AGAINST COMPLACENCY: RISKS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE AUSTRALIA–US ALLIANCE Richard Fontaine October 2016 Table of contents The United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney deepens Australia’s understanding of the Foreword 01 United States through research, teaching and public Executive summary 02 engagement. Through rigorous analysis of American politics, foreign policy, economics, culture, and history, Introduction 04 the Centre has become a national resource, building Australia’s awareness of the dynamics shaping American An allied pivot to Asia 05 society — and critically — their implications for Australia. Against complacency: 07 The Centre’s Alliance 21 Program is a multi-year research Four risks to the alliance initiative that examines the historically strong Australia- United States relationship and works to address the Carpe occasionem: 14 challenges and opportunities ahead as the alliance Twelve alliance opportunities evolves in a changing Asia. The Australian Government and corporate partners Boral, Dow, News Corp Australia, The ostrich or the emu? 18 and Northrop Grumman Australia support the program’s second phase, which commenced in July 2015 and is The American election 19 focused on the following core research areas: defence and the Australian alliance and security; resource sustainability; alliance systems in Asia; and trade, investment, and business innovation. Endnotes 20 The Alliance 21 Program receives funding support from About the author 23 the following partners. Research conclusions are derived independently and authors represent their own view not those of the United States Studies Centre. United States Studies Centre Institute Building (H03) The University of Sydney NSW 2006 Alliance 21 Fellowship partner Australia Phone: +61 2 9351 7249 Email:
[email protected] Twitter: @ussc Website: ussc.edu.au UNITED STATES STUDIES CENTRE | ALLIANCE 21 PROGRAM AGAINST COMPLACENCY: RISKS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE AUSTRALIA-US ALLIANCE Foreword In November 2014 the White House announced the is the result of those deliberations.