Melanesia

Not the Indo-Pacific: a Melanesian view on strategic competition
Not the Indo-Pacific: a Melanesian view on strategic competition
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare recently affirmed his country’s adherence to the “friend to all, enemy to none” foreign policy ideal. He, like other Melanesian…
Pacific labour mobility and the existential threat of climate change
Pacific labour mobility and the existential threat of climate change
The consolidation of Australia’s identity as an Asia-Pacific nation is a work in progress. It is as a consistently attentive and engaged Asia-Pacific nation – rather than as a US…
Telstra’s Digicel Pacific challenge
Commentary
Telstra’s Digicel Pacific challenge
The deal with the government insulates the telco from financial risk. But accepting the role of Australia’s lead business ambassador in the region makes it no set-and-forget…
Pacific Step-Up needs a Covid-era reboot
Pacific Step-Up needs a Covid-era reboot
Through thickly vegetated jungle paths, teams of doctors hike for hours to reach Fiji’s most remote villages. Travelling ahead of them, as reported in The…
Keeping West Papua on the agenda
Keeping West Papua on the agenda
When Vanuatu’s Prime Minister Bob Loughman addressed the UN General Assembly last month, he echoed a concern that has often been expressed by his predecessors, not about the…
West Papua: The Issue That Won't Go Away for Melanesia
Analyses
West Papua: The Issue That Won't Go Away for Melanesia
West Papuans continue to fight for independence with the support of many Pacific nations. Despite Indonesia’s opposition and the recent impact of COVID-19 on the region, the…
The future of Papua New Guinea: Old challenges for new leaders
Analyses
The future of Papua New Guinea: Old challenges for new leaders
Papua New Guinea’s next generation of leaders should take a new approach in seeking to turn around negative trends in law and order, education, and health. Emerging leaders could…
The Embarrassed Colonialist
Lowy Institute Papers
The Embarrassed Colonialist
Forty years after independence, Papua New Guinea is the largest single recipient of aid from Australia. Yet Australians seem to be largely ambivalent about the country. Few…
Papua New Guinea in 2015: at a crossroads and beyond
Reports
Papua New Guinea in 2015: at a crossroads and beyond
2015 is a significant year for Papua New Guinea.  The country will mark 40 years of independence from Australia, host the Pacific Islands Forum leaders’ meeting and the…
Don't turn away from Vanuatu's destruction
Commentary
Don't turn away from Vanuatu's destruction
Don't turn away from Vanuatu's destructionJenny Hayward-JonesABC The Drum17 March 2015Please click here for the online text.Jenny Hayward-Jones