Beyond Labels

Having discussed Taiwan last week, we’ll turn our attention tomorrow to another neighbor of China–Australia. This country straddles a close relationship with the U.S. (including the “Five Eyes” alliance) and a strong (and, apparently, growing) economic relationship with China.

• How can the Australians manage this straddling position?
  • What sort of circumstances would force them to choose a side?
  • What can (or should) the U.S. do to strengthen the relationship?
• How important is the U.S.-Australia relationship?
  • To the U.S.?
  • To Australia?
• How should we expect Australia to adjust its strategic alliances over time?
  • With the prospect of growing Chinese influence in the region?

I’m sure there’ll be more to discuss.

As a reminder, the Blue Hill Public Library is closed tomorrow, February 20, in observance of Presidents Day. So the next Beyond Labels meeting will be on February 27.

At that meeting, we’ll follow up on our discussion about Russia and Ukraine to explore a question that arose in that context:

If the U.S. loses enthusiasm for supporting Ukraine in its war with Russia, what message does that send to China and Taiwan about the analogous situation between them?

• How are the situations analogous? How not?
• Should the U.S. be preparing to support Taiwan as an independent “country?” (That seems like a heavily loaded term in this context!)
• How should China’s posture vis-a-vis Taiwan affect our trading relationship(s)?
• If each of us were President (or Secretary of State), how would we be navigating these relationships?
• Does the U.S. posture (so far) in Ukraine make the Taiwan situation more simple, or more complex?

Lots to consider.