4 Oct 2024
Paris offers signs of hope for New Caledonia
Recent government statements represent a major conciliatory effort by France.
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2 Oct 2024
Kamala Harris and the Pacific Islands
Pacific Island countries want to hear more from the Democratic nominee about how she will support the region. -
20 Sep 2024
The days lost to PNG’s development and economy over votes of no confidence
Diminished parliamentary productivity has ramifications not only for the progress of legislation but the well-being of the nation. -
20 Sep 2024
Reducing the role of cash in Pacific Island economies
From QR codes to mobile wallets, innovative tech solutions can help the region transition its financial ecosystem. -
12 Sep 2024
The real risks of exploitation for Pacific workers in Australia
While neither blackbirding nor systemic modern slavery, the PALM scheme has many loopholes that should be addressed. -
10 Sep 2024
Beijing’s "one-China principle" is spreading
It is untrue that Taiwan is an "inalienable part" of China, but that's not stopping governments from Kiribati to Honduras from saying it. -
6 Sep 2024
Tonga and His Majesty’s Armed Forces: A military made for peace
This Pacific country avoided colonisation not by force, but by adopting the trappings of state. A next step awaits. -
30 Aug 2024
Long-range leaders in Melanesia: Why you need to know about them
Carefully mixing metaphors helps to understand a crucial yet underappreciated actor in Pacific politics. -
28 Aug 2024
The Falepili Union: A Pacific response to the greatest global challenges
A world-first treaty with Australia ensures Tuvalu’s statehood will continue, even in the face of a climate catastrophe. -
26 Aug 2024
The down-low on deportations and drugs in Tonga
The practice by Australia of sending criminals back to their home country can pose a risk to regional security without the proper reintegration support. -
21 Aug 2024
Australia takes a big first step to engage civil society in foreign policy
With a new multi-million dollar fund, Canberra underscores the importance of robust and transparent democracy. -
21 Aug 2024
Polycrisis in the Pacific: How leaders will respond at the PIF Summit in Tonga
A tiny capital will be host to a huge regional agenda. -
13 Aug 2024
Where to for Australia’s First Nations Foreign Policy?
The climate is right to make environmental diplomacy a centrepiece of this new approach to the world. -
8 Aug 2024
Economic diplomacy: Banking on the Pacific
Rebuilding regional banking is unlikely to pay dividends without an underlying business revival. -
7 Aug 2024
Looking back at the Biden administration’s Pacific strategy
Big promises haven’t always been backed up by delivery. But the main question is about enduring attention. -
30 Jul 2024
Gender equality, the Pacific way
“Using culture to change culture” is how to make real progress in addressing a longstanding regional challenge. -
29 Jul 2024
The unheard potential of moderate voices in New Caledonia’s crisis
Hope for a “common destiny” is not yet lost despite the violent unrest and hardening views. -
16 Jul 2024
The role for Pacific media in charting a pragmatic global outlook
Journalism from the region is essential in shaping views of the region. -
11 Jul 2024
A surprising litmus test for New Caledonia’s independence parties
The French election saw New Caledonia’s independence parties attain an overall majority in the first territory-wide poll since the 2018–21 referendums. -
26 Jun 2024
New Caledonia: France’s way or the Pacific way?
Legal, yes. Constructive? A pattern is emerging. -
24 Jun 2024
Fragmented and burdensome: Small European donors are clogging Pacific aid channels
Competition, political self-interest, and poor coordination are overburdening the region’s administrations. -
19 Jun 2024
Is a new Australian police program what the Pacific needs?
Engagement on policing is crucial, but it must be regionally led. -
12 Jun 2024
France’s legislative elections and complications for New Caledonia
There is only hope, however vain, that this move may provide space for calm reassessment of positions. -
3 Jun 2024
Australians watching Pacific with concern and care
Chinese influence and Pacific migration pathways are on Australian minds this year, according to latest Lowy Institute Poll. -
31 May 2024
Fiji: Positioning and posturing on politicians pay
Drawing on past experience and that of neighbouring countries, MPs and ministers should not be determining their own salaries. -
28 May 2024
A portrait of a climate champion: Who is Enele Sopoaga?
