Fiji — 9DASHLINE

Movement on climate mobilities: developments from the Pacific Islands Forum

Written by Liam Moore

While alarmist reports of massive numbers of people potentially fleeing across borders because of climate change are incorrect and misunderstand the dynamics of migration, mobility — both within and between states — is a reality in the Pacific.

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Fukushima’s waters: discharge decision, politics, and nuclear safety standards

Written by Shivani Singh and Chetan Rana

The fact that different states in the region, despite being exposed to similar risks, are not aligned in either supporting or protesting Japan’s decision is an indicator of the divisions being caused by the great power politics at play.

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Strategic competition in the South Pacific and its implications for New Zealand

Written by Dr Reuben Steff

While China’s activities are concerning, it should be made clear to Beijing that NZ’s and others’ responses in the security sphere are dependent on China’s approach to the region.

2023: The prospect of Pacific Island agency

9DASHLINE asks several experts for their assessment of the prospects for Pacific Island agency in 2023 international politics, especially beyond the 'big power influence' by the US and China that has so often been written about in 2022.

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US interest in the Pacific Islands tested at Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders

Written by Henrietta McNeill and Joanne Wallis

This week’s meeting, and President Biden’s meeting with Pacific leaders, will both be key signals for how Pacific states are responding to the US’ sudden renewed interest in the region.

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Resets and challenges: Implications of Australia’s 2022 federal election

Written by Sian Troath

Labor has made it quite clear that they see the value in diplomacy and soft power, the former of which languished under the previous government while the latter was openly derided.

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat: Challenges and unity

Written by Daniel Julian Savua

While the PIF started in the era of regionalism and cooperation between nations, it has now turned to individualism with some nations taking steps that are best for them rather than the region.

Cope North 2022: Deepening security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific

Written by Bec Strating

Both the 2022 Cope North exercise and the Tonga example highlight concerns that hard and soft security are not so easily distinguishable.

Solomon Islands stress: what happened, why and what does it all mean?

Written by Tess Newton Cain

The other development, which has received very little attention, was the reported departure of 140 “traumatised” Chinese nationals from the Solomon Islands by chartered flight to Guangzhou.

France in the Indo-Pacific: A credible strategy in the making?

Written by Antoine Bondaz

The possibility of renaming the Directorate of Asia and Oceania of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, which includes the sub-directorates of South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Far East, to the Directorate of the Indo-Pacific should be considered.

Pushing the limits of Australia’s strategic imagination in the Pacific Islands

Written by Joanne Wallis

Pacific Island leaders have developed ‘tactical, shrewd and calculating approaches’ towards using their agency to exploit strategic competition between powers to pursue their own priorities, including greater access to aid, concessional loans, military assistance, and international influence.

COVID is forcing millions of girls out of school in Southeast Asia and the Pacific

Written by Katrina Lee-Koo

Building resilient communities is essential, as COVID sits among climate change, political instability, regional forced migration and other crises that will continue to challenge the region. Women and girls will be at the forefront of addressing all of these crises.