Friday, 9 April 2004: Americans are like Australians - that is why there is such an easy accord on all levels, from official to personal. There is regard for us as traditional friends and supporters, which gained special credence during the Vietnam War. President Johnson often pointed out that the ANZACS (New Zealand, too) and South Korea were the only nations that effectively committed troops in battle alongside the Americans and the South Vietnamese. There is no doubt that this view has been consolidated by Mr Howard’s unswerving loyalty in Iraq and the close personal rapport between him and President Bush.

It is fateful that these two leaders, plus Tony Blair, are in command concurrently. They share the same conservative, Christian ethic and combine in a comfortable, if ominous, Anglo alliance. Mr Howard makes no secret of the fact that the sees this bond with Washington as vital for Australia’s future security in our Asian region.

His "Deputy Sheriff" role however has not been viewed favourably by our closest neighbour, Indonesia; which brings to mind that old Asian adage "The best security is the respect and friendship of your neighbours." But Mr Howard will never waiver in his commitment and there is no question that it brings substantial benefits - his supporters will point to the Free Trade Agreement, as an example.

Yet the question must be asked: Is our full-throttle allegiance essential to ensure Washington’s support? Even pro-Administration sources are sometimes bewildered by our wholeheartedness.

The conservative think-tank Stratfor was surprised, for example, by Australian willingness to buy 59 Abrams tanks. In a special report it said: "The purchase will not greatly enhance Australia s military capability.......The acquisition will, however, cement Australia’s position as a key global US ally and grant the United States a permanent logistics infrastructure in the country while deftly avoiding construction of an actual base." The report added: "Future US operations will have ready reserves of Australian troops conveniently trained on US equipment to participate in international operations".

Meanwhile, it is significant that Washington’s two neighbours - Canada and Mexico - don’t emulate Australia. They both refused to join the Iraqi crusade, yet after initial tensions, good relations have again been restored with the giant next door. Americans are reasonable people - most of them are not caricatures like Messrs Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld or Schieffer. They accept that firm friends need not always agree and that policy differences need not derail long-term associations. In any case, the equation may be totally reversed by the end of the year. The Bush/Howard link could by then be irrelevant - the future may be determined by two new players-John Kerry and Mark Latham.