The Australia—New Zealand–US Alliance

Abstract

This chapter seeks to show that the US alliance with Australia and New Zealand has undergone significant change from the Cold War, when it was focused on a balance of power role. The US alliance with Australia in particular manifests an increasing management of power role — in terms of operations, capabilities, as well as US posture — since the end of the Cold War. Like the other alliances studied herein, the US—Australia security relationship too has taken on a global applicability. A further sign of increasing alliance management of power roles is strengthening ties between the United States and New Zealand, which deteriorated following New Zealand’s decision in 1985 to block port visits by US vessels that refused to certify whether or not they were carrying nuclear weapons. The chapter concludes with reflections on whether and how alliance dynamics will be affected by the evolving Asia-Pacific security situation.