Think again about ASEAN: We cannot just be Deputy Sheriff in the 'Asian century'

With the government's White Paper on 'Australia in the Asian Century' imminent, ANTHONY MILNER argues Australia must focus on more than our US alliance and China. We have never been a mere 'deputy sheriff' and this needs to be made especially clear today. Closer identification with ASEAN can gain Australia more clout in Washington and Beijing, and probably New Delhi. Australia is too often narrowly defined as a US ally. Let there be no doubt, the tag Deputy Sheriff is potent and damaging in Asia. It suggests (quite falsely) that we allow our national interests to be submerged in the United States global agenda. Such an image will not do, especially in the Asian Century.