Frank Walker - Will our Alliances Protect Us?

SUMMARY:
------------------------------
I was properly fired up watching Frank Walker’s talk ‘Will Our Alliances Protect Us’. Frank — a seasoned investigative journalist with 37+ years covering defence, conflict and veterans’ affairs — pulls no punches. He walks us through Australia’s long history of fighting other people’s wars, from early colonial conflicts to Vietnam, Afghanistan and beyond, arguing our alliances with Britain and the US have often dragged us in and cost lives. Speaking from his recent research at the Australian War Memorial and drawing on his books (Tiger Man in Vietnam, Ghost Platoon and more), Frank lays out uncomfortable truths about how political decisions, propaganda and dodgy alliances have shaped our military engagements — and how war crimes have been overlooked. It’s gritty, honest and unflinching: a must-watch for anyone who cares about Australia’s defence policy, sovereignty and the real cost of being a junior partner in great-power politics. If you want plain-speaking analysis mixed with lived experience and investigative depth, this talk is for you — and I reckon you’ll walk away thinking differently about our so-called protections.

RUMBLE DESCRIPTION:
-----------------------------------
Righto folks — here’s a cracker of a talk from Frank Walker: veteran journalist, foreign correspondent and author, now freelancing out of Sydney. In ‘Will Our Alliances Protect Us?’ Frank changes his original title and goes straight to the heart of it: how Australia’s long-standing alliances with Britain (and later the US) have repeatedly seen us fight other people’s wars, often with tragic consequences.

Frank takes you on a blunt, richly informed tour — from early colonial campaigns and the Boer War, through Vietnam and Afghanistan, to modern debates about sovereignty and military obedience. He speaks from recent research at the Australian War Memorial and from decades of reporting on defence, terrorism and veterans’ issues. This isn’t comfortable patriotism; it’s tough, investigative analysis that asks whether our alliances really serve Australian interests or simply entangle us in conflicts we shouldn’t be part of.

Trigger warning: frank discussion of war, violence and alleged war crimes. If you’re interested in defence policy, military history, veterans’ welfare or the politics behind deployment decisions, you’ll find this talk essential viewing. Frank also references his books — Tiger Man in Vietnam, Ghost Platoon and more — which dig even deeper into the stories he teases out here. Watch, share, comment and let us know what you think: are our alliances protecting us, or putting us in harm’s way?

⚠️ CONTENT DISCLAIMER ⚠️
The views, opinions, and statements expressed in this video are those of the individual speaker(s) and audience members. They do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or positions of Western Heritage Australia or its affiliates.

This content is presented for educational and informational purposes as well as to facilitate public discourse on important social and political issues. We provide a platform for diverse Australian voices to be heard, to assist the public in forming their own informed opinions.

Western Heritage Australia does not endorse, verify, or take responsibility for the accuracy of statements made by speakers. All claims, statistics, and opinions remain the responsibility of the original speaker. Viewers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult multiple sources when forming opinions on these topics.

This video may contain strong political opinions, controversial viewpoints, strong language, or mature themes. Viewer discretion is advised.