Dr. David Mickler School of Social and Political Sciences Security Issues and Australian Foreign Policy National security National security is central to any government’s foreign policy objectives … “The first priority of government is the nation’s security” (PM Rudd 2008) = protection of population, territory, resources, infrastructure, way of life, from external (and internal) threats in ‘anarchical’ international environment. Major themes in Australia’s security • Australia’s geo-strategic ‘isolation’: ‘geography vs history’ (security) • Asia as historical source of insecurity • Need for ‘great and powerful friends’ • Globalisation and ‘new’ security threats In the past … • Defense against military attack by another state the primary concern • Security via British Empire until WWII • Shift to military alliance with USA: ANZUS Treaty 1951 • Cold War: tied to US global anti-communist security agenda Approaches to Australian defence (1) Forward defence: make contribution as ‘junior partner’ to the overseas wars of allies (as ‘insurance policy’). Global focus. (2) Continental defence: focus on defending Australian mainland from local threats. Regional focus. Contemporary global security environment • Less actual or potential traditional wars between states • Concerns about intra-state conflict and risks from ‘failed states’ • Globalisation and transnational security threats ‘New’ security issues for Australian gov’t • Transnational terrorism • Proliferation of WMD (+ terrorism) • Transnational organised crime • Global health pandemics • Climate change Australian gov’t foreign policy responses • Tighten border security • Forward defence: Iraq & Afghanistan • Intervention in regional ‘arc of instability’: East Timor & Solomon Islands • International cooperation (global, regional, bilateral) Key questions … • US alliance: enhance or undermine Australian national security? Defence self-reliance? • Impact of rise of China and India on international (& Australia’s) security? • Security focus: regional or global? • How to manage inter-dependent security in a globalised world? © Copyright The University of Melbourne 2008