Australia, ANZUS and rising China: can Melos have cake and eat it too?

This paper by Brigadier Tony Rawlins examines the wisdom of Australia's contemporary mindset, that middle‐ power Australia can moderate and influence the US and China to national advantage, against Thucydides' classic realist backdrop that the strong do as they can while the weak adjust accordingly. The paper contemplates whether Australia is destined to repeat the folly of the Melians, in relying on arguments of logic and pragmatism from an impartial 'middle ground', while ANZUS looms large as clear testament to Australia's true alignment.

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