1st Edition

The Future of the United States-Australia Alliance Evolving Security Strategy in the Indo-Pacific

Edited By Scott McDonald, Andrew Tan Copyright 2023
    238 Pages
    by Routledge

    238 Pages
    by Routledge

    The United States-Australia alliance has been an important component of the US-led system of alliances that has underpinned regional security in the Indo-Pacific since 1945. However, recent geostrategic developments, in particular the rise of the People’s Republic of China, have posed significant challenges to this US-led regional order. In turn, the growing strategic competition between these two great powers has generated challenges to the longstanding US-Australia alliance. Both the US and Australia are confronting a changing strategic environment, and, as a result, the alliance needs to respond to the challenges that they face. The US needs to understand the challenges and risks to this vital relationship, which is growing in importance, and take steps to manage it. On its part, Australia must clearly identify its core common interests with the US and start exploring what more it needs to do to attain its stated policy preferences.

    This book consists of chapters exploring US and Australian perspectives of the Indo-Pacific, the evolution of Australia-US strategic and defence cooperation, and the future of the relationship. Written by a joint US-Australia team, the volume is aimed at academics, analysts, students, and the security and business communities.

    1. The United States-Australia Alliance
    2. Scott D. McDonald and Andrew T. H. Tan

      US and Australian Perspectives of the Indo-Pacific

    3. The Strategic Environment of the US-Australia Alliance in the Indo-Pacific Era
    4. Alexander L. Vuving

    5. The United States’ Security Perspectives in the Asia-Pacific and the Value of the Alliance with Australia
    6. Paul J. Smith

    7. Security Threats and Challenges to Australia
    8. Andrew T. H. Tan

      The Evolution of Australia-US Strategic and Defence Cooperation

    9. The Common Interests that Bind the United States and Australia
    10. Bates Gill

    11. The Evolution of the US-Australia Strategic Relationship
    12. Shannon Brandt Ford

    13. Defence Co-operation between Australia and the United States
    14. Alan Bloomfield

    15. China-US-Australia: Redefining the Strategic Triangle
    16. Adam Lockyer, Scott D. McDonald and Yves Heng-Lim

      The Future

    17. The US-Australian Alliance and its Implications for Australian Defence Strategy and Procurement
    18. Fred Smith, Yves-Heng Lim and Adam Lockyer

    19. The Future of Australia-US Strategic and Defence Cooperation: An Australian Perspective
    20. Andrew O’Neil

    21. The Future of Australia-US Strategic and Defence Cooperation: A US Perspective

    Scott D. McDonald

    Biography

    Scott D. McDonald is a Non-resident Research Fellow at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies and pursuing a PhD at The Fletcher School of Tufts University, USA. A retired US Marine Corps officer, his final active duty position was as a Military Professor at APCSS, where he taught Chinese philosophy and strategic thought, East Asia security dynamics, National Security Strategy, and strategic foresight.

    Andrew T. H. Tan is Professor at the Department of Security Studies and Criminology, Macquarie University, Australia. He previously taught at the University of New South Wales, Australia, and Kings College London, UK, where he was based at the Joint Services Command and Staff College at Watchfield. Andrew has published 20 sole-authored, edited and co-edited books, and more than 60 refereed journal and chapter articles.

    ‘A timely volume on the US-Australia alliance which provides fresh thinking on how the United States and Australia can navigate a more contested Indo-Pacific. This book will be of great value to scholars and practitioners alike.’

    Ben Schreer, Professor of Strategic Studies, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.

     `The timing of this volume on the US-Australia alliance relationship is impeccable. Written by some well-known scholars and practitioners, it offers an invaluable set of chapters that enhances our understanding of the new challenges and risks confronting the alliance and puts forth constructive ideas for Canberra and Washington to deal with them without compromising their vital interests and core values. It should be required reading not just for those interested in the fast-changing triangular Australia-America-China relationship but all those interested in the future of the Indo-Pacific regional order.'

    Mohan Malik, Professor, National Defense College of the UAE and Visiting Fellow, NESA Center for Strategic Studies, USA.