As global interest in Oceania grows, Japan is actively looking to deepen its ties with Pacific Island Countries (PICs). Japan has a long history of engagement in Oceania; Japanese Prime Minister Abe has said that Japan and the PICs share “an expansive oceanic identity.” However, Japan’s current, heightened interest in… read more
Archives for November 2019
Is Domestic Violence a Security Issue?
This post is cross-posted at the Duck of Minerva For my course on climate security in Oceania, we read a post on the New Security Beat from Volker Boege from the Toda Institute. The piece is based on a wider report on climate and conflict in Oceania. He writes: In overcrowded… read more
TERA in Oceania: What Does Twenty-first Century Resiliency Look Like?
Oceania needs climate action now. The question is: What kind of action? The impetus for action in Oceania is increasingly focused on adaptation strategies and building resiliency since mitigation efforts have long gestation periods. Adaptation and Resiliency Adaptation is the easier of the two to conceptualize — and recognize. Atoll… read more
Electrification in Oceania: Case Study of the Solomon Islands
The Solomon Islands is largest island nation in Oceania in terms of land area, and the second largest nation by population (excluding Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea). It also is the least electrified. Less than 20% of the population of Solomon Islands has access to electricity. Those who… read more
Exploring Secure Tenure in Urban Bangladesh
Adequate, affordable and accessible housing for low-income, informal and slum settlements cannot be discussed or conceptualized in isolation from secure tenure. Doing so reiterates unsustainable development practices and notions that low-income and informal settlements do not have equal rights in terms of where they live. In the absence of an… read more
US Defense Assets in the Western Pacific
Some of the US’ most high-profile and valuable military and security assets in the Western Pacific are hosted by Pacific Island Countries (PICs). This blog post will provide an overview of key US security assets in Oceania, their functions, and strategic value. As climate change becomes an increasingly influential factor… read more
Island Geological Profiles and Associated Risks
While there may be demographic, development, and economic factors that present disaster risks to Oceania states, the primary sources of disaster risk, particularly those resulting from climate change, stem from the geological foundations that make up tiny land masses these states call home. Island formations in Oceania can broadly be… read more
Yes, Oceania is Strategically Important: A Case Study on the Marshall Islands
Oceania, a region unknown to many, has an outsized importance to the United States, and it is time the US started paying closer attention. A closer look at the Marshall Islands reveals the region’s historic military importance, American responsibilities in the region, how climate change will increase those responsibilities, and… read more
Shifting Opportunity: Kiribati and Solomon Islands Establish Diplomatic Relations with Beijing
In September of this year, the governments of the Solomon Islands and Kiribati severed ties with Taipei in favor of establishing formal diplomatic relations with Beijing. The Solomon Islands initially recognized Taiwan in 1986, with their decision in September effectively ending 36 years of diplomatic relations. Kiribati ended its prior… read more
Compact of Free Association – A Brief History and Modern Contextualization
Following the end of World War II, the United Nations established the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI) in 1947 to administer the Pacific island territories once held by Japan during the war. Initially, the TTPI was administered by the United States Navy from Guam before transferring administration to… read more