Australia in Southeast Asia: Interests, Capacity, and Acceptability.

This study considers factors that may impact on enlarged roles for Australia in contributing to security in Southeast Asia, in the context of potential reductions in US unilateral responsibilities for Southeast Asian security. It examines traditional Australian assumptions regarding security in the Southeast Asia region, Australian-US relations, Australias material capabilities in fields related to defense, and the attitudes of the main political parties and related interest groups toward Southeast Asian security. Particular attention is given to aspects of the Australian economy in relation to Southeast Asia, including trade and the patterns of the Australian foreign assistance program and Australias exports to other Asian countries. The study also examines the Australian diplomatic record in Southeast Asia, emphasizing the widespread acceptability so far given to Australian roles, including its UN record, and concludes with an assessment of the extent to which Australian domestic considerations and Australian-US relations may support meaningful contributions in the future. Author