Pacific Islander

January 6, 2024 | Akhil Ramesh, Cleo Paskal

India can unite Global South with developed world

Delhi has closer Africa connection than Washington, is less vulnerable to ‘predatory lending’ charge than Beijing

December 17, 2023 | Cleo Paskal, Col. Grant Newsham

In the Pacific, U.S. bureaucracy messes up against PRC influence operation

I have no idea what the U.S. State Department was thinking. But if the goal was to help honest people in a highly strategic country that is also a close ally protect themselves against Chinese influence...

May 19, 2023 | Cleo Paskal, Anthony Bergin

Modi goes to PNG – why it matters to the region and Australia

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Papua New Guinea early next week and then go on to Australia, despite the cancellation of the Quad Leaders’ summit. Fortunately, Prime Minister Modi’s...

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...

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.

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 28, 2022 | Cleo Paskal |

China launches empire building exercise in Pacific theatre

President Panuelo: ‘Chinese control over our security space, aside from impacts on our sovereignty, increases the chances of China getting into conflict with Australia, Japan, US and New Zealand, on the day when Beijing decides to invade Taiwan

November 27, 2021 | Cleo Paskal |

Japan, India, Quad can play big role in Micronesia: Dr Hayakawa

‘Japan and US have had a relationship with the Micronesian region for over 100 years. Australia has also been providing patrol boats for the past nearly 30 years. India has just begun. It will be important to build a relationship first.’

October 23, 2021 | Cleo Paskal |

Quad should make Micronesia a priority

Most leaders in the region want closer relationships with other democracies, especially in economic development, education, and health care, so that they have option to China’s CNP (Comprehensive National Power) onslaught.

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.

September 22, 2020 | Craig Singleton |

Why skepticism, not China, may be the greatest threat to US Pacific strategy

Washington finds itself playing diplomatic catch-up as Beijing continues to deepen its influence across the Pacific. Case in point: Secretary of Defense Mark Esper’s late August trip to Palau was clearly...