The Future of the Australian-U.S. Security
Relationship by Rod Lyon and William T. Tow. Strategic Studies
Institute (http://www.carlisle.army.mil/ssi/index.cfm), US Army War
College, 122 Forbes Avenue, Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013-5244, 2003,
50 pages. http://www.carlisle.army.mil/ssi/pdffiles/PUB50.pdf.
As Australia changes its status from a regional ally to one of
America’s few global allies, relationships and defense arrangements
must change and adapt. Whereas New Zealand never recovered from its
antinuclear stance that distanced it from the United States, Australia
has continued its 50-year relationship with us. Having contributed
forces to the fighting in both Afghanistan and Iraq, Australia now
understands the hostile nature of Asian affairs—especially after the
Bali attacks in 2002—and realizes it needs American support to contain
the arc of instability that has invaded the South Pacific islands. The
authors point out that the change for Australia began when it
shouldered the largest share of the burden in stabilizing East Timor
in the 1990s. Although it backed up Australia, the United States
declared that that country had to police its own backyard. Australian
forces remain in New Guinea and Guadalcanal attempting to engage in
nation building as the societies there cope with failed states and
policies. Australian politicians, at least those currently in power,
believe that the Asian and global environments have so shifted at the
start of the twenty-first century that Australia must also shift; the
major constraint, as in other countries, is funds for military
expenditures.
Because of the maritime approaches to the Australian continent and the
focus of the US Army on Korea, Australia seeks interoperability with
the US Marine Corps. The authors also concentrate on various weapons
systems on the books in Australia and their fit into the new global
strategy of the Australian Defense Forces. The F-111 fleet may retire
early to free up funding for the Joint Strike Fighter, and the
Australian army requires a new battle tank. Australia’s ability to
become a meaningful contributor to American-led global operations will
depend upon its willingness to create and maintain a wide array of
high-technology forces. Not only must it have airlift to give its
forces global reach, but also it must shed its commonwealth thinking
about fighting no further than Singapore.
Speculation concerning basing and movement in the vast Asian region
also enters into the debate about what role Australia could and should
play. US policy itself has not matured to a point where America has
formally asked Australia to provide basing for either forces or
equipment. Furthermore, as the United States finds itself confronted
by a larger global war on terrorism, Japan may enter into more than
talks with Australia and America. Worried about instability and
threats emanating from China, Japan desires Australian and American
cooperation to assist it with policies and an Asian defense framework.
The doctrine of inter-dependence with the United States will continue
to be the dominant defense policy for Australia.
Capt Gilles Van Nederveen, USAF, Retired
Fairfax, Virginia
Disclaimer
The conclusions and opinions expressed in this document are those of the author cultivated in the freedom of expression, academic environment of Air University. They do not reflect the official position of the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, the United States Air Force or the Air University.
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