IMO more US discourse power via influence over news orgs, ngos, think tanks etc allows them to control who to hate/fear. Both geopolitical adversaries AND anti US candidates in partner countries. Domestic media in LIO countries can't compete against motivated US propaganda, nevermind PRC propaganda. It's inability to counter US interests when push comes to shove. Especially AU who is maximally/existentially integrated in US defense, they don't have the conditions to pursue independant foreign policy even if they wanted to.