John Fowler
@jfowlerir.bsky.social
PhD Candidate in the School of Political Science and International Studies at University of Queensland, Australia. I'm researching the role of culture in Australia's approach to disaster relief and the use of the military. Dreadful but enthusiastic golfer.
The report highlights a common mistake, in my view, that analysts make, which is not considering the domestic circumstances that are influencing military spending. These domestic conditions can have a much greater influence than external factors.
www.rand.org/pubs/perspec...
www.rand.org/pubs/perspec...
The Chinese Military's Doubtful Combat Readiness
The People's Liberation Army fields a large and impressive suite of weapons and equipment. However, it remains fundamentally focused on upholding Chinese Communist Party rule—not necessarily preparing...
www.rand.org
February 18, 2025 at 12:57 AM
The report highlights a common mistake, in my view, that analysts make, which is not considering the domestic circumstances that are influencing military spending. These domestic conditions can have a much greater influence than external factors.
www.rand.org/pubs/perspec...
www.rand.org/pubs/perspec...
Not being a legal scholar, I cannot comment on the efficacy and ramifications of giving environmental features legal status, but challenging the history of exploitation within a clearer legal framework seems like a positive step. But who speaks for the mountain?
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
New Zealand's Mount Taranaki gets same legal rights as a person
The aim is to address injustices of colonisation, including confiscating land from local tribes.
www.bbc.com
January 31, 2025 at 2:37 AM
Not being a legal scholar, I cannot comment on the efficacy and ramifications of giving environmental features legal status, but challenging the history of exploitation within a clearer legal framework seems like a positive step. But who speaks for the mountain?
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
A fair point, as long as it's not considered in isolation or as a silver bullet. No point having capabilities that aren't integrated with existing response mechanisms.
Experts warn Australia 'doesn't have tools' to fight large bushfires
With wildfires raging across Los Angeles, focus is turning to how new technologies, including AI, can aid our response to future disasters,. But there are concerns Australia isn't ready to combat fire...
www.abc.net.au
January 19, 2025 at 11:47 PM
A fair point, as long as it's not considered in isolation or as a silver bullet. No point having capabilities that aren't integrated with existing response mechanisms.
One of the more damaging results of inserting party politics into disaster relief. Something we may see more of both in the US and elsewhere in increasingly polarised political systems prone to populist movements.
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Republicans say they want to put conditions on wildfire aid to California
California and other Democratic-controlled states would need to atone for “bad behavior” if they wanted federal assistance, one lawmaker said.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 15, 2025 at 1:39 AM
One of the more damaging results of inserting party politics into disaster relief. Something we may see more of both in the US and elsewhere in increasingly polarised political systems prone to populist movements.
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Is anyone surprised?
Australia violated human rights treaty with Nauru detainees, UN finds
A UN committee finds Australia violated a human rights treaty by detaining a group of asylum seekers, including minors, on Nauru even after they were granted refugee status.
www.abc.net.au
January 9, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Is anyone surprised?
Charting the shift in international positions on this issues against key events in the conflict would be a great exercise. Has anyone seen it done?
December 12, 2024 at 12:02 AM
Charting the shift in international positions on this issues against key events in the conflict would be a great exercise. Has anyone seen it done?