U.S.-australia Secuirty Allaince: Defense Policy

U.S.-AUSTRALIA SECUIRTY ALLAINCE: DEFENSE POLICY

When Australia elected a new prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, in November 2007, many were concerned that this may signal the end of Australia's deep commitment to security alliances with the U.S. which had been the cornerstone of John Howard's time in the office. Rudd had made some promises during his election campaign which explained why observers might have concerns. For one, he had promised to reduce Australian troops posted in Iraq and also had conflict with the U.S. On Kyoto protocol. "Kevin Rudd's election victory over Howard has thus understandably intensified speculation over the future of Australia-U.S. ties at a critical time in the history of both countries." (Tow)

However despite these concerns, Australia has demonstrated its intentions to continue its security and strategic alliance with the U.S.

The main cornerstone of U.S.-Australia security relations is the Australia-New Zealand-United States (ANZUS) Treaty which was signed in 1951. Australia has been a strong military partner of the United States in major international conflicts and also during the recent war against terrorism. The treaty came back to life after former Prime Minister John Howard used it to offer support to the U.S. In the wake of September 11 attacks.

"Under the former Liberal government of John Howard, Australia invoked the ANZUS treaty to offer assistance to the United States after the attacks of September

11, 2001, in which 22 Australians died. Australia was one of the first countries to commit troops to U.S. military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq." Australia has been a close ally because it understands that in the war on terrorism and other security issues, it is not the U.S. that has been suffering alone. Australia has lost many innocent citizens in attacks all around the world. "In October 2002, a terrorist attack on Western tourists in Bali, Indonesia, killed more than 200 persons, including 88 Australians and seven Americans. A second terrorist bombing, which killed 23, including four Australians, was carried out in Bali in October 2005. The Australian Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, was also bombed by members of Jemaah Islamiya (JI) in September 2004."

Australia views the U.S. As a "key source of stability in the Asia-Pacific region" and has reaffirmed its deep commitment to U.S. security alliance. Even after a review of the defense policy, Australia has maintained that despite its difference on some other issues, it sees U.S. As an important player in its defense and security policy and hence Prime Minister Rudd has no intentions of hurting Australia-U.S. relations.

ANZUS plays a crucial role in maintaining strong U.S.-Australia ties. This treaty and how it was secured explains how keenly Australia had sought U.S. alliance in all matters of security. It is widely believed that American agreed to join ANZUS only when Australia demonstrated a softer approach to Japanese peace Treaty. However that alone could not have gained America's trust. Australia in its bid to win America over also participated eagerly in the Korean War. And later Australia and New Zealand both agreed with the U.S. On Middle Eastern political matters which further strengthened their relations with the U.S. And made ANZUS a reality.

Australia has never denied that it views its relations with the U.S. As one of the key components of its security and defense policy. In 1997, a White Paper stated '…Beyond its significance to the defense of Australia, the alliance strengthens United States strategic engagement in the region: an engagement which has underwritten the regional stability on which the East Asian economic miracle has been built….In short the United States will remain an indispensable participant in the security and the economic affairs of the Asia Pacific over the next fifteen years…'

The 2003 White Paper states '…Australia has a vital interest in supporting long-term U.S. strategic engagement in East Asia, because of its fundamental contribution to regional stability and prosperity…'.

In contemporary times, what really matters is how the Rudd government sees Australia's alliance with the U.S. It is no hidden fact that Australia under Howard truly valued this alliance but since Rudd has had disagreements with the U.S. On some other issues, it is important to see how this government treats U.S.-Australia alliance. Australia cannot seem to agree with the U.S. On Iraq policy and hence has planned to withdraw some of its troops from the country. It is not certain of U.S.'s reasons for staying in Iraq and thus wants to bring its troops back. Despite disillusionment with America's foreign policy and its strategic allies, Australians have demonstrated significant support for ANZUS thus making this treaty important and lending greater support to U.S.-Australia security alliance.

"The fact that Rudd chose to visit the U.S. On his first visit abroad as the opposition leader, prior to becoming prime minister, signaled that, despite potential differences on Iraq and climate change, he views the U.S. strategic alliance to be of central importance to Australia. Rudd is generally viewed as part of the moderate element within the Labor party. Rudd may take a very active role in foreign policy given his former career in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Rudd may also place relatively more emphasis on the United Nations than Howard did." (Vaughn, 2008)

With Rudd government, there has been an on going debate on the subject of Australia's defense policy and its alliance with the U.S. And other allies. The debate involves "continental defense of Australia" and the need to keep its close ties with the U.S. For security reasons. But interestingly despite this debate and the many concerns, Australia has continued to maintain close ties with the U.S. And has shown great commitment to the clauses of ANZUS. "Despite this debate, there has been much continuity in practice, especially with regard to support for Australia's commitments to the Australia-New Zealand-United States (ANZUS) alliance." (Vaughn, 2008)

Australian has been concerned about its defense tactics, strategies and general defense of the country. This is one reason why U.S. has remained the cornerstone of its defense policy. The fact that Australian gives great deal of significance to its defense is evident from the fact that Minister of Defense, Joel Fitzgibbon, has asked the government to steadily increase defense funding and spending for another one decade. This will reportedly increase defense spending to 2.6% from 2% of GDP previously. (Vaughn, 2008)

The close connection with the United States is one thing that not only Australia needs but also cannot possibly afford to severe. This is because Australia has been a target of terrorism and security issues just as much as any other western country. While its own region has not faced any direct attacks, its citizens have been targeted around the world thus making Australia a potential target. "Australia's evolving strategy increasingly takes a global as well as regional view of threats to Australia. As a result, Australia is placing increasing importance on forces that are suitable for joint operations and expeditionary warfare at locations distant from Australia, such as Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as regional deployments in East Timor and the Solomon Islands. Australia has a close arms procurement relationship with the United States." (Vaughn, 2008) Australia understands its vulnerability and hence it has shown greater support for ANZUS and for U.S. military actions than other allies. During a visit to Australia in 2008, the then Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had shown appreciation for Australia's commitment to military action against terrorism. She said that Australian's support of U.S. action in Afghanistan was "tremendously appreciated" and said that, "there is no better friend for the United States than Australia."

It has been Australia's main aim to keep America engaged in Asia-Pacific because that is of vital importance to Australia. When we speak of ANZUS, there is one important thing to remember, Australia has become a focus of U.S. alliance and vice versa because during 1980s New Zeeland's nuclear policies had it excluded from ANZUS and since then the two other countries have been working on bilateral relations instead of trilateral. Since then, ANZUS has been replaced by a more bilateral Australian-U.S. Ministerial consultation (AUSMIN) which is now the key factor in U.S.-Australia defense relations.

Australia is in a unique situation when it comes to U.S. security alliance. This situation arises from the fact that Australia is located strategically in Asia-Pacific region while it maintains strong connection with U.S. administration. On the one hand, it would not want to deliberately hurt its relationship with the U.S. But on the other, it needs to decide how it would react to Sino-American conflicts because those conflicts directly affect the region that Australia must be most concerned about.