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Planning for the Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands
Blake Johnson | October 20, 2023The Solomon Islands’ security environment is stable for now, and the Pacific Games may proceed there in November without a hitch, but Australia’s prior preparation and scenario planning will help cope with any potential emergency.
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Building trust in US–Pacific Islands relations
Nguyen Hoang Anh Thu | October 18, 2023Washington must prioritise gaining the trust of the Pacific Island countries to ensure meaningful commitment to the region — without Beijing’s initiatives being the key motivation for cooperation.
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A fresh start with the Solomon Islands?
Blake Johnson | September 9, 2023Australia has an opportunity to approach the issue of security with a broader lens that includes more groups in the Pacific through greater transparency and engagement.
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Climate impacts in the Pacific
Colette Mortreux | September 1, 2023Many communities in the Pacific are increasingly feeling the impacts of climate change on livelihoods, food security and health but the impact on migration is less clear.
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Digital transformation in Timor-Leste
Melissa Conley Tyler | September 1, 2023Australia’s support for Timor-Leste’s digital transformation is a valuable investment in the region’s future.
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Development and defence
Melissa Conley Tyler | August 16, 202322 of Australia’s 26 nearest neighbours are developing countries, and so an effective development program is key to building regional resilience, alongside a resolute stand on defence.
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Both sides now
Shailendra Bahadur Singh | August 10, 2023Two studies, the 2023 Lowy Institute Poll and a 2020 Whitlam Institute report, provide interesting insights on two interrelated issues — how Australians perceive their country’s role in the Pacific, and how Pacific Islanders view Australia in relation to development and diplomacy in the region.
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Australia’s new aid ambition
Melissa Conley Tyler | August 9, 2023Australia’s new approach to aid in the Pacific will emphasise the importance of local employment in infrastructure projects in contrast to China’s approach of importing Chinese workers to build a more prosperous region.
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Eyes on the ocean
David Brewster | August 7, 2023A range of advanced but lower cost technologies can help Australia and its allies informed about shipping movements, security threats and illegal activities in the South Pacific.
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Making friends in Timor-Leste
Melissa Conley Tyler | August 6, 2023Adopting a people-centered approach to building a shared future with Timor-Leste is in Australia’s national interest. Developing platforms for enhancing literacy, job growth, health, and agriculture are just some of the ways Australia can build lasting relationships with its closest neighbours.
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Defending Australia requires protecting the Pacific
Tyson Sara | July 28, 2023Australia should provide a treaty-level security guarantee to defend Pacific islands from external aggression in return for the Australian Defence Force becoming the de facto defence force of those countries, allowing their citizens would be able to join the ADF.
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Can the law of the sea protect small island states from climate change?
Ellycia Harrould-Kolieb | July 26, 2023Sustained pressure from small island states is advancing our understanding of the obligations of states to address climate change.