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Unbreakable Alliance? ANZUS in the Asian Century
Author(s) -
Taylor Brendan
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
asian politics and policy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.193
H-Index - 12
eISSN - 1943-0787
pISSN - 1943-0779
DOI - 10.1111/aspp.12232
Subject(s) - alliance , china , political science , elite , face (sociological concept) , public opinion , track (disk drive) , economic growth , development economics , public administration , political economy , economy , politics , economics , sociology , law , social science , engineering , mechanical engineering
The alliance between the United States and Australia (Australia New Zealand United States or ANZUS), while one of America's least problematic Asia‐Pacific strategic relationships at present, could face a series of new challenges as structural change in this region continues apace. This article analyzes five such challenges facing ANZUS: the rise of China; changing American expectations of its allies and partners; the intensification of Australia‐Japan security relations; the emergence of a divide between Australian public and elite opinion on ANZUS; and the rise of Indonesia. The article concludes by offering a series of policy‐relevant recommendations designed to ameliorate the worst effects of these challenges. These include the generation of greater policy debate on ANZUS in Australia; the introduction of new public education programs highlighting the alliance's costs and risks; and the establishment of a new Australia‐Indonesia‐U.S. trilateral dialogue process at the second track or 1.5 track level.