Foreign policy white papers can disappoint. More than white papers on domestic policy, they deal largely with the unknown. And, for small and medium-sized countries in particular, foreign policy is often more a matter of reaction than action.

They’re also the products of government and are therefore seldom modest about government achievements. And, because they are diplomatic instruments, their thrust can be obscure for fear of upsetting those with whom we seek to engage.

But, that said, they force a government to think through the issues and compel interaction between the government and the community on the priorities of the day—hopefully contributing to a national perspective. In that respect, the DFAT white paper launched last week was a good effort.

The central issue in the paper is the challenge posed by the rise of China and the concomitant relative decline in United States influence. The paper is lucid and frank in its analysis of the challenges, but less satisfying in what it proposes we do about them.

Please click here to read the full “Quo vadis, Australia?” article published at The Strategist, written by Mr John McCarthy AO, Chair Griffith Asia Institute Advisory Council.