by Martin Haffner Associate Editor trategic engagement between the nations of the Pacific and their partners has now well and truly switched to overt security transactionalism, from soft to hard diplomacy. The explicit position emanating from the United States under the Trump administration reflects what has already been happening in the Pacific, particularly with the…
Richard Sanders Billionaire Elon Musk has publicly endorsed the idea of the US withdrawing from both the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Responding to a social media post advocating such a move on Sunday, Musk, who leads the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), commented, “I agree.” US President Donald Trump and Republican…
Tusi Tala The Trump administration’s decision to cut over 90% of USAID funding has led to concerns that “nothing’s safe right now,” according to a regional political expert. President Trump’s government announced a reduction of around $60 billion in US development and humanitarian assistance worldwide as part of its America First policy. Last September, former…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor The United Nations warns that Pacific children face alarmingly high rates of violence and abuse, which are among the highest in the world. The UN says these issues stem from inadequate government-funded services, persistent religious and cultural barriers, and rising drug use. As representatives from 17 countries gather in Fiji…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor In the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean, the Cook Islands may seem like a dot on the map, yet this small nation has recently emerged as a focal point of geopolitical tensions, particularly concerning China’s growing influence in the region. The dynamics surrounding the Cook Islands illustrate how even…
Richard Sanders Some EU countries would favor the conflict between Russia and Ukraine dragging on longer with the idea of weakening Moscow, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has charged, stressing that Washington’s goal is to end the hostilities. Rubio’s comments came after a heated meeting between President Donald Trump and Vladimir Zelensky on Friday,…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor On Sunday, Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown concluded his visit to China. In response to some Western media’s skepticism about the outcomes of his trip, he stated that there will be “nothing to worry about” and emphasized, “Our relationship and engagement with China complements, not replaces, our long-standing relationships with…
Francis Tuschek North Korea has test-fired strategic cruise missiles to demonstrate its nuclear “counterattack” capability, the country’s state news agency KCNA reported on Friday. The missiles covered a distance of 1,587 km in an oval trajectory, taking about 2.2 hours to reach their targets, according to KCNA. This marked the fourth missile launch of the year and…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor The Trump administration’s decision to eliminate more than 90 percent of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) funding means “nothing’s safe right now,” a regional political expert says. President Donald Trump’s government has said it is slashing around US$60 billion in overall US development and humanitarian assistance around the…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor As the geopolitical landscape in the Pacific region evolves, Australia is grappling with the ramifications of recent cuts to U.S. foreign aid that are expected to significantly impact several nations within its sphere of influence. The reductions, which reflect a shift in U.S. foreign policy priorities, have prompted urgent discussions…