In this gripping latest Quarterly Essay, Sleepwalk to War: Australia’s Unthinking Alliance with America, Hugh White explores Australia’s fateful choice to back America to the hilt and oppose China.
What led both sides of politics to align with America so absolutely? Is this a case of sleepwalking to war? What tests might a new government face?
“Canberra’s rhetoric helps raise the risk of the worst outcome for Australia: a war between China and America, in which we are likely to be involved. Over the past decade, and without any serious discussion, Australian governments have come to believe that America should go to war with China if necessary to preserve US primacy in Asia, and that Australia should, as a matter of course, go to war with it.” (Hugh White)
White assesses America’s credibility and commitment, by examining AUKUS, the Quad, Trump and Biden. He discusses what the Ukraine conflict tells us about the future. And he argues that the US can neither contain China nor win a war over Taiwan. So where does this leave our future security and prosperity in Asia? Is there a better way to navigate the disruption caused by China’s rise?
Join Hugh in conversation with Katherine Manstead as they discuss this powerful and original essay.
Tickets: $10
A friendly suggestion for the safety and well-being of yourself and other patrons that although face masks are not required, they are strongly encouraged while attending the event.
Guest Speakers
Hugh White is the author of The China Choice and How To Defend Australia, and the acclaimed Quarterly Essays Power Shift and Without America. He is emeritus professor of strategic studies at ANU and was the principal author of Australia’s Defence White Paper 2000.
Katherine Mansted is a Senior Fellow in the Practice of National Security at the ANU National Security College. She is also the Director of Cyber Intelligence at Australia’s largest independent cyber security services company, CyberCX. Previously, she led the ANU National Security College’s Public Policy team. Katherine regularly briefs government, business and public audiences on national security and technology policy issues, including cyber security, information geopolitics and foreign interference. Her work has been featured in Foreign Affairs, The Strategist, The Australian and on ABC Radio National, and she has testified before parliamentary committees including the Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security.