Latest from me for the Griffith Asia Institute's 2026 Strategic Outlook - what does increasing gepolitical competition and declining commitment to multilateralism mean for the #Pacific islands region in 2026 and beyond? blogs.griffith.edu.au/asiainsights... #PacificThinking #Geopolitics

I caught up with @williamterite.bsky.social to discuss how various aspects of US policy affect the #Pacific www.facebook.com/reel/1582432...

I am really pleased to join the editorial team at #AsianSecurity, joining Amy Freedman, Andrew Oros, Chin-Hao Huang, and Lionel Fatton. The journal aims to be "the foremost journal on all aspects of national and international security in Asia". www.tandfonline.com/journals/fas...

Catch up on #Pacific happenings over the last couple of weeks with me: sustineo.com.au/blog/pacific...

Some thoughts from me about what 2026 holds for the #Pacific islands region: sustineo.com.au/blog/pacific...

Summer flowers, oil on board, cone flowers, poppies, nasturtiums and other flowers in two glass containers (sold) #art #botanical #oilpainting

Beware dodgy "analysis" of the strategic environment of the #Pacific islands region - particularly from those who got as far as #Australia but no further: www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

Australians: we don't like guns. This is excellent.

I took some time this morning with @abcnews Pacific Beat to reflect on the anniversary of Port Vila's massive earthquake. A year on, this town looks like a fighter with some teeth knocked out. We may be down, but we're not out. www.abc.net.au/pacific/prog...

Anyone who suggests that globalisation is over needs to look at the data again. Maybe this is an unoriginal point, but two major crises do not signal the end of the international economy. Services trade is booming. Trade is more and more about tourism, business travel, and digital services.

Very concerning to see this - militarisation of police is not what is needed for community security

Good to be back in Suva for a couple of days and looking forward to some stimulating conversations #PacificWork

Ping @internationalintrigue.io

"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little." -FDR, 1937

Australians recoil at the idea that we are in anyway like the USA, especially given the current regime. However security/police tackling a man for stealing food and suffocating him to death (Alice Springs/Mparntwe yesterday) is a George Floyd moment. It's not an isolated incident.

ICYMI: here I am on #Pacific Beat to discuss @senatorwong.bsky.social’s recent visit to #Fiji, #Tonga & #Vanuatu www.abc.net.au/pacific/prog...

When it comes to Australia's relationships in the #Pacific, what comes after 'listening'? More listening, better listening, listening to hear & listening to those who say things that may not be what you want to hear: www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre... Listening is a process not a product

The temporary trade deal with China means that unless anything changes, tariffs on China will be lower than on at least 10 of the world's poorest countries. My latest Substack 👇

Beyond excited to share that @cooperwilliams.bsky.social & I have published our 2nd story as part of the Walkley's Sean Dorney Grant for Pacific Journalism. 📽 by Nicolas Job & Cooper Give it a watch here: youtu.be/61poVYSrxiw?... #pacific #newcaledonia #kanaky #geckos

If the photo I was just shown of the coalition of MPs to topple him is real. Manele's toast. Or, at least, he is at present. 24 minutes is a long time in Solomons politics.

⭐ ✨ MEET OUR MEMBER ✨ ⭐ This week, #WIISA is pleased to introduce Dr Pia Dannhauer.

Thank-you @wakeinfright.bsky.social for your acknowledgement of BenarNews Pacific's important role in the region and the vacuum its absence leaves. Very much appreciated this as the legal case and political lobbying continues to restore US Congress grant funding cut by a Trump executive order.

This week, #WIISA is pleased to introduce our Deputy President, Dr Shannon Zimmerman 🎉    @zimmzone.bsky.social is a Lecturer of Strategic Studies in Deakin University’s Centre of Future Defence and National Security.

Thanks very much MEAA for your support and for your members at BenarNews in Australia. Appreciate it very much.

In which Mr Littleproud provides 0 information about what 'practical solutions' he & his party would offer the #Pacific to tackle climate change if they are in government: www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04...

#Pacific negotiators are pushing hard - and facing serious opposition - at the IMO for a carbon levy on shipping: pacific.scoop.co.nz/2025/04/ship...

Here's my initial thoughts on what the US tariffs mean for the least developed countries. In sum, they amount to an attack on the world's poorest, adding more hardship and misery for already marginalised peoples. dangay.substack.com/p/attacking-...

