Australia may be a Nuclear target - Kevin Rudd

1. What title does Kevin Rudd have in the Australian Government? Explain what this role entails.
Kevin Rudd is the Foreign Affairs minister for the Australian government. this involves interacting with various countries around the world and keeping an eye on things such as this imminent threat to Australia in the form of nuclear weapons.

2. What is Kevin Rudd's concern?

Kevin Rudd's concern is that North Korea's nuclear missiles and weapon programs are a direct threat to Australia. he believes that North Korea are "detached from reality" and are chasing after their own goals and endeavours and only doing what will benefit them. an example is their lust to continue with their uranium powered weapons program.

3. What forum was he at to express his concerns?

Kevin Rudd was at the ASEAN region forum ministers "meeting" in Nusa Dua, Bali. the other foreign ministers of the organisation were also present.

4. What actions have North Korea performed recently which have Rudd alarmed and the region lacking stability?

North Korea have recently torpedoed a South Korean naval frigate and also shelled civilians' homes across the border which is an act of unnecessary violence that is worrying for the rest of the world. they have also defied two UN security council resolutions by pursuing an enriched uranium weapons program

5. What is a 'direct threat' to Australia according to Rudd?

a direct threat to Australia according to our foreign affairs minister Kevin Rudd is the long range North Korean missile program. "Its a serious matter; it’s not out there on the margins of our national security concerns; it’s real and I reflected those concerns to the North Koreans today".

6. What do you think that Rudd is trying to accomplish diplomatically by calling out his North Korean counterpart publicly? How does this relate to Australia's relationship and role in the region? 

i think that Rudd is trying to raise the awareness of this threat. he's trying to bring it out and put it in the spotlight so other countries who are at risk can also see the dangers North Korea pose. this also puts Kevin Rudd in the spotlight and shows that he is worried not only for his countries sake but for our allies in the region. it shows that Australia is a wary country and isn't going to let a risk like this simply drift away.

7. How does this relate to Australia's relationship to major allies?

this instance shows to Australia's major allies that we are investigating this matter, our allies know we are being cautious as we should be which is a good thing. it also makes them more wary of the situation and the possible threat to their country as well. Australia is being seen as the country that is questioning North Korea's weapons program which personally i think other nations have been thinking about as well. Kevin Rudd has simply put it out there to debate about.