Author Description

With the end of the Cold War, Australian foreign relations stand at a crucial juncture. What role should the alliance with the United States play ina region dominated by the rise of Asia, and in a world in which security is understood as much in terms of economic potential as of armaments? How much reliance should be placed on global regimes, and what part should Australia play in the formation of Asia-Pacific collaborative arrangements? This volume details the response of the Australian foreign policy making community to the challenges facing the country as it looks to the 21st century. Comprehensive accounts are provided of Australias defence policy, Australias policies on disarmament and arms control, Australias place in the world economy, Australias contribution to dealing with international environmental problems, and Australias vital bi-lateral relationships. The major focus of the book is on Australias policy of engagement with Asia. For the past five decades, the Australian Institute of International Affairs survey series, Australia in World Affairs, has been regarded as the authoritative account of Australian foreign policy making. This volume continues that tradition, and will be of interest to students of international relations, political science, history, and Asian studies.