Global Geopolitics from an Australian Perspective

How a country views the geopolitics of the world around it, and its role within it, is a reflection of its identity and sense of self. This chapter examines who Australia thinks it is, and how that national strategic identity affects Australia’s understanding of regional and global geopolitics. It begins by exploring some key elements of Australia’s strategic identity, such as its psychological attachment to the Anglosphere despite (or because) of its geographical location in Oceania, and its indigenous identity. It then examines how Australia’s strategic identity informs its geopolitical perspectives, particularly its understanding of the Asian region, and its concerns about China.