Australia's Strategic Posture: A Change in Spatial Orientation under the Howard Government

Australia's evolving strategic posture in the Asia-Pacific region, since March, 1996 when the Howard Government was first elected is examined and discussed: Specifically, the following three geopolitical policies are addressed: 1) In what direction, politically and spatially, has the Howard Government taken Australian defense policy? Specifically, the increased importance placed on the U.S. alliance and the concept of " Forward Cooperation;" 2) Is the Howard Government's defense policy well suited to address Australia's security needs in the rapidly changing geopolitical environment of the Asia-Pacific region; 3) Do the Howard Government's policy initiatives represent continuity or departure for Australian defense policy? The conclusion reached is that the Howard Government's defense policy initiatives are not a radical departure but rather a logical continuation of previous policies taking into account the new regional and global realities.