Preserving the knowledge edge: Surveillance cooperation and the US-Australia alliance in Asia

The US-Australia alliance is the bedrock of Australia's defence policy. Successive governments have looked to the alliance for access to military technology, intelligence and training, as well as a promise of support against direct threats to Australia. Over the past 60 years, Australia has been a main beneficiary of America's efforts to preserve a rules-based global order. However, Australia, the US and other regional allies today face a rapidly changing strategic environment in the Indo-Pacific. The American 'rebalance' to Asia represents recognition by the US that it needs to give greater priority to its management of the changing balance - an effort firmly endorsed by President Obama in his address at the University of Queensland. The military element of this effort is likely to be an impost on US resources at least as great as the combat operations in the Middle East.This report was commisioned by ASP