“Are there any wars you’d like us to join?”

Pauline Hanson has once again stepped forward to demonstrate that when it comes to global conflicts, distance is no barrier to enthusiasm.

In comments that seemed to blur the line between foreign policy and schoolyard loyalty, Hanson called on Australia to back Donald Trump in his efforts to “stamp out evil” by joining the escalating conflict with Iran – apparently under the long-standing diplomatic principle of “mates don’t let mates fight alone.”

“If we’re close allies,” Hanson argued, “then you stand united together to stamp out the evil that is happening throughout the world.”

It’s a compelling vision. Not necessarily a coherent one, but certainly a compelling one.

Under this framework, international relations appear to operate less like a system of strategic interests and more like a late-night phone call between old friends:

“G’day, Donald, it’s Pauline. Just checking in – any wars you’d like us to join?”

Hanson went on to suggest that Prime Minister Albanese should have already made such a call, citing Australia’s commitment under AUKUS as evidence that we are, in fact, obliged to offer assistance whenever the United States finds itself in a conflict – declared or otherwise.

This may come as news to the architects of AUKUS, who had previously understood the agreement to involve submarines, strategic deterrence, and a careful balancing of power in the Indo-Pacific – not an open-ended invitation to join whichever war happens to be trending in Washington.

But Hanson’s argument goes further.

According to her, Trump is “trying to get rid of the radicalism throughout the world,” a goal so vast and undefined that it would likely require not just military intervention, but several centuries and a reworking of human nature itself.

Still, in Hanson’s telling, the situation is urgent – made all the more so by Australia’s acceptance of refugees from conflict zones such as Gaza.

“It is our problem,” she insists, suggesting that the presence of displaced people on Australian soil somehow transforms distant wars into domestic obligations.

By that logic, one might expect Australia to maintain a standing army permanently deployed across half the globe, just in case compassion inadvertently creates responsibility.

What’s striking is not simply the call to arms, but the casualness with which it is made.

War, in this formulation, is not a last resort but a gesture of friendship. A show of solidarity. A way of proving that Australia is, above all else, a reliable mate.

There is, however, a lingering question that remains unanswered.

If being a “close ally” means automatically signing up to another nation’s conflicts – without parliamentary debate, without public consent, and without any clear national interest – then at what point does alliance become obligation, and obligation become surrender?

For now, the Albanese government appears to be taking a more restrained approach, one that involves diplomacy, caution, and a reluctance to answer hypothetical late-night phone calls about real or hypothetical wars.

Whether that restraint holds in the face of mounting political pressure – and increasingly creative interpretations of what it means to be an ally – remains to be seen.

In the meantime, Australians can take some comfort in knowing that while we may not have asked to join another war, there are still those willing to volunteer us anyway.

Keep Independent Journalism Alive – Support The AIMN

Dear Reader,

Since 2013, The Australian Independent Media Network has been a fearless voice for truth, giving public interest journalists a platform to hold power to account. From expert analysis on national and global events to uncovering issues that matter to you, we’re here because of your support.

Running an independent site isn’t cheap, and rising costs mean we need you now more than ever. Your donation – big or small – keeps our servers humming, our writers digging, and our stories free for all.

Join our community of truth-seekers. Please consider donating now via:

PayPal or credit card – just click on the Donate button below

Direct bank transfer: BSB: 062500; A/c no: 10495969

We’ve also set up a GoFundMe as a dedicated reserve fund to help secure the future of our site.
Your support will go directly toward covering essential costs like web hosting renewals and helping us bring new features to life. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us keep improving and growing.

Thank you for standing with us – we truly couldn’t do this without you.

With gratitude, The AIMN Team