The Australia-US relationship: its place in our histories in the context of Asia

06 August 2008

Professor Hugh White

One hundred years ago this year the Great White fleet sailed into Sydney harbor to a rapturous reception from Australian's hoping that America would protect us from the threats we feared from rising economic giants in Asia. In 1941 that hope come true. Today Australians still regards American primacy in Asia as the foundation of their security, and they have become perhaps Americas most consistent and supportive ally as a result. But our relationships with Asia has changed a lot since then, and the choices that Australians will face in the Asian Century may be more complex than those we make back in 1908, or in 1941. How do Australian see their relationship with the US today, and how might it evolve over the decades to come?  

Broad Topics: Asia and the Pacific, Business and Economics

Sub-topics: History & Archeology, International Business, Policy & Political Science

Areas: ANU College of Asia and the Pacific

Professor Hugh White, Head of the Strategic and Defence Centre, ANU College of Asia and the Pacific