Australia’s foreign policy during the Cold War was profoundly shaped by its strategic and security concerns, with its relationship with the United States emerging as a central pillar of its international alignment. The period spanning roughly from the late 1940s to the early 1990s witnessed Australia navigating a complex global landscape dominated by the ideological confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union. The Australian-American relationship during this time was characterized by strong political, military, and economic ties, reflecting Canberra’s perception of the U.S. as both a protector and a partner in ensuring regional security, especially in the Asia-Pacific. Following the Second World War, Australia faced a heightened sense of vulnerability due to the rapid decline of British influence in the Asia-Pacific region. The fall of Singapore to Japanese forces during World War II had demonstrated the limitations of relying solely on Britain for security, and post-war decolonization movements across Southeast Asia intensified Canberra’s concerns about regional instability. Within this context, Australia saw alignment with the United States as critical. The foundation of this relationship was formalized in the ANZUS Treaty of 1951, a security pact between Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. ANZUS reflected Australia’s strategic objective of securing a guarantee of American military support in the event of conflict in the Pacific region, serving as a cornerstone of Australian defense policy throughout the Cold War. Politically, the Cold War period cemented a close working relationship between Canberra and Washington, underpinned by shared concerns about the spread of