Solomon Islands

Friends of China have huge influence on Capitol Hill: Grant Newsham

‘When Beijing throws in the allure of money, they make short work of Wall Street and America’s business class—and academia as well.’

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.

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...

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.

‘India can provide capital, technology to harness Bougainville’s resources’

‘For the past few decades, the United States has beaten a gradual retreat from the South Pacific. Given the aggressive manoeuvres of China in the region, that path must obviously be reversed.’

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...

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.

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.

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.

FDD’s Biden Administration Foreign Policy Tracker: The Year in Review

‘Quad needs to befriend Bougainville, not just Papua New Guinea’

‘China may be getting ready to do in PNG what it has already pulled off in the Solomon Islands. Is it really smart for Australia, let alone its diplomatic friends in the Quad to bet everything on PNG?’

Biden Administration Foreign Policy Tracker: October

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.

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...

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.

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.

Is Anyone Listening to the Pacific Islands?

What do people of the Pacific Islands think about China’s plans for the region and the U.S. response?

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...

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.

Enlist Quad, France to take China on in the South Pacific

In the recent statement from the Quad meeting in Tokyo, a grouping consisting of Australia, India, Japan, and the US, the Pacific Islands feature prominently. Each of the Quad members have their own unique...