The Australian reports that “amid growing concerns about Beijing’s assertiveness in the South China Sea, Malcolm Turnbull and US Vice-President Joe Biden have pledged to step up joint military training to deal with ‘any challenge’ in the region.”  

“Australia has also agreed to broaden its training commitment in Iraq, to instruct law enforcement officers in counter-terrorism techniques to help them retain areas recaptured from Islamic State and keep order there. Mr Biden said there would be a greater unity between US and Australian forces, stressing ‘it’s important that we stand together.'”