Response to Michael Wesley’s “Dangerous Proximity” Image Credit: Lance Cpl. Nicholas Filca / US Marine Corps

Response to Michael Wesley’s “Dangerous Proximity”

Correspondence

Michael Wesley’s essay in AFA4: Defending Australia, “Dangerous Proximity”, is a pleasure to read. However, some of his judgements are made too confidently, and some internal contradictions in the piece are confusing.

Michael’s article is a reminder that for decades Australia has lacked a national security strategy beyond hoping that a “great and powerful friend” will come to the rescue in the event of conflict. In retrospect, this approach worked. But I agree that it is no longer viable when the Indo-Pacific is emerging as one of the most important theatres of great power competition.

AFA5 Are We Asian Yet?

The full article from Are We Asian Yet?: History vs Geography is only available to subscribers.

Get full digital access to AFA back issues and three upcoming issues from just $29.99.

Login or subscribe to read.