Crossroads of Competition
China in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands
Tuvalu
China roils the Pacific waters courtesy Australia and New Zealand
China’s role in the region is a constant pressure in one direction. New Zealand and Australian policies towards the region have been naive at best, and the situation was worsened by U.S. State Department following Canberra and Wellington’s lead.
Op-eds
Who’s afraid of China? Palau inauguration calls bluff of ‘friends to all, enemies to none’
For all the regional talk of “Pacific family” and “friends to all enemies to none” who did – and who didn’t – show up for the Jan. 16 inauguration of Palau President Surangel S. Whipps Jr....
Op-eds
Deconstructing the Inauguration: No, not that one
We have a country that is geopolitically sophisticated, with close ties to the U.S., Japan and Taiwan, and is in a highly strategic location. So who showed up to Palau’s party, and who didn’t?
Op-eds
Australia vies with China to turn the Solomons into a police state
In October 2024, Suidani and Talifilu were arrested by Solomon Islands police under unusual circumstances. On December 19th, Australia announced it was giving Solomons AUS$190 million ‘to grow the size and capability of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), in response to a request by Solomon Islands’.
Op-eds
Australia: Neo-imperialist or climate change saviour?
Australia gets a remarkable set of rights from the Pacific island country of Tuvalu in exchange for things it can mostly find a reason to not do if it wants.
Op-eds
Former President of Federated States of Micronesia David W. Panuelo Warns Country Could See Democratic Backsliding
New, exclusive interview with former President of Federated States of Micronesia, David W. Panuelo.
Insights
The complicated case of Nauru, which stood up to China
Some of Nauru’s decisions made on principle, for example recognizing Taiwan, likely hurt Nauru’s economy. Nauru doesn’t just recognize Taiwan, it has stood up to China in diplomatic venues in ways some Western diplomats could only dream about.
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 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.
Op-eds
How the Pacific Islands Forum Fell Apart
The decision by Micronesian countries to leave the PIF will have major strategic implications.
Op-eds
India’s vaccine diplomacy a shot in the arm for the Quad?
A Quad exercise to deliver Indian vaccines to the countries that need it in Oceania would show that the Quad is a unique force for good in the region.
Op-eds
Obama’s Iran Policy Is Lost at Sea
American negotiators and their cohorts are trying to close a deal that would let Iran keep its nuclear program, subject to intricate conditions of monitoring and enforcement. Yet how is a deal li...
Op-eds
Is Iran Resorting To An Insurance Scam To Keep Oil Exports Going?
Europe’s oil embargo against Iran, reinforced by U.S. extraterritorial measures, is having a serious impact on Iran’s oil exports. Ira...
Op-eds
Iranian Tankers in a Tanzanian Twilight Zone?
Trying to elude the reach of U.S. sanctions, Iran’s oil tankers have put on quite a circus this year, renaming, reflagging and at times switching off their onboard vessel tracking systems t...
Op-eds
So You Want to Be a Sanctions-Buster
It’s easy -- if you try hard enough and have the right friends! Here’s a handy how-to guide to making moolah from the mullahs.
Op-eds
How Iran Steams Past International Sanctions
By reflagging and renaming its ships, Tehran keeps one step ahead of the law.
Op-eds
The UN’s Jew-Obsession
Every single day, hundreds of African tribesmen are killed in Darfur by militias acting with the blessing of Sudan's Arab Islamist government. Eac...