Soundings Papers: ANZUS in the 2020s: A Blessing or a Curse for Australians?

The security treaty between Australia, New Zealand and the United States of America (ANZUS) came into force on the late Emperor Hirohito’s 51st birthday, 29 April 1952. Without Japan’s warmongering in the Pacific, even given the rise of communism, the treaty is unlikely to have existed. On its face, the treaty seems to be a blessing for Australia. However, this paper asks us to consider an alternative view.