Dead in the Water: The AUKUS Delusion

Dead in the Water: The AUKUS Delusion explores Canberra's strategic illusions as the ultimate cause of the AUKUS debacle, intertwined with political factors, as noted by Hugh White.

The twentieth issue of Australian Foreign Affairs delves into Australia's seismic decision to establish a security pact with the United States and the United Kingdom. This pact includes a bold, costly, and risky initiative to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, a move with profound military and strategic implications.

Dead in the Water questions whether AUKUS will bolster or weaken Australia's security amidst escalating tensions between China and the US, examines the impact of the deal on Australia's regional relationships, and speculates on the likelihood of the submarines' actual arrival.

Key contributions include:

• Hugh White scrutinises whether Australia truly requires nuclear-powered submarines and whether the AUKUS plan will succeed in delivering them.
• Susannah Patton discusses lessons for Australia drawn from regional reactions to AUKUS.
• Elizabeth Buchanan analyses how Australia might leverage its strategic geography to fortify ties with AUKUS allies and other partners.
• Andrew Davies contrasts the advantages of nuclear-powered submarines against the expenses associated with their acquisition and maintenance.
• Herve Lemahieu proposes that Australia could pursue the establishment of a common travel area and an integrated digital marketplace with the Pacific.
• Jack Corbett evaluates the economic strategies available to Solomon Islands in an age of significant global power contention.

Plus, the book features Paul Monk's insights on Australia's military stance, correspondence on AFA19, The New Domino Theory from Albert Zhang and Jieh-Yung Lo, and additional material.