Good article. The bottom line for me is that the U.S.A. should defend Australia and Australia should support the U.S.A. because we share the same core values on all levels. Forget interest calculations and real politic in the particular moment . . . if your friend is a jerk in a bar and starts getting pounded on . . . you don’t just let them get pounded. You jump in and help them.
If ever we go to war with China, Oz is essential.