The article scrutinises the evolution of the AUKUS trilateral format announced by the leaders of Australia, United Kingdom and United States on September 15th, 2021, within the framework of a conceptual dichotomic model “continuity vs. discontinuity”. A review of Russian and international literature makes it possible to single out the major approaches to defining the gist of the agreement and interpreting its content, including from the standpoints of various international relations theories.

The methodology of the study is represented by comparative analysis utilised diachronically while adhering to historicism as a principle. Apart from that, the application of discourse analysis allows us to unveil the particularities of the relevant terminology (e.g. the transition of the “pillar” metaphor as applied to AUKUS from the scholarly discourse into the official one), as well as the factors both favouring and impeding the implementation of the format.

Addressing the intricacies of the Cold War period makes it possible to mark out several levels of continuity. In the long-term run, of note is the continued cooperation within the blocs, in the first place, the 1951 ANZUS pact, but also the 1947 UKUSA Agreement. In the short-term perspective, of interest is the AUKUS’ succession and complementarity with other minilateral initiatives in the Asia-Pacific (most of all, Quad). In the spatial dimension, the continuity manifests itself in the involvement of  Canberra’s traditional allies in Europe and America (UK and US), similar to ANZUC.
At the same time, the paper features the parameters determining the relative novelty of the agreement as juxtaposed to the previous minilaterals in the Asia-Pacific. Among such traits are, most importantly, the focus of the nuclear component, given the attempt to create a precedent of transferring nuclear propulsion technology involving highly enriched uranium (HEU) to a non-nuclear-weapon state (NNWS).

This article was submitted 08.09.2024