The Australia-US alliance: a cost/benefit analysis

Key Points It is time for a hard-headed cost/benefit analysis of the US Alliance. Any such analysis should include the following questions: Does the Alliance create more problems than it solves? In the Indo-Pacific Region, do we want a balance between the US and China, or US dominance? What intelligence do we get from the US that would still be needed without the Alliance?   Summary The American alliance is an article of faith in Australia because it is said to underpin our security. There have been many reviews and White Papers but perhaps it is time for a hard-headed cost/benefit analysis. Here I consider some of the questions that must be asked.   About the Author Cavan Hogue was Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative when Australia was last on the United Nations Security Council. He has also served as head of mission in Mexico, Kuala Lumpur, Moscow and Bangkok, as well as holding senior positions in other posts and in Canberra. He is now an Adjunct Professor in International Communication at Macquarie University, Sydney