence. Whether or not they did some arcane legal rituals before murdering iranians and americans is hardly the point.
But i do think it matters to show that the state is lying when it claims to use violence legitimately. It doesn’t even adher to its own made up rules.
And it matters that their violence is so unpopular that they can’t even let a body as unrepresentative as the US congress get a say.
Don’t confuse legality with morality
sigh
motherfuckinggoddamnit
Huh, I wonder what this means for international law? Who am I kidding that doesn’t apply to the US government.
You are absolutely right, although it has had the effect that not a single NATO ally has backed USA in this war, and all are pointing to the fact that it is illegal.
Let’s remember Australia was supposed to buy French submarines but backed out of the contract in 2021. That’s why they have sailors on US submarines now. They decided to tie themselves to US war machine couple of years ago and those are the consequences.
Good grief. Bloody AUKUS. Curse Scomo for signing us up to that rubbish.
