Is the US Alliance of Declining Importance to Australia?
Author: Paul Dibb
Volume 5, Number 2 (Winter 2009), pp. 31-40.
Abstract
This White Paper, like all its predecessors, stresses the central importance of the US alliance. However, it is not so certain about the continuation of US strategic primacy or of the US commitment to the security of the Asia-Pacific region. But it does contemplate committing Australia to providing ‘substantial contributions’ to contingencies in Asia involving the US fighting a major power adversary. And it also acknowledges this might involve Australia facing direct military attacks from a major power. This is a potentially dangerous new departure for Australian defence policy that requires much more public debate.
About the Author
Emeritus Professor Paul Dibb was Head of the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at the Australian National University from 1991 to 2003. Previously, he was Deputy Secretary in the Australian Department of Defence (1988 to 1991) and Director of the Defence Intelligence Organisation (1986 to 1988). He was the author of the 1987 Defence White Paper. paul.dibb@anu.edu.au.
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