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.
New Zealand
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...
Op-eds
The Gulf’s New Regional Vision Makes Room for Israel
Despite the ongoing war, the states in the Gulf Cooperation Council still see Israel as a legitimate regional player and reject Hamas’s call for radical violence.
Op-eds
NATO Isn’t Defending Guam, But Others Are
NATO provisions don’t include security guarantees for American Pacific Territories. But other U.S. treaty allies do—which is why this week’s meetings in D.C. are so important
Op-eds
New Zealand Designates Hamas as a Terrorist Group
New Zealand fully designated Hamas as a terrorist organization on February 29, having previously sanctioned only its military wing in 2010. Former New Zealand Prime Minister Chris...
Flash Briefs
Israel Arrests Eight UNRWA Employees Over Ties to Hamas
Israel arrested eight employees of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) over their ties to Hamas, the Israeli newspaper Ma’ariv reported on February 22. Citing Israeli...
Flash Briefs
Iran’s Proxies Continue Attacks Despite U.S. Strikes
The Pentagon said on February 5 that Washington neither plans a full-scale war against Iran’s proxies in Iraq and Syria nor seeks an escalation against the Houthis in Yemen. Despite...
Flash Briefs
US airstrikes on Iran-backed Houthis shows resilience
The new round of strikes comes after the US also carried out strikes against Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Syria.
Op-eds
US, allies’ strikes on Houthis show West means business in Red Sea
What this means is that the strikes against Yemen, of which there have been several over the past month, have now entered a new phase.
Op-eds
Will Houthis cross the line US has drawn in Red Sea
There will be many questions in coming days about whether these strikes were successful and whether the Houthis will be deterred.
Op-eds
Will the world take action against Houthi threats in the Red Sea?
Will countries be willing to actually act against the Houthis, or will the Houthis continue to decide on a time and place to attack ships?
Op-eds
What would a maritime security force mean for the Red Sea?
The Iran-backed Houthi attacks have only escalated in the past week by firing on Eilat, having begun in October to match the Hamas massacre.
Op-eds
10 Things to Know About Hamas
What is Hamas? Hamas is an Iranian-backed Palestinian terrorist organization that controls the Gaza Strip. Hamas’ 1988 charter states: “Hamas rejects any alternative to the full and...
Insights
Japan’s Cyber Resilience: Key to US Security in the Pacific
Japan, like many developed states, is facing an unprecedented surge in cyberattacks, and Tokyo finds itself inadequately equipped to defend against this growing threat. A historic lack of investment...
Op-eds
Beijing Mounts Record-Breaking Warship Deployments Around Taiwan as Island’s Presidential Election Approaches
China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) deployed a record number of warships near Taiwan this month, surpassing a previous high established after former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s travelled...
Policy Briefs
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.
Op-eds
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...
Op-eds
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...
Op-eds
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.
Op-eds
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.