• Planning for the Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands

    Blake Johnson     |      October 20, 2023

    The 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.

  • Building trust in US–Pacific Islands relations

    Nguyen Hoang Anh Thu     |      October 18, 2023

    Washington 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.

  • A fresh start with the Solomon Islands?

    Blake Johnson     |      September 9, 2023

    Australia 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.

  • Climate impacts in the Pacific

    Colette Mortreux     |      September 1, 2023

    Many 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.

  • Digital transformation in Timor-Leste

    Melissa Conley Tyler     |      September 1, 2023

    Australia’s support for Timor-Leste’s digital transformation is a valuable investment in the region’s future.

  • Development and defence

    Melissa Conley Tyler     |      August 16, 2023

    22 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.

  • Both sides now

    Shailendra Bahadur Singh     |      August 10, 2023

    Two 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.

  • Australia’s new aid ambition

    Melissa Conley Tyler     |      August 9, 2023

    Australia’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.

  • Eyes on the ocean

    David Brewster     |      August 7, 2023

    A 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.

  • Making friends in Timor-Leste

    Melissa Conley Tyler     |      August 6, 2023

    Adopting 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.

  • Defending Australia requires protecting the Pacific

    Tyson Sara     |      July 28, 2023

    Australia 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.

  • Can the law of the sea protect small island states from climate change?

    Ellycia Harrould-Kolieb     |      July 26, 2023

    Sustained pressure from small island states is advancing our understanding of the obligations of states to address climate change.