How close has been our alliance with the USA? What has it been based on, and how useful has it been in a changing world? An alliance is formally defined as an association based on affinity and formed for mutual benefit. Those elements certainly accord with and underlie Australia’s alliance with the USA. Affinity: “A natural liking or sympathy; a close relationship based on a common origin or structure”. A natural liking or sympathy certainly exists between Australia and the USA. One reason is that their peoples share many national characteristics. Americans are seen, by and large, as open, competitive,…