Australia and New Zealand from Alliance to Realignment

Sino-American debates about the emerging security order in the Asia-Pacific region have not paid enough attention to the perspectives of lesser powers. Among them, Australia and New Zealand, as developed nations increasingly integrated with Asia, are potentially most influential. A historical analysis of their different yet complementary security perceptions and policies suggests diminishing relevance of traditional security structures in the post-Cold War international environment. In the Asia-Pacific region, the established US-centered bilateral alliances are expedient for upholding the status quo, but less so for managing the necessary change. Australia has been at the forefront of promoting the growth of new multilateral regional structures, based on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), whereas New Zealand has been most successful in developing mutually satisfying relations with China. As desirable strategic partners of both China and the United States, the two middle powers are best suited to promoting a realignment based on common economic interests and values, rather than on balance of power, thus bridging the supposed gap between 'Asian' and 'Western' values. A Trans-Pacific Partnership including China may eventually become a centerpiece of regional realignment that could serve not only trade but also security by ensuring increasing interaction and understanding among people at all levelsaEuro center dot the best safeguard against a slide to military rivalry.