Can Canada, UK and Australia grasp chance offered by US-China rivalry?
As the US shifts away from its commitment to global primacy, these Anglosphere nations have the potential to be a pivotal force for global stability
As middle powers, Australia, Britain and Canada can do more than most other nations to influence global peace in the face of a new great power rivalry between China and the United States. These three nations owe their citizens, and perhaps the wider world, an earnest effort to rise to the challenge of being peacemakers.
They have three attributes in common that give them unique potential to be a pivotal force. First is their own shared histories as members of the Anglosphere and therefore close allies of the US. Second is the recent US impetuousness and erratic behaviour towards the three of them, which demands greater independence and balance in their international relationships. Third is their shared middle power status, affording them enough diplomatic, military and trade significance to have great influence.
Today, though, Australia’s, Britain’s and Canada’s results as agents for global stability are mixed.
