August 24, 2016

Australia’s Ambivalence Makes It Vulnerable

By Richard Fontaine

With Washington’s rising focus on Asia, America’s close and longstanding alliance with Australia has taken on new significance. Australia today is boosting its military strength and regional activism, tightening a raft of security partnerships, and enhancing defense and intelligence ties with the U.S.

In many ways the relationship has never been stronger. And yet the alliance hasn’t been tested in the region where it matters most—Asia. It is in Asia where tests are likeliest to arise, and where there is the greatest divergence between Australia’s national-security establishment and public opinion.

 

To read the full op-ed, visit The Wall Street Journal website. 

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