Regional Security in the Asia-Pacific: an ANZUS Perspective

Abstract

Debate over the continued relevance of postwar U.S. alliance systems in Asia is intensifying at a time when American 'global' and 'regional' strategies seem to be converging. The ANZUS alliance is no exception to this trend. Australian and regional security analysts have recently focused on whether Australia faces a 'choice' between sustaining U.S. alliance affinities and commitments in a 'global' context or prioritizing its regional security postures in tandem with its growing economic involvement in Asia. It is argued in this article that the two approaches are complementary rather than divergent and that the current Australian government recognises this geopolitical reality. It concludes that alliances and other 'classic' state-centric mechanisms for pursuing both regional and international security will continue to be applicable to Australia's need for 'getting the balance right' between its future regional and global strategies. Show more