Number: RL32187
Title: Australia, the Southwest Pacific, and United States Interests
Authors: Thomas Lum and Bruce Vaughn, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division 
Abstract: The major U.S. interests in the Southwest Pacific are preventing the rise of terrorist threats, working with and maintaining the regions U.S. territories, commonwealths, and military bases (American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Reagan Missile Test Site on Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands), and enhancing U.S.-Australian cooperation in pursuing mutual political, economic, and strategic objectives in the area. The United States and Australia share common interests in countering transnational crime and preventing the infiltration of terrorist organizations in the Southwest Pacific, hedging against the growing influence of China, and promoting political stability and economic development. The United States has supported Australias increasingly proactive stance and troop deployment in Pacific Island nations torn by political and civil strife such as East Timor, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. Australia may play a greater strategic role in the region as the United States seeks to redeploy its Asia-Pacific force structure.
Pages: 7
Date: Updated January 7, 2004