US/Australia Alliance

1. Who is Steven Smith and what important role does he play for the Australian Government?
   Steven Smith is the Australian Minister of Defense. He controls the Department of Defense and the Australian Defense Force.
   
2. What is the Brookings Institution where Mr. Smith delivered his speech?
   It is a non-profit public policy organization which allows speakers to talk to an audience
   
3. What role does the Australia/US Alliance play in Australia's 'strategic and security arrangements'?
   Australia/US alliance allows our safety within the Asia-Pacific region as the US has sighted their location within Asia-Pacific as priority and as a strategic location against China if they become aggressive.
   
4. What is important about Australia's global location for this alliance?
   Our location provides a easy US stronghold as Asia has obviously become a center of economic/political and military positions.
   
5. What contributions has Australia made to this alliance for the last 50 years?
   Australia has hosted or co-hosted key US national security measures throughout their sensitive/critical strategic locations. "These include systems related to intelligence collection, ballistic-missile early warning, submarine communications, and satellite-based communications."
6. What did the minister say about the Australian companies who do business with the US?
   Our companies regularly do business with the US which includes high wages and also benefits our economy. We are an indispensable ally to the US with our strong economy and strategic location.
   
7. Why does the minister point out this information about this company? What does it highlight about the relationship between Australia and the US?
   The minister said,"We are not a consumer of US security who imposes tough choices on the US military and US public policy. We value-add, and we do so from a vantage point of respect, not dependency." This implies that we are a strong ally and don't ask or take much in return for the US's help
   
8. What is the country central to Australia's relationships in the region?
   China is the central country
   
9. What is Australia trying to foster with this country?
   Australia is trying to foster a peaceful nature for China to evolve in so that it does not become excessively aggressive when it becomes a even larger superpower
   
10. Why do you think that this is important to Australia?
    It maintains our safety in the region as we are close to China and can be attacked at any time without warning. It also keeps us aware of possible attacks or threats in the region.
    

1. What is the US planning on locating in Australia? Where? Why?
   US is planning to put their military hardware and personnel within Australia, especially in Woomera. This is to place troops and allow them to train in Australian training camps such as Shoalwater Bay.
   
2. What implications does this have on the coordination between Australian and American forces?
   It can allow the coordination of US/Australian forces within the Asia-Pacific region aswell as the possibility of further Aid to countries affected by natural disasters. It also allows for the technological advancements in our sometimes troubled navy, especially underwater.