Australia has no agency or leverage

Correct. We do what the US asks.

A predictable story from start to finish.

In a humorous twist, Kissinger's statement rings true - being America's enemy is dangerous, but being an ally is fatal. Every nation that has formed an alliance with the US now faces cannibalization.

The world economy is dividing into two factions, and the US-led bloc is weaker due to western countries' deindustrialization. This lack of industrial prowess didn't previously pose a problem, as the world was dominated by Western nations and they enjoyed a parasitic relationship with the Global South. However, as the Global South gains independence, Western countries are encountering significant economic challenges. The US, as the largest power among them, is now adopting a similar approach to other Western nations that the West has historically employed against the rest of the world - exploitation and cannibalization.