The Fiscal Year 2021 budget recently released by the White House has captured the attention of Pacific watchers. The Trump administration’s goal to “frustrate Chinese efforts to shape the Indo-Pacific in its image” as part of their larger desire to re-calibrate from the global war on terror to “focusing on… read more
Strategic Interests
Perspectives on Chinese and American HADR in the Indo-Pacific Region
With nearly sixty percent of total disaster-related deaths — more than two million since 1970 — the Indo-Pacific is the most disaster-prone region in the world. This number should not come as a surprise considering the region’s massive population, the number of people living at or near coastal areas, and… read more
Comment dit-on le “climate change” en Français? (3/3)
(This blog post completes my three-part series on France’s role as a stakeholder in our considerations of grand strategy. You can find part 1 here and part 2 here.) What are the French stakes in disaster risk reduction in Oceania? And how does the French role influence the United State’s… read more
Room to Step-Up: Australia’s Bid to Maintain Influence in Oceania (1/2)
As China becomes increasingly assertive in Oceania, Australia seeks to reinforce and strengthen ties with its Pacific neighbors. However, its success in reengaging the Pacific will depend on its willingness to step up on climate issues. Australia has long been perhaps the preeminent partner to the Pacific. It is the… read more
Disease Outbreak Pt. 1: What Climate Disaster Means for Disease Outbreak
In many climate disaster related conversations, there is a villain that often flies under the radar. Communicable diseases are not at the forefront of climate change discussions. Island shores disappearing, dwindling water supplies, intense storms, air quality, and pollution all occupy disproportionately loud voices in the climate change conversation. Even… read more
Regional Partnership: the Melanesian Spearhead Group
Walter Lini, the first prime minister of Vanuatu, advocated for a “Melanesian Renaissance,” or an expression of pan-Melanesianism. He emphasized solidarity among Melanesian countries and territories. He, along with Paias Wingti (former prime minister of PNG) and Ezekiel Alebua (former prime minister of Solomon Islands), founded a regional group titled… read more
Oceania – An External Battleground in Cross-Strait Relations (Part 2 of 2)
Last blog post, I discussed the competition between Taiwan and China over Taiwan’s autonomy, and how this is driving Chinese foreign policy in Oceania. In the second part of a two-part blog post series, I will explore the broader geopolitical and climate issues connected to the Taiwan-China contest over Taiwan’s… read more
Oceania – An External Battleground in Cross-Strait Relations (Part 1 of 2)
Pacific Island Countries – especially in Oceania – are at a confluence of numerous Chinese geopolitical goals. Greater economic resources to use, trade, diplomatic ties to counter US diplomacy, and opportunities to isolate Taiwan economically and diplomatically. China can reasonably achieve these goals by directing its efforts towards just a… read more
Comment dit-on le “climate change” en Français? (2/3)
(This blog post is part of my three-part series on France’s role as a stakeholder in our considerations of grand strategy in managing climate resilience and disaster risk in Oceania.) Here I’d like to consider French interests in the region in economic, security, and diplomatic/humanitarian terms. Firstly, I focus on… read more
Comment dit-on le “climate change” en Français? (1/3)
(This blog post kicks off my three-part series on France’s role as a stakeholder in our considerations of grand strategy in managing climate resilience and disaster risk in Oceania.) France is an important security and development actor in the Pacific region. Given its extensive colonial history and ongoing role in… read more