AUKUS: An Alliance Strengthening Regional Security or a Chaos Disruptor Coalition?

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Corresponding author: Assistant Professor, Department of Regional Studies, Faculty of Law and Political Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

2 PhD student, Department of Regional Studies, Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Although the concept of “unity” has been a contentious and debatable issue from a theoretical perspective,particularly in terms of relevant definitions, undoubtedly any form of “activism” on the international stage necessitates a call for cooperation, alliance and coalition within the foreign policy agenda. This perspective resulted in the formation of a trilateral security Pact among three nations namely Australia,the United Kingdom and the United States in September 2021.This alliance draws inspiration from a long history of shared security, political and civilizational ties among the mentioned states.Simultaneously, it has been heralded by their leaders as an innovative response to the emerging threats in the Asia-pacific region, with a particular focus on challenges posed by China.In this article, employing the qualitative research methodology, specifically the explanatory approach, we aim to address the question: “How has the security alliance inked by the three nations of the USA, the UK and Australia, in the form of the AUKUS Treaty (2021), impacted the security landscape within the Asia-pacific region? “Our hypothesis suggests that, the AUKUS Treaty, in spite of possessing the characteristics of a security alliance,such as maximum involvement of the three Anglo-Saxon Powers in terms of nuclear cooperation, it has the capability to activate and absorb other security alliances in the region as well.However,due to the fact that the Pact has disregarded the logic of non-proliferation and triggered the balance of threats, it has undermined the regulations concerning Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty and escalated China’s tension-inducing standpoint,which can confront the region with new security crises.

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References

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Defense Policy
Volume 33, Issue 126 - Serial Number 1
Spring 2024
June 2024
Pages 174-151

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History

  • Receive Date: 05 November 2023
  • Revise Date: 09 December 2023
  • Accept Date: 14 August 2024

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