by Martin Haffner Associate Editor Millions of years ago, a group of adventurous iguanas did something no one expected. They crossed the Pacific Ocean from the Americas to the islands of Fiji on giant rafts of vegetation. The iguanas in Fiji and Tonga have always been an evolutionary puzzle. Iguanas are native to the Americas…
Richard Sanders US President Donald Trump has reaffirmed that he is serious about Canada being annexed by the United States. His statement comes amid an escalating trade war between the two neighbors, and follows a spate of comments from Trump claiming that Canada would be better off as the 51st state of the US. Speaking…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor In an era marked by pressing environmental challenges, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has appointed a new regional administrator poised to tackle the unique environmental issues facing California and the broader Pacific Southwest. As the state grapples with climate change’s impacts, air quality concerns, water scarcity, and habitat preservation,…
Richard Sanders In a recent address at the National Review Institute’s Ideas Summit in Washington, retired Admiral Phillip Davidson, former commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, emphasized Taiwan’s vital role in US economic and security interests in the Indo-Pacific region. He described Taiwan as a “cornerstone” of American influence and urged for enhanced defensive measures…
Jake Sanders, Editor March 21, 2025 In a modest corner of Slovakia, the legacy of Maurice Benyovszky (1746-1786), an adventurous nobleman, military leader, and explorer, continues to inspire generations. This year marks significant milestones in recognizing his extraordinary life, particularly his contributions during his adventures in Asia, which blend history with an unwavering spirit of…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor Disinformation stories are used by foreign states in an attempt to influence opinions and framing of foreign policy in the Pacific. Learning from recent experiences in the Pacific Islands may help identify shifts in the online environment that will have domestic and international ramifications. Disinformation has been a prominent topic…
Francis Tuschek US President Donald Trump on Wednesday held what he described as a “very good” phone call with Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky. The conversation primarily revolved around his 2.5 hour phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, Trump revealed in a brief statement on his Truth social media platform. “Much of the discussion was based…
Richard Sanders Elon Musk has alleged that left-wing activists are conspiring to kill him and damage Tesla in order to halt his efforts to reduce US federal waste and corruption. A series of violent attacks have recently targeted Tesla cars and dealerships using vandalism and arson. The tech mogul currently serves as an adviser to…
by Martin Haffner Associate Editor ANZ bank.Since 2020, several Pacific island nations have been struggling with the fallout from Western banks, cutting long-term relationships and closing operations. Big banks operating in the Pacific will receive a decade-long loan guarantee of more than AU$2 billion (NZ$2.19b) to maintain their operations and avoid relying on China. The…
新西兰首席间谍对中国在太平洋影响力的警告，特朗普向“五眼”协议施加压力 Dave Chamberlain, Wellington In a recent address to the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs in Wellington, Security Intelligence Service Director-General Andrew Hampton highlighted the escalating security risks posed by China’s expanding presence in the Pacific. His comments come at a time when the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance—comprising New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the U.K.,…