IDAS Series: Deterrence and Balance: Australia’s Security Approach in the Disputes in the Indo-Pacific Region
A delegation led by Professor Rory Medcalf AM from National Security College, Australian National University, accompanied by Mr. Rob Persson from the Australian Office in Taipei, visited National Chengchi University on September 20. Professor Wanying Yang, the Dean of the College of Social Sciences (CSS) together with a number of CSS faculty members extended a warm welcome to the delegation. As there are many similarities between the National Security College and International Programs such as IDAS and IMAS, during the meeting Professor Yang and Professor Medcalf discussed the possibility of opportunities for academic collaboration between the two sides in the future.
Professor Rory Medcalf AM is a well-known scholar specializing in the field of security studies and Indo-Pacific strategies and, in particular, is famous for his work on the Indo-Pacific concept of the Asian strategic environment. With Professor Philip Hsiaopong Liu serving as the moderator, it was the IDAS’s honor to invite Professor Rory Medcalf AM to deliver a speech entitled “Deterrence and Balance: Australia’s Security Approach in the Disputes in the Indo-Pacific Region,” explaining why Australia is pursuing both deterrence and equilibrium at the same time, and what this means for regional order, including the future of Taiwan.
Professor Medcalf AM illustrated the complexity of the Australian perspective in relation to the Indo-Pacific in two ways: an objective definition of a regional system and a strategic definition of a contested space. Emphasizing the latter, the core argument concerns harnessing regional multipolarity to address China’s regional ambitions. To this end, he spoke on the 3 pillars of Australian statecraft and their contribution to deterrence and strategic equilibrium. (1) The enduring security partnership with the USA and its allies must be managed with Australia’s own independent foreign policy. This is also balanced with Australia-China relations, which are currently in the process of stabilization. (2) Pursuit of regional security, which has evolved into the Indo-Pacific pillar to cultivate stronger security relations with other neighboring states. Lastly, (3) commitment to the rules-based international order observing the sovereign equality of Indo-Pacific states. All of these elements are aimed at addressing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific to assist in reconciling the bipolar US-China competition with the emerging multipolarity of the region.
By drawing from a diverse audience, the Q & A session following the talk generated a very lively discussion about the issue of multipolarity in the region with a continued US presence, as well as Australia’s role in the Taiwan question. Professor Medcalf AM believed that there are no countervailing positions as the US continues to bolster the capabilities of regional states through its alliances, such as AUKUS, and to support democracies in the region. He added that it would be hard to imagine Australia staying away should the US involve itself in the question of Taiwan. That is, the issue would concern the degree of Australia’s involvement and not whether it should be involved. Subsequent questions centered around Australia’s bilateral relationship with other Indo-Pacific countries and strong interest was shown in the evolving relationships with Southeast Asian states, specifically in regard to defense engagements with Indonesia. Further afield, Australia’s relations with India were also discussed in the context of closer coordination under QUAD in terms of maritime security architecture. To this, Professor Medcalf AM responded more generally that Australia is working on a more consultative approach to cooperation in order to foster stability based on democratic principles. Therefore, Australia’s Indo-Pacific strategy continues to have extensive interest in engagement, but also needs a balanced approach. Professor Medcalf AM presented a diverse perspective on Australia’s Indo-Pacific outlook, thereby greatly benefiting students from across the globe.
The IDAS was greatly appreciative that Professor Medcalf AM had given an extremely exciting and insightful speech at the beginning of this semester. Even though it was Friday afternoon, the lecture room was still full. The talk attracted not only NCCU students but also outsiders, including people from foreign think tanks and mass media such as the New York Times. The IDAS will invite other guest speakers and welcome any interested persons to be part of the IDAS series in the future.
