U.S. Marines to Be Stationed in Australia Under Obama-Gillard Defense Pact
The U.S. and Australia have agreed to station U.S. troops in Australia, putting 250 forces first and then expanding at a later point to 2,500 troops. The two leaders also agreed to increase cooperation between their air forces while the U.S. has said that the move is not designed to constrain China but to help protect key trade routes in the region where around $5 trillion worth of trade passes through.