Defense Relations between Australia and Indonesia in the Post-Cold War Era

by Bilveer Singh

Overview

Recent years have seen dramatic shifts in the nature of Australian-Indonesian relations, and this in turban has had a great impact on the strategic partnership that had gradually come into existence between the two regional powers. Against the backdrop of rapid strategic, political, economic, social, and technological changes occurring on a global scale, Australian foreign policy efforts at cooperation with its largest and nearest Asian neighbor have changed as well—largely as a result of domestic political considerations. Reaching a high point under Prime Minister Keating, defense relations soured considerably and suddenly after 1999. Singh provides a non-partisan account of the shift from partnership to cold peace and an examination of how it has affected the bilateral, regional, and global security environment.

The Indonesian public and political elite have become hostile toward Australia as a result of her perceived role in the birth of an independent East Timor. Indonesians are also increasingly suspicious of Australian intensions toward their own country, with many believing that Canberra would like to repeat its East Timor success in Papua, thereby leading to the disintegration of Indonesia itself. John Howard's pro-Western policies are also viewed as a returban to Australian projection of itself as a Western outpost on the fringes of Asia. As the strategic cooperation between the two nations has faltered, it has had tremendous implications for the defense and security outlook of both powers. The world cannot afford to ignore this possible threat to regional stability.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313322266
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	09/30/2002
Series:	Contributions in Military Studies , #220
Pages:	216
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

BILVEER SINGH is Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at the National University of Singapore.

Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction: Geopolitics as the Driving Force
Indonesia in Australia's Strategic Thinking, 1945-1990
Australia-Indonesia Defense Relations: The Record
Keating's Engagement of Indonesia
Howard's Management of Indonesia
Changing Australian-Indonesian Defense Relations and their Impact on Bilateral and Regional Relations
Conclusion
Appendices
Bibliography
Index