NPR

As the U.S. confronts a rising China, one country is right in the middle

This month, President Joe Biden announced a "historic project to strengthen Australian submarine capacity and our own."

This month, Australia struck a deal with the U.S. and the U.K. to acquire nuclear-powered submarine technology. It's a big moment for the country that, having found itself caught between two world powers, has decisively taken sides.

Who are they? The Australians — aka a key pillar in the United States' strategy to counter an increasingly powerful China.

  • The country of about 26 million people has long been one of America's closest and most reliable allies, participating in numerous U.S. conflicts

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