"This is another demonstration of American unilateralism, like what we have experienced in recent months in Afghanistan," says Jean-Pierre Maulny, deputy director of the Institute for International and Strategic Relations (Iris), in reference to Australia's cancellation of a contract to buy French submarines in favour of American equipment. However, the analyst says "the United States cannot deprive themselves of all their allies in order to challenge China's rise in power" IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES