Obama To Announce "Permanent and Constant" U.S. Troops in Australia

November 11, 2011 • 3:15PM

The Wall Street Journal reports that President Barack Obama will announce an accord for a new and permanent U.S. military presence in Australia when he visits next week, as a step aimed at countering China's influence and reasserting U.S. interest in the region, according to people familiar with his plans. Australian press indicate that the White House has refused to confirm whether a deal has been reached to expand American access to Australian army bases, but they believe it will be announced in a speech before the Australian Parliament.

The agreement will lead to an increase in U.S. naval operations off the coast of Australia and give American troops and ships "permanent and constant" access to Australian facilities, the unnamed sources said. While no new American bases will be built under the plan, the arrangement will allow U.S. forces to place equipment in Australia and set up more joint exercises, they said. One base slated for the stepped-up American presence is in Darwin, on the country's north coast. Other locations are possible, including one near Perth, on the west coast.

The full range of U.S. naval ships is expected to rotate through the joint facilities, stopping for exercises as well as repairs and other shore work. Naval aircraft also will have access to a base in Darwin.

This "permanent military presence without fixed bases" is already the policy in the Philippines, where permanent foreign bases are forbidden by the Philippine Constitution. The "Ring Around China" is in play.