Guadalcanal

October 13, 2024 | Cleo Paskal |

Daniel Suidani’s arrest in the Solomons proves CCP is scared

At the start of this month, both Suidani and Talifilu were arrested on three counts of unlawful assembly related to the failed no confidence vote of 2021.

May 13, 2024 | Cleo Paskal, Col. Grant Newsham

How China is Winning the Solomon Islands

Since 2019, Beijing has spent a considerable amount of money and effort setting up its position in the Solomon Islands and openly assisting in the crushing of dissent.

November 19, 2023 | Cleo Paskal |

Three upcoming events that could torpedo Pacific peace

Three things are going on that could turbo charge Chinese strategic expansion in the Pacific. U.S. DEFENCE ARCHITECTURE IN THE PACIFIC The first two involve what are known as the “Compact States”....

August 20, 2023 | Cleo Paskal |

In sign of weakness, pro-PRC Solomons PM avoids meeting US Congress members

PM Sogavare avoided meeting a US Congressional Delegation that was visiting the country. Not a single government minister met the two Members of Congress during their time in the capital, Honiara.

April 1, 2023 | Cleo Paskal |

Former Malaita Premier (and Noted China Critic) Gets Bipartisan Support for US Visa

Daniel Suidani became a symbol of resistance to China’s influence in Solomon Islands – until he was ousted from his post.

March 22, 2023 | Cleo Paskal, Col. Grant Newsham

Beijing’s Subversive Political Warfare in the Pacific—and the Need for Greater Engagement by the United States and Taiwan

Honduras has said it intends to shift diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China. We know this story: with the exception of 2007, when St. Lucia switched from Beijing to Taipei, the trend has run in this...

February 11, 2023 | Cleo Paskal |

No one is helping us in our fight against PRC: Daniel Suidani

I believe that there are people in other countries who believe in democracy—who would stand with us, says Malaita’s ousted Premier Daniel Suidani.

August 15, 2022 | Cleo Paskal, Anthony Bergin

Sogavare staging a coup with Chinese characteristics

Excerpt Last week dignitaries, including US ambassador to Australia, Caroline Kennedy, gathered for a dawn ceremony on Bloody Ridge in Solomon Islands to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the start of...

August 13, 2022 | Cleo Paskal |

Right to vote being snatched from Solomon Islanders by PRC-backed PM

Sogavare has introduced a Bill to postpone elections. Reaction on the ground is seething. Likely Sogavare and his backers in Beijing don’t mind violence so they can activate the China security deal.

April 29, 2022 | Cleo Paskal |

China’s Agreement with Solomon Islands & Implications for Security in the Pacific

An Interview with Cleo Paskal

April 23, 2022 | Cleo Paskal |

India’s role significant as US seeks to reverse PRC takeover of Solomon Islands

During our panel discussions, [former Prime Minister] Hon. Danny Philips pretty much admitted that the signed security agreement is not far off the draft that has been leaked. That agreement talks about protecting ‘Chinese interests’: Hon. Peter Kenilorea Jr.

April 16, 2022 | Cleo Paskal |

White House finally awakens to PRC capture of Solomon Islands

Free and fair election could result in a new government that not only abrogates the security deal but switches back to Taiwan. That would be a serious loss of face for Xi Jinping, giving ammunition to his domestic enemies, and could lead to a politically weakened Sogavare being more exposed to prosecution.

April 2, 2022 | Cleo Paskal |

China moves frontline to Solomons, locals fight back

Alexandria, VA: This is Beijing’s “Oh yeah? So what are you gonna do about it?” moment. With the confirmation of a security agreement between China and Solomon Islands—a country approximately 1200...

December 17, 2021 | Alexander B. Gray, Cleo Paskal

The Solomon Islands Crisis Shows America Needs a New Pacific Strategy

The U.S. has been largely subcontracting its foreign policy for many Pacific Islands to Australia and New Zealand. That needs to change.

September 5, 2021 | Cleo Paskal |

How China buys foreign politicians: A case study

Alexandria, VA., US: Well, that didn’t take long. Almost exactly two years ago, in September 2019, the Solomon Islands, a country of around 650,000 people in the South Western Pacific, switched recognition...

February 10, 2021 | Cleo Paskal |

How the Pacific Islands Forum Fell Apart

The decision by Micronesian countries to leave the PIF will have major strategic implications.