Managing editorMichelle Pinidiscusses Donald Trump's burgeoning dictatorship and what Australia's response might mean for the future of democracy.

IMAGINE if Austrian ChancellorDr Kurt von Schuschnigghad not gone to Germany tomeetwith Hitler in 1938.

Perhaps the Federal State of Austria would have remained independent, perhaps not. But the civilised von Schuschnigg who still did his utmost to resist the Fhrer may have had a diplomatic chance without the targeted harassment he was forced to endure, while entrapped at Hitlers villaunder the guise of a friendly meeting.

He may even have been able to achieve a unified stance with other European nations against German aggression, staving off Hitlers murderous expansion and possibly even World War II.

At the time, of course, the Austrian Chancellor did not have support from other world powers, such as Britain under Chamberlain and France under Daladier, who were mostly ignoringor even accommodating Hitlers plans, and then turned a blind eye as Austria was annexed to Germany and von Schuschnigg was forced to resign.

A few months after von Schuschniggs ill-fated visit, Britain, France and Italysignedthe Munich Agreement, gifting Hitler free rein over Sudetenland, the German-speaking part of Czechoslovakia. Hitler was only emboldened by both these events and swiftly violated the Munich agreement by occupying the rest of Czechoslovakia, and theninvadingPoland in 1939.

Of course, we have no way of knowing if strategic and determined opposition to the Third Reich would have been enough to stop the German madman, but we do know that these events helped fuel his war department.

American politics took another dark turn this week. U.S. President Donald Trump has launched a full-frontal assault on democratic norms.

And speaking of war departments, this week, another crazed despot, one who appears to rule the free world, renamed the U.S. Department of Defense to the Department of War.

Accordingto Trump:

Of course! And in other news,George Orwells Thought Police, or National Guard as they are known in the U.S., are nowin placeto enforce this Newspeak, as well as any other acts Trump has redefined as illegal such as seeking asylum, protesting against or criticising the POTUS, or perhaps Facecrime in 19 Republican states, so far.

Then theres the deployment of troops without the agreement of State governors in California, Washington and Portland. Trump, who also announced that he'll be sending Federal armed forces to Tennessee and Chicago "very soon",also confirmed he was "authorising Full Force, if necessary.

Accordingto the U.S. President, Portland (and other states) are war-ravaged and military rule would assist:

Trump also bragged about U.S. nuclear capabilities andtoldmilitary leaders they may be required in further deployments against their fellow U.S. citizens in other dangerous cities.

Trump explained he wants to use cities run by radical Left Democrats as military training groundsbecause, he said:

Earlier, apart from filing endless lawsuits against them, the U.S. dictator also threatened to revoke the licences of any media outlets that dared to criticise him.

Then there's his latestexecutive order,which designates "Antifa" a "domestic terrorist organisation", as part of efforts to crack down on the "radical Left" aftertheassassinationof conservative, gun-toting activist Charlie Kirk.This allows Trump's Administration to 'investigate, disrupt, and dismantle'any left-wing or other dissent.

So much for theFirst Amendment.(Also, look outABC!)

The more Trump tightens his hold, the more America begins to resemble the authoritarian regimes we were once taught to fear.

On top of fighting its own people in the streets and media outlets in the courts for disagreeing with the Supreme Leader, this week, the U.S. Governmentshut downbecause Democratic senators refused to pass Trumps spending Bill, primarily because of massive cuts to healthcare.

This is the third time under Trumps rule that the U.S. Government has shut down and it affects hundreds of thousands of U.S. Government workers who will not be paid until the shutdown is over. As an aside, the President (in this case, Trump, whose personalnet worthwill increaseby $3 billion each year he is in power) and Congressstill get paidduring a shutdown.

And the U.S. Government has warned Federal workers will be fired en masse if Democrats don't back down and vote for the Bill. Democrat-run states have also been threatened with billions in permanent funding cuts if they dont agree to all the Republicans demands.

So much for making America great again.

This is the man that Western leaders fall over themselves to meet, indulge with sumptuous Royalbanquets, and form their defence policies with further bolstering the U.S. military complex and emboldening the already fearsome military power Trump's America bandies about at regular intervals.

For Australias part in this madness, despite being criticised in the media for not fawning over the POTUS enough to secure a private meeting, not only did Albanese managea tte--tte with the U.S. Supreme Leader, but apparently, theAUKUSpact is likely to be finalisedand other important deals made.

Meanwhile, Australia and other UN nations, such as Britain and France, have welcomed" Trumps latest 20-point peace plan for Gaza.

Basically, the Palestinians are expected to accept Trumps Board of Peace or continue getting blown to smithereens. The Board of Peace (or is that theMinistry of Truth?) will include Donald himself as chair the leader who is currently waging war on his fellow countrymen.Former British PM SirTony Blair,who is perhaps best known for rushing (along withJohn Howard) tohelpthe U.S. invade Iraqbased on complete lies,will also be involved in a 'significant governing role'.

So much for a free Palestinian state.

Of courseany AustralianPM needs to carefully navigate diplomatic ties with the United States especially since its President controls the biggest military power in the world. But regardless of any (temporary) economic gains, if indeed they eventuate, or any promises to come to our rescue should other crazy despots invade, any meeting with this U.S. President should have Albanese checking to see if his mobile phone is still in his pocket as he exits.

In 1938, Austrian Chancellor Dr Kurt von Schuschnigg attempted to stand up to the insane ramblings of a powerful dictator, but world leaders underestimated Hitlers Germany.

Lets hope people wont look back and say, Imagine if Australia and Britain hadnt agreed to AUKUS.

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