> cannot confront the US when differences between us arise While it's true that Australia is a minnow compared to the US, it doesn't mean that it can't influen

> cannot confront the US when differences between us arise While it's true that Australia is a minnow compared to the US, it doesn't mean that it can't influence the US, it just means it can't coerce it, which no one can anyway. Australia has done well so far by being a "middle power" and using diplomacy and statecraft. That's where its future lies. Everyone has to deal with the enormous power of the US, it's much better to do it as a "good friend".