The Pacific leader is giving voice to the plight of the region and posing a direct challenge to Australia’s environmental diplomacy. -
27 May 2024
Next steps for New Caledonia in the wake of Macron’s proposals
A flying visit by the French president to the Pacific territory leaves a long road ahead. -
14 May 2024
Violence erupts in New Caledonia as independence supporters oppose legislation in Paris
Macron’s plan has backfired. But there can be no sustainable solution without cooperation of all parties. -
7 May 2024
PNG-China: What’s to gain in any policing deal?
It seems we’ll be hearing more about this prospective arrangement. -
3 May 2024
Can Solomon Islands’ new prime minister really be friends to all?
The success of the PM’s premiership will depend on his approach to pressing domestic problems as much as issues of national sovereignty. -
3 May 2024
Australia’s superannuation rules leave Pacific workers out of pocket
The government must reconsider its tax on the Pacific’s poorest. -
2 May 2024
Bougainville’s future: The hard questions
There are good reasons to take time before Bougainville cuts loose from PNG. -
1 May 2024
Fixing the plastics problem when delivering urgent aid
Coping with climate change is hard enough. Sustainability cannot be overlooked in humanitarian action across the Pacific. -
26 Apr 2024
Solomon Islands: Unexpected defeat for Sogavare
Sogavare was tipped for a sweeping victory but suffered a major defeat. Now Solomon Islands politicians must form a new government, and keep the peace. -
18 Apr 2024
It’s important to acknowledge PNG’s own interests with China
And a big part of that is bargaining power with the West. -
18 Apr 2024
Is the EU Australia’s blind spot in the Indo-Pacific?
In region worried about militarisation, what is perceived as the EU’s weakness by Australia may be its main strength. -
16 Apr 2024
New Caledonia: Uncertainty and division intensify as Paris imposes its will
Work is needed now to ensure history does not repeat. -
11 Apr 2024
Pacific Engagement Visas: New developments but quotas unknown
Australia’s highly competitive new visa lottery has much leg work to do to make fair allocations between countries. -
10 Apr 2024
Solomon Islands: Democracy on the ballot
Next week, voters will determine not only political leadership but the future of democratic processes. -
26 Mar 2024
Should Japan expand its security partnerships in the Pacific?
Four reasons why rushing in may not be the answer. -
25 Mar 2024
Where did that Chinese police video come from?
Like governments everywhere, when a problem is out of control, they put on a show. -
20 Mar 2024
The Translator: "Friends to all"
A new series in which experts explain the sometimes baffling jargon of international affairs. -
15 Mar 2024
A “climate defence force” for the Pacific
By harnessing human, environmental and resource security, Canberra can counter Beijing’s coercive tactics in the region. -
14 Mar 2024
Tongan attitudes to the world
A new poll reveals how the Pacific archipelago views US, Chinese and Australian influence. -
8 Mar 2024
Supporting Pacific women to tell the region’s stories
Ensuring all local voices are heard makes for far more powerful reporting. -
8 Mar 2024
State of play for Pacific women in 2024
When the playing field is levelled, the dividends are doubled, both in politics and sport. -
27 Feb 2024
Japan and the United States should pool efforts to improve health in Pacific Island countries
A coordinated “health as diplomacy” partnership could mobilise the Quad, PBP, and other multinational partnerships to do the same. -
15 Feb 2024
The state of play in PNG: A momentous start to 2024
Domestic deals and political spills threaten to overshadow economic progress in the land of the unexpected. -
7 Feb 2024
Whose security is really at stake? Gender must be prioritised in Australia‑PNG security agreement
More police can’t be the answer when police have long been part of the problem. -
6 Feb 2024
A new China loan threatens Vanuatu’s debt outlook
A new major infrastructure project could leave the country on the road to debt distress.