By Eddie Walsh
Late last month, Australian Defence Minister Stephen Smith gave a luncheon speech at the Brookings Institution in Washington. He addressed a number of key issues, including the 60th anniversary of the Australia-US alliance, the rise of India, China and the Association of 
Southeast Asian nations, and ongoing joint military operations in Afghanistan. However, as Benjamin Reilly, visiting professor at the Johns Hopkins University SAIS, observed, one of his most important points raised failed to garner much attention: Smith’s assertion that Australia continues to serve as the ‘southern anchor’ for US defence policy in the Asia-Pacific.
Southeast Asian nations, and ongoing joint military operations in Afghanistan. However, as Benjamin Reilly, visiting professor at the Johns Hopkins University SAIS, observed, one of his most important points raised failed to garner much attention: Smith’s assertion that Australia continues to serve as the ‘southern anchor’ for US defence policy in the Asia-Pacific.Read the full story at The Diplomat