The future of the United States-Australia alliance: evolving security strategy in the Indo-Pacific

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 geo-strategic developments, in particular the rise of China, has 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 long-standing US-Australia alliance. Both countries have to confront a changing strategic environment, and as a result, the alliance needs to respond to the challenges that they face. The United States cannot continue to take Australia for granted. It must understand the challenges and risks to this vital relationship, which is growing in importance, and take steps to manage it. On its part, Australia needs to clearly identify its core common interests with the United States, and start exploring what more it needs to do to match 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, this work is aimed at academics, analysts, students and the security and business communities.