US and Australia maintain security cooperation despite war crime allegations, says embassy review
The United States has ended a bilateral training review with Australia and found no need to suspend security cooperation despite allegations of war crimes by Australian special forces. The review was triggered by the Brereton inquiry report, which found “credible” evidence of 25 current or former Australian special forces personnel’s involvement in the unlawful killing of 39 individuals and the cruel treatment of two others in Afghanistan. The Leahy laws banned the US from training foreign security forces “where there is credible information implicating that unit in the commission of gross violations of human rights”.
The US embassy in Canberra stated that the Australian government’s actions to address the allegations, including Gen Angus Campbell’s revelation of the Brereton inquiry report triggering discussions between the two countries, had allayed any concerns. The embassy spokesperson insisted that defence and security ties between the two countries were “exceptionally close” and that “our defence and security cooperation is essential for security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.”
One army member’s employment arrangements were “adjusted” to alleviate US concerns, prompting Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie to accuse the US of “dictating” what would happen to Australian personnel. Campbell denied this, emphasizing that changes were made with “due care” to the individual’s “circumstances and opportunities and professional development”.
Despite the allegations, the US embassy pointed to continued cooperation between the two countries, including annual rotations of Marines to Darwin, “enhanced rotations” of US air force aircraft to Australia, and the Aukus partnership that included the UK. The embassy spokesperson confirmed that funding for bilateral security cooperation was never suspended, and training activities were not impacted by the review.
The US embassy review highlights the importance of maintaining defence and security cooperation between allies despite serious allegations. As tensions rise in the Indo-Pacific region, it is crucial for countries to work together towards regional security and stability. The Brereton inquiry report’s revelations of alleged war crimes underscore the importance of accountability and transparency in military operations. The bilateral review underscores the need for continued cooperation and dialogue between allies to address such issues and maintain trust and security in the region.
Julian Assange's extradition to the US dangerously close, say observers
Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, is on the brink of being extradited to the United States, say observers of his legal challenge. Assange lost his latest legal appeal against extradition on Tuesday, prompting his lawyers to announce they will appeal again to the same court.
UK high court judge Justice Jonathan Swift rejected all eight grounds of Assange’s appeal against the US’s extradition order, which was signed by then UK home secretary Priti Patel in June 2020. The request violates the US-UK extradition treaty, which states that “extradition shall not be granted if the offence for which extradition is requested is a political offence”. Assange’s legal team has maintained that the US desire to try Assange is politically motivated.
Assange's wife, Stella Assange, announced that her husband would be making a “renewed application for appeal to the high court” next week. The matter would then be heard before two new judges in a public hearing. Assange's father, John Shipton, said that his son’s grounds for a further hearing were “clear, firm and just”.
Assange faces 18 charges over WikiLeaks’ publication of classified documents, largely the result of a leak by the former US army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning. Manning was sentenced to 35 years in prison but released after President Barack Obama commuted her sentence in 2017.
Assange’s legal team has also said the US has consistently misrepresented the core facts of the case to the British courts. Swift’s rejection of the appeal grounds leaves only one final step in the UK courts: the defence has five working days to submit an appeal of 20 pages to a panel of two judges, who will convene a public hearing.
Assange has been held in Belmarsh prison for more than four years, during which time his health has deteriorated. After this final appeal, he could still fight the extradition at the European court of human rights, which last December confirmed that an application from Assange had been received. Observers are calling for President Biden to drop the charges, close the case against Assange, and allow for his release without further delay to protect journalism and press freedom.