"Our state of preparedness is inadequate, our defense expenditure unworthy of a wealthy people that has accepted onerous treaty obligations, and the administration of defense at the top levels of government is weak and too loosely coordinated." So said a group of Australian experts in a recent military study. In a modest way, Australia is try ing to do something about it.
A detachment of army engineers last week embarked for Borneo to build landing strips as part of a plan to help Malaysia in its "confrontation" with hostile Indonesia. Australia also agreed to a U.S. request for more...