In a ‘ruptured’ world order, here’s how Australia can forge new middle‑power partnerships

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney urged Canada and Australia to create new coalitions among middle powers, reducing reliance on the US, while addressing challenges in the evolving global order.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney made an impassioned pitch in the Australian parliament for middle powers like Canada and Australia to build new coalitions in the “ruptured” global order that are less reliant on the United States.

Carney made a compelling case. So, how exactly would new coalitions of middle powers work, and which countries could Australia work with more closely?

The world order has “ruptured”, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has warned – so it’s time for countries like Australia and New Zealand to forge a new, less US-reliant future. In this new series, we’ve asked top experts to explain what that future could look like – and the challenges that lie ahead.

This enthusiasm for middle power coalitions poses some uncomfortable questions for Australia, given it requires a re-examination of our most important ally, the United States.

In defence terms, Australia remains reliant on Washington’s presence and military capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region. Much of our own military hardware simply cannot function without the US.

Stepping away from the US alliance completely is not an option. This is why Canberra has expressed support for recent US and Israeli strikes in Tehran, while not participating in them.

And with great powers increasingly willing to breach international law, middle powers have a great responsibility. By working together to safeguard international institutions, they can keep the global order functioning and try to restrain the behaviours of great powers when need be.

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