The Alliance and Non-Traditional Security

Threats to security can no longer be solely defined in military and statist terms. In widening and deepening the security calculus, non-traditional security encapsulates a variety of issues, critiques of orthodox security approaches, and alternative security problematics. Both Australia and the US now recognize non-traditional security in their national security statements to varying degrees. The non-traditional security agenda is now chiefly constituted of issues including climate change, cyber security and terrorism. Recent AUSMIN talks have also produced formal, Alliance-based cooperation on issues such as space security and cyber security. As the security environment continues to change and become more complex, both regional cooperation and regional engagement must be strengthened. The US-Australia alliance should enhance its collective capacity to make practical contributions to bilateral and regional security.