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
Strategic Interests
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
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
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
Rumor has it: China in Vanuatu
Is it a naval base? A wharf? A commercial port? A space tracking station? Beijing’s plans in the small South Pacific island nation Vanuatu have been under intense speculation in recent years. Given China’s worldwide interest in expanding its maritime security footprint, this incident fits into a larger narrative of… read more
Disaster Risk Reduction in the Asia Pacific
Welcome to this blog site for a new year long course. More posts will follow. This year long capstone course on behalf of the Center for Excellence in Disaster Management & Humanitarian Assistance (CFE-DM) will carry out a series of evaluations on countries in the Asia Pacific on their natural… read more