Australia's Middle Power Security Strategy

Australia's Middle Power Behaviour and Identity

  • Emerged after World War II, defining Australia's international role and ambitions.
  • Significant involvement in diplomatic initiatives, reflecting a commitment to middle power diplomacy.
  • Core advocacy for multilateralism at both global and regional levels.

Historical Context

  • H.V. Evatt: Australia's External Affairs Minister (1941-1949).
    • Promoted liberal internationalist principles.
    • Played a pivotal role at the San Francisco conference (1945)
    • Elected first President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
  • Australia works to sustain a global liberal order post-World War II, embodied by UN institutions.

Multilateral Initiatives and Engagements

  • Engaged in various multilateral initiatives since the 1940s:
    • Support for disarmament processes.
    • Participation in peacekeeping and peace-building operations.
    • Advocacy for the Non-Proliferation Treaty and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.
  • Benefits from active support of multilateralism:
    • Increases diplomatic leverage.
    • Promotes international rules and principles ensuring security and prosperity.
  • At regional level:
    • Advocates for a rules-based regional order, emphasizing open regionalism, free trade, and economic integration.
    • Encourages regional dialogues and multilateral arrangements for practical outcomes.

Security Alliances and Partnerships

  • Australia, New Zealand, United States Security Treaty (ANZUS): Signed in September 1951.
    • Key part of the 'hub and spokes' model for U.S. alliances in the Asia-Pacific.
    • Relations with allied nations (Japan, South Korea, Philippines) pivotal to preserve U.S. interests.
  • Bilateral collective defence: includes U.S. commitment to assist Australia during external aggression.
  • Australia's deepening ties with the U.S. driven by:
    • Uncertain multi-polar structure in Asia-Pacific.
    • Emerging security environment, notably with rising China's assertiveness.

National Resources and Strategic Environment

  • High level of resource availability and relatively low-threat strategic environment.
  • Mix of functional and normative strategies in regional security policy.

Resource Availability

  • Australia has sufficient resources and capabilities to be classified as a middle power:
    • Economic Indicators:
    • 6th largest country globally in terms of surface area and GDP ranks 12th in the world, with high GDP per capita.
    • Abundant natural resources, advanced technology, competitive manufacturing sectors.
    • Population and Geography:
    • Less than one-third of 1% of the global population with vast exclusive economic zones.
  • Relatively resilient economy:
    • Avoided major financial crises mainly due to demand for resources from China.

Strategic Environment

  • Australia experiences limited direct security threats due to geographical remoteness.
  • Historically involved in various conflicts, shaping its strategic outlook.
  • Dennis Rumley's views:
    • Australia faces a benign geopolitical environment despite feelings of insecurity.

Military Capabilities and Strategic Concepts

  • Military Strategy:
    • High military expenditure and advanced technology, ranking in the top twenty worldwide.
    • Forward Defence vs. Continental Defence:
    • Forward Defence: Engage militarily overseas to ensure security.
    • Continental Defence: Focus on defending the continent itself.
  • Plans for military upgrades in response to shifting regional balances of power:
    • Deficiency in regional defense compared to rising Asian powers.
    • Significant upgrade in military capabilities planned with increased funding.

National Security Challenges

  • Terrorism:
    • Post-9/11 focus: Increased counter-terrorism funding and frameworks.
    • Involvement in international coalitions against groups like ISIS.
  • Transnational Crime:
    • Ongoing issues with smuggling, drug trafficking, and transnational crime networks.
  • Domestic Issues:
    • Rising concerns around illegal migration perceived as a national threat.

Regional Security Strategy

  • Core strategies driven by alliance with the United States.
  • Focus on counter-terrorism, peacekeeping, and peace-building operations, prioritizing stability in neighborhoods like Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands.
  • Specific initiatives such as INTERFET and RAMSI demonstrate Australia's active leadership role internationally.

Counter-Terrorism Response

  • Comprehensive measures taken post-9/11, including legislative changes and formation of partnerships.
  • Joint regional cooperation, notably with Indonesia, aimed at enhancing capacity against terrorist threats.
  • Critiques of approaches taken regarding simplifications about Islamic identity dynamics.

Peacekeeping Engagements

  • Extensive involvement in UN-led peacekeeping operations through the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
  • Prioritization indicated through Australia's leadership in INTERFET and Pacific missions like RAMSI, highlighting responses to regional instability.

Multilateralism

  • Long-standing advocacy for multilateral approaches within international organizations:
    • Contributions to treaties and frameworks like the Antarctic Treaty, Cambodian peace process, the UN, WTO, and G20.
  • Australia became a founding member of significant regional bodies such as APEC and ARF, yet encountered resistance and failures upon acting unilaterally, e.g., Australia's proposed Asia Pacific Community by Rudd.

Conclusion

  • Australia maintains its identity as a middle power through its diplomatic initiatives, military engagement, and active multilateral participation.
  • Balances firm alliances, notably with the U.S., alongside regional partnerships to navigate complexities in the Asia-Pacific.
  • Overall influence as a middle power challenges due to perceptions of being overly aligned with the U.S.