{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Defending the Pacific: George Friedman on Australia, Japan and the coalition against China","description":"The Australian defense minister said this week that China\u2019s military defense build up required a response. China\u2019s defense spending has increased 13 fold in the past 30 years, while its Navy is projected to grow by nearly 50% by the end of the decade. That last statistic would be of particular concern to Australia\u2019s defense minister, Richard Marles, who said that open sea lanes, including around China, are crucial to Australia\u2019s national security. So how is great power competition playing out in the Asia-Pacific? What is the role of Australia, AUKUS and the Quad, and can America\u2019s allies trust the US and its nuclear umbrella to be there as it seeks to disengage from the world. Host Christian Smith is with GPF Chairman George Friedman to discuss this and much more.   Visit http:\/\/www.geopoliticalfutures.com for world-class geopolitical analysis and discussion. ","author_name":"Talking Geopolitics","author_url":"https:\/\/geopoliticalfutures.com\/podcast","html":"