BLUF
Rather than hedging against US unreliability, key allies like Australia, Japan, Britain and Poland are strengthening ties with both Washington and each other, ‘stewarding’ the US-led order through deeper security cooperation and defence integration.Learning Outcomes
- Explain the concept of ‘stewarding’ and distinguish it from hedging as a strategy adopted by key US allies.
- Analyse how Australia, Japan, Britain, and Poland are strengthening regional security while maintaining alignment with the United States.
- Evaluate the strategic significance of initiatives such as AUKUS, GCAP, and reciprocal access agreements in reinforcing deterrence.
