AUKUS: Is Australia the big loser?

Also shattered for now and for good is the campaign for a nuclear-free Pacific backed by New Zealand and countries of the Indo-Pacific region. Australian disregard and disdain for its 'little brother' and Pacific island nations has never been more obvious.

And in the contested South China Sea region, Indonesia and Malaysia in immediate responses have expressed deep concern over the arms race being intensified by the new tripartite military pact; and called on nations to avoid provoking a nuclear arms race as well as meet their nuclear non-proliferation obligations.

Key takeaways for now

Western hypocrisy over nuclear proliferation and the key role of its armament merchants and supporting politicians in determining foreign policy is not only once again exposed from this new military pact. North Korea, Iran, Turkey and a host of other countries, possibly also including Indonesia, wanting to join the nuclear weaponry club will now have greater justification for crossing what the west has set up as an elastic red line.

Unfortunately too, PM Morrison has instigated a new round of the cold war which has him pinning the target on Australia's own back as well as on its Indo-Pacific neighbours.