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Episode 131 episode artwork

Mar 16, 2026 19 min

Episode 131

from Asia Pacific Defence Reporter

We discuss the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and Australia's reasons for jumping in so quickly in support of the US. But first some words on yet another assault on transparency by the government scrapping the ANAO's annual review of major Defence projects. Ministers Marles and Conroy will be delighted that an important source of scrutiny has been removed - as will the Defence bureaucracy. As for sending a Wedgetail and AMRAAMs to the UAE, it looks like the government was spooked by a 1am Truth Social post by President $Trump - this move by an Australian Prime Minister previously proud of the ALP's 2003 decision not to support the US invasion of Iraq. As for the current air campaign against Iran - it could get much worse and it's not at all clear that the government has thought this through.

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Episode 131

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This episode was published on March 16, 2026.

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