By Rory Medcalf
Is military diplomacy a contradiction in terms? Not according to two prominent Australians, who have recently been talking up the prospects for bilateral and multilateral military exercises as a way of managing security tensions in Asia.
Recently former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd outlined a roadmap for security cooperation in Asia, especially between China and the United States. This was one of his most clear and thoughtful speeches – a pity he had not given it while in power – and emphasized the need for practical confidence-building measures and cooperation between the U.S. and Chinese militaries.
Then at the end of December, Australia’s serving defense force chief, General David Hurley, gave an interview in which he discussed the possibility that Australia would host joint exercises with Chinese forces, and possibly also trilaterally with the Americans, as a way to build habits of communication and predictability. This followed a bilateral exercise off the coast of Sydney with three visiting Chinese ships, building on earlier drills in 2007 and 2010.
The idea that constructive interactions like this can build trust and reduce risks of conflict is a fine one. Australia has long been active in using its defense force, especially its navy, as a diplomatic influence multiplier, and is unusually well-suited to act as a convener and location for such activities. This need not only be with its American ally and the Chinese but also with other Asian maritime players with which Canberra has good or improving defense ties, notably Indonesia, Japan and India.
Read the full story at The Diplomat