Danger Signals !

In the last half of the twentieth century it was overwhelmingly clear that the United States was the most advanced military power in the world.  Neither Russia or China could convincingly expect to win a shooting war with the United States and the nuclear option simply offered mutual annihilation. For that reason we had an uneasy peace between these main powers with proxy skirmishes taking place on the sidelines.

It is evident that in todays world one of the great advantages of the democratic system is being used against us.  We cherish the right to say or print without any form of censorship and this very medium is being used to create social disharmony.  The enemies that can not defeat the west in a military confrontation seek to destroy our society from within by a campaign of misinformation that is being agonisingly successful.

Russia has undertaken a state controlled and well financed subversive movement that is guiding public opinion by infiltrating " fake news " through the Facebook and Twittersphere that is designed to achieve desired election results and divide public thinking.  An elaborate network of " bots " sustains the momentum of the divisive subjects introduced.

China is using its network of students studying at foreign universities to exert pressure within host countries and sway public opinion.   Profits from its trading position are being used to finance public works in client states.  Many of these constitute " money traps " and when repayments fail a negotiated settlement often involves ownership of a trading port or an airbase.   The Chinese are cleverly massaging public opinion with the use of these gifts.

This propaganda offensive is a one sided deal.  All forms of media are strictly controlled and censored by the Chinese Communist party and a similar environment is inflicted within Russia. Intimidation and the police ensure that only information cleared by the state reaches the public and any form of opposition is instantly silenced.

In America, one of the outcomes of this disinformation campaign was clearly the election of Donald Trump to presidential office back in 2016.  Trump won office by blatant lies that appealed to his lower classes and his actions in office have appalled both the military and the civilian administrations.  The military response to an external threat would now be subject to doubt about the validity of presidential orders.

But perhaps the biggest threat to American stability is coming from the intrusion of politics into all decisions of the Congress and the Senate.  The custom of decision making across the aisle has vanished and this is most evident in selection of a candidate for the High court.   That has degenerated into an implacable contest between the two main political parties and consequently the courts decisions may swing sharply conservative and that could imperil legislation that is important to a major population segment.

It is quite possible that what the high court hands down may divide the United States into a social division that is little short of a new civil war.  That may stop short of  actual conflict but a divided America could not continue to lead in world affairs and that could result in  a new world order - which would not be to Australia's advantage.

It seems that we live in troubled times  !