Publication

Australia’s security has long depended upon a robust US military presence in the Western Pacific but America’s pre-eminence is under challenge with the rise of China. This paper analyzes the options for an increase of US military presence in the Asia-Pacific region and the implications of this for Australia. For Australia, the authors argue, the presence of US forces is about much more than just their physical presence. It is about declaring the national strategic intent in the burgeoning Sino-US competition in the Asia-Pacific.