Yes, Matt, but what about synecdoche?

Let me speak to the broader issue of Asian economic power projection, not so much the issue of excluding Australia but some less well known involvements elsewhere. The cast of characters may interest some.

Many Western nations boycotted the Sudan over human rights issues. It's reasonably well reported that there is considerably Chinese investment and involvement in the growing Sudanese oil industry. Less well known is that the main multinational combine for oil, the Greater Nile Petroleum Operating Company, had Chinese and Malaysian investment from its inception. When Canadians bailed out in protest, that share was bought by an Indian organization, state-owned as in the case of the Malaysians. For completeness, I should mention that other Chinese interests are operating independently there, as well as a large French oil company.

Returning to Asia, however, it will be interesting to see if the assumption still holds that Asians have long memories of WWII, and are still uncomfortable with Japanese involvement -- and, especially, Japanese rearmament. Perhaps Australia's regional military capability is part of the desire to exclude them.

FOREIGNID: 85655
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AUTHOR: Tad Brennan
DATE: 01/21/2006 01:14:35 PM

I think "metonymy" is what we're going for here?

While Malaysia is clearly a part of East Asia (being half located on that continent) the geological and historical case for Indonesia and New Guinea is a little less clear. Australia's race policy of the sixties (effectively excluding Asians) drew a line between Australia and the island archipelegos that was not matched by Australian influence and interest in the region.

Excluding Australia based on geological criteria seems odd. Though historical, cultural, or ethnic concerns could be validly defended.

I think Matt's point is that Kagan is using the wrong "part" to represent the "whole" of Australian foreign policy, since Canberra, not Sydney, is the capital city.  It would be kind of like saying "New York is encouraging North Korea to abandon its nuclear program" instead of "Washington is encouraging North Korea to abandon its nuclear program."

It's only oblique if you don't know what the capital of Australia is, primetimer.