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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2012-11-23 02:52 am (UTC)Australian foreign policy is almost 100% "let's suck up to the USA in the hope that they'll bail us out if the shit hits the fan [1]". It used to be the same policy with the British Empire substituted for the USA, but the fall of Singapore put an end to that.
OTOH, everyone with a knowledge of modern history knows that the USA can be relied upon to act purely in its own self interest nearly 100% of the time (just like virtually every other country) [2].
[1] Because we recognise that Australia probably does not have a sufficient population or economic base [3] to defend such a large continent (chock-full of valuable mineral resources, and located in a rather unstable bit of the world) against a competently planned invasion. We can't defend ourselves with the military, so we try to do it with diplomats. The main role of the Australian military is essentially being hired out as mercenaries to the USA in exchange for diplomatic favour.
[2] If defending "freedom" is in alignment with US political and economic interests, then the 101st Airborne is on the way. If it isn't, then if you're lucky they won't show up at all. If you're not lucky, they'll show up on the other side.
[3] For an example of the limitations of Australian military power: there are more people in the USMC _reserve_ then there are in the entire Australian Defence Force.