<< Left to Right - Aus Minister for Defence: David Johnston, US Secretary of State: John Kerry, Aus Minister for Foreign Affairs: Julie Bishop, and US Secretary of Defense: Chuck Hagel
By Kevin Placek
An annual ministerial-level meeting underscores the growing strength of ties between Washington and Canberra.
As the annual Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) took place in Sydney earlier this week, there was no shortage of geopolitical flashpoints for officials to talk about. Russia has been quietly amassing troops along its border with Ukraine, Islamic State jihadists continue to commit violent acts of extremism in Northern Iraq, and renewed conflict between Israel and Palestine remains a constant possibility. Amid this potential instability, it is perhaps a reflection of the strength of the Australia-U.S. alliance that most of the media coverage had to do with how the two countries would respond to these and other global security challenges. But beyond the headlines were a number of important bilateral developments for what is arguably one of the closest strategic partnerships in the Asia-Pacific.
AUSMIN brings together foreign and defense ministers from both countries to survey and map out the long-term strategic direction of the bilateral relationship. Top of the agenda this year was defense and security cooperation. The ministers signed the Force Posture Agreement, which was first announced in early 2011, creating a legal framework for the rotational deployment of up to 2,500 U.S. Marines to Darwin where they will conduct military exercises and training with their Australian counterparts. This also includes increased rotations of U.S. aircraft through Northern Australia in order to facilitate closer collaboration between the U.S. and Royal Australian Air Forces.
Read the full story at The Diplomat