Can We Trust America? Our closest ally in the time of COVID

The US is entering a new era, in which it is no longer the world’s unrivalled superpower. What will it mean for allies like Australia?

The ANU Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs and Australian Foreign Affairs hosted an important discussion on Australia’s closest ally in the time of COVID, as its dominance in the Asia-Pacific faces challenge from China and its “America First” foreign policy marks a shift away from global engagement.

Lead contributors to issue 8 of Australian Foreign Affairs Brendan Taylor, Kelly Magsamen and Michael Wesley were joined by the US Studies Centre’s Gorana Grgic to take a hard look at the changing status of the United States.

Panellists:

Brendan Taylor is a Professor of Strategic Studies and Deputy Director of the Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs. He specialises in great power strategic relations in the Asia-Pacific, economic sanctions and regional security architecture.
Michael Wesley is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor International at The University of Melbourne. He has extensive experience in international strategy and relations. Previously, Professor Wesley was Dean of the College of Asia and the Pacific at the Australian National University.
Gorana Grgic is a jointly appointed Lecturer at the Department of Government and International Relations as well as at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney.
Kelly Magsamen is the Vice President for National Security and International Policy at the Center for American Progress. Prior to this, she was Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs, as well as holding various other national security positions.

Moderator: Jonathan Pearlman, editor of Australian Foreign Affairs .

This event was brought to you by the ANU Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs and Australian Foreign Affairs.