Erik Paul - Will our Alliances Protect Us?

SUMMARY:
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I’m excited to share this powerful opening talk from Dr Eric Paul of the University of Sydney. He kicks off the panel by asking the simple but crucial questions: who do we mean by “we”, what do we mean by “protection”, and what threats are we actually facing? Focusing on the Australia–US military alliance, Eric argues it is more adventurous than protective — entangling Australia in US hegemonic ambitions that are increasingly unsustainable. He highlights mounting domestic strains in the United States, overstretched resources and fiscal pressures that undermine the idea of long‑term US dominance, and points out that great powers inevitably face challenges that can destabilise their foreign commitments. For Australia, that means the risk of being drawn into conflicts that harm our security and prosperity. Dr Paul’s approach is clear-eyed and evidence-driven: clarify the threat, interrogate which alliances truly serve our interests, and consider alternative regional strategies that might better safeguard Australia. This talk is a must-watch for anyone interested in defence, foreign policy and Australia’s place in the Asia–Pacific.

RUMBLE DESCRIPTION:
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A thought-provoking opening from our panel night: Dr Eric Paul (University of Sydney) steps up to ask a set of deceptively simple questions — who is “we”, what does “protect” mean, and protect from what? In this recorded talk Eric carefully unpacks those basics before zeroing in on the Australia–US military alliance. His central claim is blunt: the alliance as currently configured is more adventurous than it is protective, and that should worry every Australian.

Eric takes us through the big picture — US hegemonic aims, growing ambitions to dominate global affairs, and the practical limits of that project. He highlights serious domestic stresses in the United States (political instability, fiscal strain, overstretched resources) and notes that great powers are routinely challenged. That combination, he argues, makes continued US global dominance unlikely and risky for partners that hitch their security to Washington’s strategic agenda.

What does that mean for Australia? Eric warns of being drawn into conflicts not of our making, weakened security outcomes and compromised prosperity. He challenges us to rethink assumptions: clarify the nature of threats, examine which alliances actually serve Australian interests, and explore regional strategies better suited to our context in the Asia–Pacific.

If you’re interested in Australian foreign policy, defence, peace studies or regional security, this talk offers clear, evidence‑based critique and plenty to debate. Watch, share and let us know your take: do our alliances protect us — or expose us? Drop your thoughts in the comments, subscribe for more panel videos and share this with anyone following Australia’s place in the region.

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