Dimensions
128 x 187 x 14mm
Australia’s foreign policy has long been overshadowed in our history by our anxiety about national defence. Over time, the way a state uses force to protect its interests begins to shape its national identity. Australia developed an ardent military tradition based on expeditions abroad, while being incapable of undertaking a primary responsibility of nationhood, which is to look after yourself. Foreign policy was hampered by being required always to ensure that it did not upset those great and powerful friends, first Britain and then the United States.
This book is written to enhance Australia’s alliance with the United States, not to undermine it. It recognises, however, that the military connection has a fatal attraction for each of us. Fatal Attraction is an inquiry into Australian foreign policy, prompted by the contemporary events of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the intervention in Afghanistan and the war in Iraq. In light of these events, it is appropriate to raise the issue of how Australia should manage its military alliance with the United States, further, what role should the armed forces of states, especially powerful states, have in constructing peace and prosperity for the world’s people in the 21st century.
