Manasseh Sogavare

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.

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.

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...

March 9, 2023 | Cleo Paskal |

Micronesia’s President Writes Bombshell Letter on China’s ‘Political Warfare’

Outgoing President David Panuelo released a lengthy letter detailing Beijing’s efforts to bribe and bully Micronesian leaders – and exploring the possibility of recognizing Taiwan instead.

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.

February 5, 2023 | Cleo Paskal |

The U.S. is blocked from ports in PRC-Influenced Solomons, Vanuatu

PRC-linked actors attempting to politically take out Premier Daniel Suidani of Malaita.

December 31, 2022 | Cleo Paskal |

From G-20 to the Pacific Islands, India offers new hope

One of the most important external examples of the potential for India’s realignment of global leadership will be PM Modi’s ground-breaking trip to Papua New Guinea (PNG), reported to take place in the first half of 2023.

October 2, 2022 | Cleo Paskal |

US moves on Pacific islands, but barely

The last two weeks have seen some of the most frantic US activity related to the Pacific Islands since the end of World War II. A lot happened. It’s like a plane suddenly dropped a cargo of randomly-sized boulders into a lake with varied depths. Some initiatives will sink, others may become essential islands of security in rough weather, some might inadvertently hit and sink the boats of allies.

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.

July 16, 2022 | Cleo Paskal |

The rodeo that was the Pacific Islands Forum meeting

Fiji’s capital Suva is turning into Vienna in the 1930s, when ‘diplomats’ from around the world spied on each other and sent cables home about who was sleeping with whom. Meanwhile, across the border, the war machine was roaring into life.

June 5, 2022 | Cleo Paskal |

U.S. Should FACE Facts in the Pacific

The United States needs an engagement policy with the Pacific Island Countries (PICs) that is Flexible, Appropriate, Coordinated and Effective (FACE). FLEXIBLE It needs to show flexibility when working...

June 4, 2022 | Cleo Paskal |

China winning entropic warfare in Pacific Islands

We’ve seen Chinese entropic warfare in various stages in Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka and elsewhere. And the contagion seems to be spreading in the Pacific.

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...