Global Roaming with Geraldine Doogue and Hamish Macdonald Are you there Australia? It's me, South East Asia
9 snips
Mar 25, 2026 Michael Wesley, international relations professor and author, argues Australia has been looking past Southeast Asia. He discusses how a China-focused lens, alliance pressures and US priorities pulled attention north. He urges rethinking ties with Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia and practical steps to rebuild diplomatic and people-to-people connections.
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Australia Viewed Southeast Asia Through A China Lens
- Australia has framed Southeast Asia through a China lens, aligning its policy with US efforts to deter China.
- Michael Wesley argues this alienated Southeast Asian countries who prefer non-confrontation and fear great-power rivalry in their region.
US Focus On North Asia Shrunk Attention To Southeast Asia
- The US focuses on Northeast Asia threats (China, North Korea, Russia), leaving limited attention for Southeast Asia.
- Wesley says this US emphasis shaped Australia's priorities and reduced Canberra's regional engagement capacity.
Canberra Officials Are Socialised Into American Worldviews
- Australian foreign-service careers are socialised in US centres like Washington and Honolulu, shaping officials to think in American strategic terms.
- Wesley says this socialisation makes Australia's default foreign-policy instinct align with US views.
