Prof Hugh White, the esteemed yet critical analyst of Australian defence policy, took a deep breath, surveyed the men he had spent a lifetime debating, and said: “Donald Trump is doing us a favour.” He is proving that our old assumptions are “all wrong”.

White knew this was a provocation, but maybe one whose time had come. Malcolm Turnbull agreed that this was a debate we needed to have. As the shopping list election campaign sidesteps the changed world order, the 29th prime minister used his convening power to host a forum at the press club about the bigger underlying issues.

The room was full of men, most greyer than in their last official photographs – retired ministers, ambassadors, diplomats, generals, departmental heads, professors – and a smattering of younger analysts, businessmen, politicians – and even a few women.

Most resumed their old positions, armed with memories of a time when Australia had a more independent foreign policy, put Asia first and occasionally said no to America. They recognised that, over the past decade, policies shaped in response to the 500kg Chinese panda in the room had drawn Australia closer than ever to America, a willing deputy sheriff with money, land, people and ports to share. There was widespread agreement that this needed to be recalibrated as the American eagle unlocks its talons and hovers overhead.

For years, White has been arguing that the assumptions that the United States would long be the dominant global power, lead in Asia and be guaranteed to come to Australia’s defence needed to be........

© The Guardian