AUSTRALIA must play a lead role in helping the US combat regional conflict and violent extremism in Asia, Julie Bishop will tell a foreign policy summit in Washington. 
In a landmark speech, Foreign Minister Bishop will pitch to the US Australia's importance as a global power in managing tensions in the Asian region. She will reinforce remarks made by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in his visit to the White House last week, saying Asia's influence on global stability and prosperity can't be underestimated.
Noting Russia's growing interest in China and the big increase in military spending in the Asian region, Ms Bishop will make a case for Australia as a brokering power in the tension-fuelled space.
The remarks play directly into US concern about China as an emerging power and the White House's interest in Australia as a key ally in the region. Ms Bishop will point to Australia's counter-terrorism initiatives in the region and Australia's military and trade co-operation with China.She says she hopes to demonstrate "the depth of co-operation that (Australia) will hopefully be able to draw upon should ever the improbable become the probable - that is, a conflict in Asia".