EVENT: Girt by Sea: Finding security in Australia’s maritime domains
Aug 6, 2024
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In a thought-provoking discussion, Rebecca Strating and Joanne Wallis, experts in international relations and security, dive into their book on Australia’s maritime domains. They challenge traditional views on national security, emphasizing the importance of reevaluating Australia's strategic identity. Topics include the implications of Australia’s position in the Asia-Pacific, the need for transparency in defense policies amid rising tensions, and the call for inclusivity that integrates First Nations perspectives into foreign policy decisions.
Australia's maritime security challenges require a reimagined approach that considers its geographical context and strategic maritime domains.
Historical perspectives of insecurity in Australia highlight the need to redefine national identity and foster regional partnerships for better security.
A nuanced understanding of the Indo-Pacific region is essential for Australia's foreign policy, moving beyond traditional ally-adversary dynamics.
Deep dives
Rethinking Australian Security
The discussion revolves around the concept of reimagining Australia's security by investigating six maritime domains surrounding the continent. This perspective allows for a nuanced approach to understanding Australian foreign and defense policy, moving beyond conventional ideas that often promote a sense of maritime blindness. The authors, having worked on projects related to maritime issues and sea level rise, combine their expertise to critique existing national security assumptions, emphasizing the need for public engagement in these essential debates. By adopting a maritime lens, they seek to highlight Australia's unique geographical positioning and its implications for national security, urging a more comprehensive understanding of the diverse regions Australia interacts with.
Geography and Strategic Imagination
The significance of geography is highlighted as a critical factor that shapes Australia's strategic imagination. Histories of settler colonialism and the country's position in relation to its neighbors contribute to a persistent struggle in defining national identity and security perceptions. There is a notion of insecurity rooted in the foundational moments of Australian history, as leaders historically perceived neighboring countries as threats rather than allies. This ongoing disconnect emphasizes the need for a reevaluation of how Australians perceive themselves within the broader Indo-Pacific region, encouraging an imaginative approach to assert a more cohesive national identity.
The Symbolism of Strategic Personas
The authors discuss contrasting representations of Australia's strategic persona, using the examples of Crocodile Dundee versus Ash Barty to illustrate the country's evolving identity. While Crocodile Dundee embodies a rugged, aggressive archetype, the Ash Barty model emphasizes humility, teamwork, and adaptability, which aligns more closely with contemporary international relations. This analogy drives home the belief that Australia must strive to project a more humble and collaborative image in its foreign engagement strategies, countering the misconceptions of Australia as a dominant power. By supporting a security personality that fosters regional partnerships, Australia can shift its narrative from aggression to inclusivity, reflecting its cultural diversity.
Addressing Sea Blindness
The term 'sea blindness' is emblematic of Australia's historical neglect of its vast maritime boundaries and their associated security implications. The authors argue that Australia has often focused on continental security, overlooking its position as a significant maritime trading nation with extensive economic zones. This oversight has led to deficiencies in naval capabilities and a lack of representation and understanding in defense planning. However, recent developments, including engagements within AUKUS, reflect a growing awareness within Australia's defense community of the need to prioritize maritime security in strategic discussions.
Navigating Geopolitical Complexity
Australia's foreign policy needs to navigate complex geopolitical dynamics within the Indo-Pacific region, characterized by varying degrees of alignment and differing threat perceptions among neighboring countries. The authors emphasize a shift from a binary model of allies and adversaries to a more nuanced understanding of regional players, acknowledging that many nations may pursue hedging strategies rather than outright alignment. This reality calls for Australia to build respect and mutual understanding with a diverse range of partners instead of relying solely on traditional allies like the United States. Embracing this complexity can enhance Australia's diplomatic relationships and support for a more resilient security architecture tailored to contemporary regional challenges.
What do the maritime security challenges close to Australia mean for the country's future?
We were joined in discussion with Rebecca Strating and Joanne Wallis on their new book Girt by Sea: Reimagining Australia's Security, which looks at six maritime domains central to the country's national interests and offers an alternative vision for how Australia should understand its strategic challenges.
The authors discussed their reasons for reimagining how Australia should understand its strategic challenges, focusing on finding security in the north seas (the Timor, Arafura and Coral Seas and the Torres Strait), the Western Pacific, the South China Sea, the South Pacific, the Indian Ocean, and the Southern Ocean.
Rebecca Strating and Joanne Wallis spoke in conversation with Hervé Lemahieu, Director of Research at the Lowy Institute.
Professor Rebecca Strating is the Director of La Trobe Asia and a Professor of International Relations at La Trobe University, Melbourne. Her research focuses primarily on Asian regional security, maritime disputes, and Australian foreign and defence policy.
Professor Joanne Wallis is Professor of International Security in the Department of Politics and International Relations, and Director of the Security in the Pacific Islands research program, at the University of Adelaide. She is also a Nonresident Senior Fellow of the Brookings Institution.
