New Zealand in AUKUS? The political Kiwi conundrum over Pillar 2 membership Among the political elite in Wellington, there is disagreement about the value of New Zealand joining this element of the partnership — disagreement that could end any realistic chances of New Zealand becoming the fourth member of AUKUS. – By TIM FISH

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (R) and New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins arrive for Question time at Parliament House on February 07, 2023 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Martin Ollman/Getty Images) WELLINGTON — When Kurt Campbell, the Biden administration’s Indo-Pacific “Czar” visited the Kiwi capital in March, one of his main missions was toContinue reading “New Zealand in AUKUS? The political Kiwi conundrum over Pillar 2 membership Among the political elite in Wellington, there is disagreement about the value of New Zealand joining this element of the partnership — disagreement that could end any realistic chances of New Zealand becoming the fourth member of AUKUS. – By TIM FISH”

SHANGRI-LA: Austin Says U.S. Will Stand Up to ‘Bullying’ in the Western Pacific, New Zealand Declines Chinese Offer for Military Exercises – By: Dzirhan Mahadzir June 3, 2023 8:30 AM

https://news.usni.org/2023/06/03/shangri-la-austin-says-u-s-will-stand-up-to-bullying-in-the-western-pacific-new-zealand-declines-chinese-offer-for-military-exercises Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin delivers regional defense leaders at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) 20th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore., June 3, 2023. DoD Photo The U.S. will support its allies and partners when they defend themselves against coercion and bullying in the Western Pacific, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said inContinue reading “SHANGRI-LA: Austin Says U.S. Will Stand Up to ‘Bullying’ in the Western Pacific, New Zealand Declines Chinese Offer for Military Exercises – By: Dzirhan Mahadzir June 3, 2023 8:30 AM”

USS Alaska (CB-1) photographed underway on 11 September 1944.

USS Alaska (CB-1) was the lead ship of the Alaska class of large cruisers which served with the United States Navy during the end of World War II. She was the first of two ships of her class to be completed, followed only by Guam; four other ships were ordered but were not completed beforeContinue reading “USS Alaska (CB-1) photographed underway on 11 September 1944.”

Vampires flying in formation along the coast of New Zealand. 1957.

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First Royal Navy Type 31 frigate to hit the water this year 2nd June 2023 – 15:30 GMT | by Harry Lye in LondonRSS

HMS Venturer under construction at Babcock’s Rosyth shipyard. (Photo: Royal Navy via Twitter/Crown Copyright) The first of the Royal Navy’s future Inspiration-class Type 31 frigates, HMS Venturer, is scheduled to hit the water this year. from JC’s Naval, Maritime and Military News https://ift.tt/KP5Ygxd via IFTTT