Some US military stakeholders have “very serious concerns” about the Aukus arrangement but the Pentagon wants “to make this thing work”, a senior American defence official says. While Anthony Albanese declares the Australian government wants to see “peace in and security in our region”, the senior official says the US wants Australia to step up more. “Substantial increases in Australian defense spending I think are quite warranted,” they told Guardian Australia in an email. The senior US defence official told Guardian Australia of the review that “thirty days was never accurate”. There are folks that are very powerful and very important stakeholders who have very serious concerns privately.