Blog
Oceania
Australia Joins US in Diplomatic Boycott of Beijing Olympics
By Nick Perry
PM Scott Morrison said the decision stemmed from China’s human rights abuses as well as generally strained ties.
Taiwan Must Avoid Pouring Fuel on Solomon Islands Fire
By James Baron
The Solomons is a tinderbox of complex ethnic tensions, corruption, and competing local interests, meaning interference from Beijing or Taipei can have disastrous consequences.
Strong Showing for the Pacific at Biden’s Summit for Democracy
By Grant Wyeth
The Pacific Islands have not been overlooked by the White House, although the region’s democracies face challenges, too.
Violent Protests Unsettle Solomon Islands
By Joshua Mcdonald
The protests began on Wednesday, when hundreds of protestors marched on the parliamentary precinct in the capital Honiara.
Is China to Blame for Solomon Islands Unrest?
By Rod McGuirk
Resentment against Chinese business people is longstanding and has fueled violence in Honiara’s Chinatown.
Australia Sending Troops to Solomon Islands as Unrest Grows
By David Rising and Rod McGuirk
Sogavare’s decision to switch diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China is among the reasons for the current unrest in Solomon Islands.
Australia’s New Sanctions Approach: Beyond Magnitsky
By Philip Citowicki
Magnitsky-styled reform is predicated on targeting human rights abusers abroad. The Morrison government’s plans go further, to touch on cyberattacks and other modern threats.
Is Corruption a Serious Problem in the Pacific?
By Joshua Mcdonald
A recent report illustrates that the people of the Pacific believe corruption is a massive problem for both them and their governments.
Australia Disappoints at COP26
By Joshua Mcdonald
Australian leaders appear thankful that the global commitments at COP26 weren’t more ambitious.
Decoding Nanaia Mahuta’s First Foreign Trip
By Geoffrey Miller
New Zealand’s foreign minister is on her first trip overseas: a seven-country tour of Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, the UAE, Qatar, the U.S., and Canada.
AUKUS, Civic Decay, and the Challenges Facing Democratic Coalitions
By Grant Wyeth
Adherence to democratic values and practices is essential for maintaining stability in Australia’s neighborhood. That extends to alliance maintenance, too.
Pacific Leaders Agree on Vaccines But Not on US Hosting APEC
By Nick Perry and Jim Gomez
Russia reportedly refused to support the U.S. hosting the gathering in 2023, derailing the matter for now in the consensus-driven grouping.