Honiara

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 5, 2024 | Cleo Paskal |

17 people in Malaita stand in way of China’s takeover of the Solomons

‘Many of us have received phone calls from [the opposing camp] telling them if they join the camp they will be given projects for their wards and $300,000 [around US$35,000] each’, says former Malaita...

April 14, 2024 | Cleo Paskal |

PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election

PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans.

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.

February 26, 2023 | Cleo Paskal |

Win for China in its plan to turn Pacific Islands into Hong Kong

Leaders who are standing up to China are deeply shaken by what happened to Suidani and the resounding quiet from the international community that claims to back democracy. Koror, Palau: If you thought...

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.

May 21, 2022 | Cleo Paskal |

Is Chinese pressure making Solomon Islands stall Indian envoy’s visit?

Alexandria, VA: India makes China nervous in ways none of the other Quad countries do. So it’s not surprising that, according to sources, the Solomon Islands government is stalling the entry of the Indian...

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 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.

November 29, 2021 | Cleo Paskal |

Foreign Intervention Complicates Solomon Islands Unrest

The problem was sparked by perceived CCP interference. It can’t be solved by Australia taking a similarly heavy hand.

November 27, 2021 | Cleo Paskal |

Solomon Islanders need freedom from PRC, not Australian troops

What we have is an expeditionary force seemingly acting at the behest of a despised local administration backed by a callous and rapacious foreign power. Beijing must be sitting back, munching on popcorn and enjoying the show.

October 26, 2021 | Cleo Paskal |

CCP aggression could lead to violence in Solomon Islands: Hon. P. Kenilorea

On Wednesday, 27 October, a Vote of No Confidence is likely to be tabled in the Malaita provincial assembly against Premier Suidani by those working with the central government. The situation is very tense.

September 6, 2010 | Australian

Aussies Pull the Plug in Iran

IRAN is slowly suffocating from sanctions that are beginning to bite where the maverick state has been strongest: its energy sector. The tougher set of sanctions imposed mid-year by the UN,...