2008 Woodie Awards
Foreign Affairs
America has a little brother?
Tim Granitz
Issue date: 3/28/08 Section: News
Few Americans have heard of the Australia, New Zealand, United States Security Treaty, but, for Australians, the treaty is vital. It has helped limit some of the media bashing currently being thrown at the U.S. by providing us with a well-respected ally.
The ANZUS Treaty is a tool the U.S. possesses that allows us entry into the South Pacific and Southeast Asia. Sadly, despite being a political science major, I had never heard of the treaty prior to arriving at the Gold Coast. It was enough to make me think that maybe all of those optional readings should have received at least a few minutes of my attention.
As a result, in my first Australian politics class, I was in for a rude awakening. The class focused on the ANZUS Treaty, which in its most basic definition states that Australia, New Zealand-who has since removed itself from the treaty-and the U.S. will be defensive allies in the event that any of the others are attacked.
The treaty was first signed in 1951, signaling the official switch of Australian allegiance to the United States rather than Britain. Though devised in 1951, the treaty was never used until 50 years later, in 2001.
Clearly, Australia has the hegemony in its region and has worked to interact increasingly with its neighbors through former Prime Minister John Howard's plan for Asian engagement. Having such a stable ally has been extremely helpful for the United States and led to the demise of John Howard, who became seen as President George W. Bush's little brother.
Right now, many of you are probably wondering why I am still rambling about this treaty that sat dormant for the first 50 years of its existence. It is significant because Howard happened to be in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 11, 2001, having met Bush the day before. Howard would later say he had never been more impacted by any action in his 30-year political career than on Sept. 11. The emotional impact he felt led him to put the ANZUS Treaty into action. He said the Australian government would do as the U.S. saw fit for its defenses.
Australia followed through on this decision by committing troops to both Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as being heavily involved in its own region. Australia effectively provided the down payment on the treaty. As a result, the U.S. now must fulfill the treaty, should Australia be attacked.
However, we have been less than fulfilling. Australia was struck with violence one year after Sept. 11, when 88 Australians were killed on Oct. 12, 2002, in the Bali bombings.
The U.S. response was to help with intelligence and logistics. Howard pleaded for U.S. boots to be on their soil but eventually backed off his request. I guess we forgot momentarily that Australia sent troops into combat with us.
Howard became known as the deputy sheriff of the region and started cleaning up terrorism in Australia's own backyard. We had essentially left our defensive ally out in the cold when it needed us the most, although Australia had done all that we asked.
As Americans, I think it's time we start reminding ourselves who stuck with us the past few years and who pledged their full support in the defense of our nation. Australia is getting the raw end of a deal that was supposed to be mutually beneficial.
Tim Granitz is a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences, studying in Gold Coast, Australia.
The ANZUS Treaty is a tool the U.S. possesses that allows us entry into the South Pacific and Southeast Asia. Sadly, despite being a political science major, I had never heard of the treaty prior to arriving at the Gold Coast. It was enough to make me think that maybe all of those optional readings should have received at least a few minutes of my attention.
As a result, in my first Australian politics class, I was in for a rude awakening. The class focused on the ANZUS Treaty, which in its most basic definition states that Australia, New Zealand-who has since removed itself from the treaty-and the U.S. will be defensive allies in the event that any of the others are attacked.
The treaty was first signed in 1951, signaling the official switch of Australian allegiance to the United States rather than Britain. Though devised in 1951, the treaty was never used until 50 years later, in 2001.
Clearly, Australia has the hegemony in its region and has worked to interact increasingly with its neighbors through former Prime Minister John Howard's plan for Asian engagement. Having such a stable ally has been extremely helpful for the United States and led to the demise of John Howard, who became seen as President George W. Bush's little brother.
Right now, many of you are probably wondering why I am still rambling about this treaty that sat dormant for the first 50 years of its existence. It is significant because Howard happened to be in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 11, 2001, having met Bush the day before. Howard would later say he had never been more impacted by any action in his 30-year political career than on Sept. 11. The emotional impact he felt led him to put the ANZUS Treaty into action. He said the Australian government would do as the U.S. saw fit for its defenses.
Australia followed through on this decision by committing troops to both Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as being heavily involved in its own region. Australia effectively provided the down payment on the treaty. As a result, the U.S. now must fulfill the treaty, should Australia be attacked.
However, we have been less than fulfilling. Australia was struck with violence one year after Sept. 11, when 88 Australians were killed on Oct. 12, 2002, in the Bali bombings.
The U.S. response was to help with intelligence and logistics. Howard pleaded for U.S. boots to be on their soil but eventually backed off his request. I guess we forgot momentarily that Australia sent troops into combat with us.
Howard became known as the deputy sheriff of the region and started cleaning up terrorism in Australia's own backyard. We had essentially left our defensive ally out in the cold when it needed us the most, although Australia had done all that we asked.
As Americans, I think it's time we start reminding ourselves who stuck with us the past few years and who pledged their full support in the defense of our nation. Australia is getting the raw end of a deal that was supposed to be mutually beneficial.
Tim Granitz is a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences, studying in Gold Coast, Australia.
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