When Scott Morrison became Australia\u2019s prime minister three years ago, he insisted that the country could maintain close ties with China, its largest trading partner, while working with the United States, its main security ally.<\/p>\n
\u201cAustralia doesn\u2019t have to choose,\u201d he said in one of his first foreign policy speeches.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, Australia effectively chose. Following years of sharply deteriorating relations with Beijing, Australia announced a new defense agreement in which the United States and Britain would help it deploy nuclear-powered submarines, a major advance in Australian military strength.<\/p>\n
With its move to acquire heavy weaponry and top-secret technology, Australia has thrown in its lot with the United States for generations to come \u2014 a \u201cforever partnership,\u201d in Mr. Morrison\u2019s words. The agreement will open the way to deeper military ties and higher expectations that Australia would join any military conflict with Beijing.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a big strategic bet that America will prevail in its great-power competition with China and continue to be a dominant and stabilizing force in the Pacific even as the costs increase.<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n A real shift. https:\/\/t.co\/OKMth66g0w<\/a><\/p>\n — Andrew Sullivan (@sullydish) September 16, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \n