Blog
Oceania
Tamil Refugee Self-Immolates in a Melbourne Suburb
By Luke Hunt
Church groups hope Pope Francis takes notice of asylum seekers during his upcoming visit to Papua New Guinea.
Guam, American Samoa Upgraded to Associate Membership in Pacific Islands Forum
By Grant Wyeth
Associate membership for its unincorporated territories may give Washington a greater interest in Pacific regionalism, but will need to be managed carefully to make sure full member states drive PIF agendas.
Why Australia’s Motion on Taiwan Won’t Shake the Current Australia-China Relationship
By Jade Guan and Michael Clarke
The timing of Australia’s Senate motion rejecting China’s interpretation of U.N. Resolution 2758 seems puzzling, especially given the recent efforts to stabilize relations with China.
Law and Order in Australia Has a Blind Spot: Human Rights
By Luke McNamara
A 'tough on crime' political culture tends to bring the same solution to every crisis: harsher laws. That’s a problem.
Pacific Islands Agree on $270 Million Pacific Policing Initiative
By Grant Wyeth
The creation of the PPI is an indication of the strength of Pacific regionalism.
Can the Pacific Islands Forum Help Resolve the Conflict in New Caledonia?
By Pierre-Christophe Pantz
After months of violence, New Caledonia independence groups will turn to the PIF in hopes of buoying their case for self-determination from France.
Kiribati Bars Foreign Officials From Visiting Until 2025, Citing Government Transition
By Charlotte Graham-McLay and Yuri Kageyama
The suspension of diplomatic visits could reflect a desire to avoid foreign influence as negotiations proceed on government formation following this month’s election.
Charged Diplomacy: How Australia Can Navigate the Geopolitical EV Tightrope Between China and the West
By Marina Yue Zhang
Australia faces a diplomatic dilemma: balancing the need to align with Western allies in reducing dependence on China’s EV and battery supplies while also promoting its green transition.
Christopher Luxon’s Hawkish Foreign Policy Address in Sydney
By Geoffrey Miller
New Zealand’s prime minister reaffirmed a “foreign policy reset” that involves pursuing closer defense cooperation with Australia.
Overseas Workers Could Boost Pacific Prosperity
By Paresh Narayan and Bernard Njindan
As Pacific Island nations navigate their way out of pandemic debt, work abroad schemes could help.
How Will New Zealand Respond to Middle East Escalation?
By Geoffrey Miller
As tensions in the Middle East rise further, New Zealand’s rhetoric continues to evolve. What about its actions?
Like-minded Middle Powers in the Indo-Pacific: The Case of Australia and South Korea
By Le Nhu Mai
In anticipation of post-Biden uncertainties, Australia and South Korea are looking to further consolidate their burgeoning ties.