Blog
Oceania

For the Melanesian Spearhead Group, West Papua Presents a Challenge
By Grant Wyeth
West Papua’s independence movement again failed to obtain MSG membership, highlighting members’ competing strategic interests.

Australia Resumes Use of the Phrase ‘Occupied Palestinian Territories’
By Dechlan Brennan
Internationally, the decision to realign the definition is seen as very uncontroversial. But it does put Australia out of step with the United States.

Why Australia and Vietnam Should Create a Visa Exemption Program
By Hai Hong Nguyen
The move would help advance several core areas of cooperation in the burgeoning bilateral relationship.

Should New Zealand Build Bridges With the BRICS?
By Geoffrey Miller
New Zealand needs to think more about the BRICS, and the developing world in general.

Where Does Gender Equality Fit Into Australia’s Development Policy?
By Grant Wyeth
Clearly articulating gender-based violence as the world’s primary security problem is necessary to properly address it.

No-Confidence Vote in Vanuatu Fails
By Dechlan Brennan
Despite the outcome of the no-confidence vote, there is no doubt the constant political sniping – both by lawmakers and international players – is damaging to the internal politics of Vanuatu.

New Zealand Intelligence Agency Accuses China, Russia, and Iran of Foreign Interference
By Nick Perry
In its first public threat assessment report, the Security Intelligence Service said it was concerned about ongoing Chinese intelligence activity “in and against New Zealand.”

Is This the Australian Government’s Marshall Plan?
By Marc Purcell and Grant Wyeth
The Albanese government announced its new International Development Policy which aims to create the foundations for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

Wildfires Burn Popular Maui Tourist Town
By Jennifer Sinco Kelleher
Wildfires in historic Lahaina Town on the island of Maui forced evacuations and led some to flee to the relative safety of the ocean.

Australian Senate Committee Recommends Government Ban on TikTok be Extended to WeChat
By Rod McGuirk
The committee found that China and other authoritarian regimes continue to pose an unacceptable risk to democracies through targeted online disinformation campaigns.

Australia Welcomes Lifting of UNESCO Threat to List Great Barrier Reef as World Heritage in Danger
By Rod McGuirk
There are fears that a World Heritage in-danger listing would damage a tourism industry that revolves around the reef and employs more than 64,000 people.

Can China Deliver What Solomon Islands Wants?
By Dechlan Brennan
As Honiara denies its new security pact with China poses a threat to the Pacific, it would behoove the West to consider what it is the Solomons want and need from their partners.