Broader Criticisms of the Australia/US Alliance

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Broader Criticisms of the Australia/US Alliance

 

There are a number of arguments that are used to criticize Australia's alliance with the United States. Some of these arguments include:

 

  •          The alliance is unequal, with the United States shouldering a disproportionate share of the burden.
  •          The alliance is outdated and no longer serves Australia's interests in the 21st century.
  •          The alliance has led Australia into unnecessary wars, such as the Iraq War.
  •          The alliance has damaged Australia's relations with other countries, such as China.
  •          The alliance is too dependent on the United States, which is a declining power.
  •          The alliance is not in line with Australia's values, such as its commitment to nuclear disarmament.

 

The main critics of Australia's alliance with the United States are a diverse group of people with a variety of political views. Some of the most prominent critics include:

 

    1.  Paul Keating: Former Prime Minister of Australia (1991-1996). Keating has been a vocal critic of the alliance, arguing that it is outdated and no longer serves Australia's interests. He has also criticized the alliance for leading Australia into unnecessary wars, such as the Iraq War. Paul Keating has written extensively on the Australia-US alliance in which he has argued that the alliance is no longer as relevant as it once was, and that Australia should focus more on its own interests and less on those of the United States.[1] He has also criticized the United States for its unilateralism and its tendency to drag Australia into its wars. In 2016 Keating said, "What we have to do is make our way in Asia ourselves, with an independent foreign policy."[2]

    2. Bob Carr: Former Foreign Minister of Australia (2007-2010). Carr has also been a critic of the alliance, arguing that it is too dependent on the United States, which is a declining power. He has also called for Australia to develop a more independent foreign policy and once described AUKUS submarine purchases as a “naive overreach”.[3] He also said that Australia “is gullible” about the relationship with the United States.[4]

    3. Hugh White: Professor of Strategic Studies at the Australian National University. White is a leading expert on Australian foreign policy. He has argued that the alliance is no longer necessary to protect Australia from its traditional enemies, such as China. He has also argued that the alliance is damaging Australia's relations with China. Hugh White is a former Deputy Secretary of Australia's Department of Defence and is now a professor of strategic studies at the Australian National University. He is the author of several books on Australian foreign policy, including “Power Shift: Australia's Future Between Washington and Beijing”[5] and “Without America: Australia in the New Asia”[6]. In these books, he argues that the Australia-US alliance is no longer sustainable in the long term and that Australia needs to develop a more independent foreign policy. White wrote an article for the Lowy Institute in 2022 in which he argued that the alliance was "a liability"[7].

      4.       The Australian Greens: The Australian Greens are a political party that is committed to non-violence and nuclear disarmament. The Greens have been critical of the alliance, arguing that it is not in line with their values. It is Greens policy to “Renegotiate the US alliance and let Parliament decide whether we go to war to prevent us from being dragged into senseless violence and conflict”[8] and they state: ”Australia’s alliance with the USA makes it more prone to foreign attack, not safer from it.”[9]


      5      The Australian Left: The Australian Left is a broad coalition of political groups that are generally critical of the United States. The Left has been critical of the alliance, arguing that it is a tool of US imperialism. See 

·         "AUKUS and the US alliance: Australian imperialism in the Indo-Pacific" Marxist Left Review[10]

·         "AUKUS agreement is a noose around Australia’s neck, leading us to war " by The Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN) 2023[11]

·         "Our Exceptional Friend - Australia's Fatal Alliance with the United States”[12] by Emma Shortis (2021)

6    Sam Roggeveen, the director of the Lowy Institute’s international security program, who has been commentating on foreign affairs and strategic issues for over 15 years, has written an essay in the latest edition of the Australian Foreign Affairs journal suggests that deepening alliance with the US could make it the target of a Chinese nuclear attack.[13] He argues that:

                                 i.            Australia should not be acquiring nuclear-powered submarines;

                               ii.            the nation does not need long-range missiles to deter an attack by China;

                             iii.            defence spending does not need to substantially increase;

                             iv.            our deepening ties with the US are making us less safe;

                               v.            Australia must prepare for a future in which the safety blanket of the US alliance is effectively pulled back in a “hesitant and gradual process of separation triggered by America’s declining interest and motivation to protect Australia”. While China’s rise to superpower status will challenge America’s national pride, he argues that it does not threaten its core security interests.

 


[1] Hurst, Daniel (10 November 2021). "'Throwing toothpicks at the mountain': Paul Keating says AUKUS submarines plan will have no impact on China". The Guardian; "Former Australian PM Paul Keating criticises Liz Truss over 'demented' China comments". The Guardian. 24 January 2022; Karp, Paul (15 March 2023). "Paul Keating labels AUKUS submarine pact 'worst deal in all history' in attack on Albanese government". The Guardian.

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