AUKUS - never heard of it until now. IMO it sounds very theoretical - one large power and two minor military powers at opposite ends of the earth.

The only military alliance is NATO and they are always the good guys, right?

If someone is internet and alt media aware they know all about the various alliances such as the five or nine eyes alliance. But the average brain dead American would have no idea about what I just mentioned.

In fact in most cases the standard American wouldn't know what the word "alliance" even means, what a treaty means, etc. What the average person in our culture knows is what they are told to know by the media, and nothing more.

I never heard of it either. I've only heard of Five Eyes. This is what the AI on Brave says about AUKUS. Its too much money, even over 30 years.

What is AUKUS

AUKUS is a trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, established to enhance collective security and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region. It was officially announced on September 15, 2021, and consists of two main pillars. Pillar 1 focuses on supporting Australia in acquiring conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines, with plans for Australia to eventually build its own fleet of SSN-AUKUS submarines starting in the 2040s. Pillar 2 involves collaboration on advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and hypersonic missile development.

The partnership is widely seen as a strategic response to growing concerns about China's military expansion in the Indo-Pacific region, although it has also sparked controversy and debate. Critics argue that the deal is costly—estimated at up to $368 billion over 30 years—and raises concerns about Australia's sovereignty and potential entanglement in future conflicts, such as a possible US-China confrontation over Taiwan.

AUKUS builds on existing alliances like the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing network and includes provisions for technology sharing, personnel exchanges, and joint production efforts. The agreement also involves the rotational basing of US and UK submarines in Australia to support regional security and help Australia develop its nuclear submarine capabilities.

While the deal has bipartisan support in Australia, its future has come under scrutiny following the election of Donald Trump as US president, with concerns that his "America First" agenda may lead to renegotiation or withdrawal from the agreement.