Suchergebnisse

Astrobiology is the field of science devoted to searching for life elsewhere in the Universe. It is inherently interdisciplinary, integrating results from multiple fields of science, and in this respect has strong synergies with 'big history'. I argue that big history and astrobiology are both acting to widen human perspectives in intellectually and socially beneficial directions, especially by enhancing public awareness of cosmic and evolutionary worldviews. I will further argue that these perspectives have important implications for the social and political organisation of humanity, including the eventual political unification of our planet. Astrobiology and big history are also concerned with the future of humanity, and I will argue that this future will be culturally and intellectually enriched if it includes the exploration of the universe around us.

As the Middle East is undergoing dramatic shifts in power, Saudi Arabia is a nation undergoing change. For many years content to follow the strategic policy of the United States events are militating against the continuation of this strategy. The security environment in the Middle East has become fluid. A destabilised Iraq, a resurgent Iran, fundamentalist terrorism and fragile regional regimes are intensifying pressure on the al-Saud regime. US foreign policy, despite Saudi warnings, has opened 'Pandora's Box' and now Saudi's are faced with reaping the costs. To better understand how the Saudi regime views the region and the forces and events currently shaping it, this paper utilises a Strategic Personality model. This model investigates the historical decisions made by a nation, the cultural identity and the national myths which frame the decision making processes within Saudi Arabia. This model draws out 'Ultimate Concerns', which are what the inhabitants regard as essential for survival and can include not merely physical existence, but also the cultural construction of the society. Saudi Arabia's Ultimate Concerns revolve around territorial integrity, maintenance of social cohesion and resistance of external pressures. This model reinforces that Saudi strategic trajectory will continue towards a strategy more independent from that of the US as it seeks to relieve pressure on its Ultimate Concerns. The Saudis will be 'forced' to take on a more assertive role in the Middle East for two reasons: substance and style. Firstly, due to declining internal and external security, Saudi Arabia seeks to secure its borders and maintain social cohesion because of Iraq acting as an intensifier of regional instabilities, an increasingly 'unreliable' US and a potentially hostile Iran. Secondly, Saudi Arabia will become more strategically assertive, not only because of the deteriorating security situation, but also due to the differing styles between the US and Saudi Arabia when addressing security concerns. To this end Riyadh will utilise all available levers to reduce instability, as it perceives it, despite American efforts. A strategically independent Saudi Arabia raises several issues for Australia. The relationship between the two nations is more than simply oil. Australia has an opportunity as a middle power, to undertake strategic entrepreneurship with Saudi Arabia, that the much larger and more complex US-Saudi relationship would preclude due to issue linkage and communication overload. While Australia has little opportunity to make a significant and telling contribution towards Saudi reassurance on Ultimate Concerns, it does have the ability to address niche concerns . In an age of greater Saudi strategic independence, Australia must work more directly with Riyadh to address issues important to both nations. There are three key areas where Saudi Arabia's role may impact on Australian Policy: trade; terror; and WMD. The declining trade relationship is indicative of Australian focus on the region, as Australia has engaged predominantly through trade missions and coalition troop deployments. Saudi Arabia has significant experience in establishing and combating terror networks and is likely to have a better comprehension of nuance of intent within Islamic groups. Closer engagement with Riyadh will allow Canberra to add its voice to those that oppose the reasons for Saudi nuclear proliferation. Greater diplomatic focus on Saudi Arabia would assist with the negotiation of a trade agreement to grow the existing but stagnant relationship. It would enable joint Australian-Saudi monitoring of charities funding Islamic groups, enhancing both nations ability to reduce the flow of funds to terrorism. It would also allow the Saudi's to provide religiously nuanced input on enhanced regional Public Diplomacy aimed at supporting the moderate clerics and de-legitimising the extremist-lslamists. Tailored engagement will facilitate Australia's capabilities to discover the niche areas that can provide positive benefits to Australia's Ultimate Concerns and Australian­ Saudi-US relations. Ultimately the higher level of contact could assist Australia in the articulation of a strategy to conduct the Long War, in a coherent manner that incorporates all aspects of government security military and civil.