For those who like a daily dose of geopolitics I recommend International Intrigue - smart layout and a concise summary of what's what around the world, written by ex-diplomats: archives.internationalintrigue.io/subscribe?re...

Meet this week’s #WIISA member, Dr Tess Newton Cain 🎉 @tncpacific.bsky.social is a Principal Consultant at Sustineo P/L. Along with her position at Sustineo P/L, Tess also holds a position as the Project lead at the Griffith Asia Institute, @griffith.edu.au.

Residents of an informal Port Moresby settlement that was razed following the gang rape and murder of a woman by 20 men say they are being unfairly punished by Papua New Guinea authorities over alleged links to the crime. LINK: www.benarnews.org/english/news... Thank-you for your support.

“Facts Matter,” says Stephen Fry. “Verifiable, testable, provable facts.” Fact checking is vital in the fight against global misinformation. This #FactCheckingDay, show your support for accurate information. Tell the world why #FactsMatter.

A landmark court conviction in PNG related to the murder of a mother-of-five accused of sorcery is being hailed as a major victory in the fight to stop such attacks and murders. Lastest from Sue Ahearn and myself for Radio Free Asia/BenarNews’ Pacific service. www.benarnews.org/english/news...

Legal immunity for security forces, vague use-of-force provisions, spying on citizens all add up to legal overreach by the PNG government, writes Michael Kabuni. www.benarnews.org/english/comm... on Radio Free Asia/BenarNews.

The effects of the recent referendum are now being seen in the #Vanuatu parliament - unsurprisingly Independents are aligning with parties in the governing coalition - which is a mixed blessing for the PM: www.dailypost.vu/news/speaker...

ICYMI: my latest piece for Benar News looks at what the upcoming Australian elections could mean for the #Pacific: www.benarnews.org/english/comm...

What’s happening??!? BenarNews this week. - Hegseth commits US to defense of Pacific territories against China - What Aust’s election holds for Pacific - Tonga, Micronesia see big jump in Aust’s Pacific aid budget - West Papua rebels kill teacher accused of spying www.benarnews.org/english/news...

Tonga and the Federated States of Micronesia will see notable bumps in Australian foreign aid this year, while analysts say there are some indications Canberra is stepping in to fill a void left by the U.S. freeze on USAID. www.benarnews.org/english/news...

Txt STOP to opt out of updates on Top Secret US war plans.

West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) commander claims responsibility for attack that killed a teacher and injured 6 others accused of spying. Indonesian authorities vow swift response, condemn violence as an unprovoked attack on civilians. www.benarnews.org/english/news... BenarNews Pacific.

Public policy folks: when did Australia decide that productivity is all about infrastructure and deregulation and not investment in high quality education and research, which is what economists say you need to be innovative.

🔑 under-discussed point — why they were on signal:

What’s happening??!? BenarNews Pacific this week. - Top Pacific diplomats open to direct talks on Bougainville independence - NZ lobbies US on foreign aid cut - Vanuatu defends passport scheme over US 'travel ban' - Kiribati eyes China deep sea mining deal More: www.benarnews.org/english/news...

#WIISA member @tncpacific.bsky.social will be discussing the book "Melanesia: Travels in Black Oceania" with author Hamish McDonald at a launch event on March 31st at 6pm in Brisbane 📚🌏 Make sure to register if you're interested ⬇️ avidreader.com.au/pages/11396-...

‘Top Pacific diplomats ready for direct talks on Bougainville independence’ Latest from Leah Lowonbu, Harlyne Joku and myself for BenarNews Pacific. #PNG #MSG #PIF LINK: www.benarnews.org/english/news...

Vanuatu has defended its golden passport scheme as the U.S. government reviews potential visa restrictions involving dozens of countries. www.benarnews.org/english/news... via Radio Free Asia/BenarNews

The Trump administration might not cut hundreds of millions of dollars in aid pledged to Pacific island nations, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said after talks in Washington. www.benarnews.org/english/news... via Radio Free Asia/BenarNews

If you need an easy to read round-up of global events and happenings (including some from the #Pacific) - you can't go past International Intrigue: archives.internationalintrigue.io/subscribe?re...

In #PNG, the Marape-Rosso government is using the power of numbers in the Parliament to make some important constitutional changes, including this one pertaining to VONC: www.rnz.co.nz/internationa... #PacificPolitics

Debate on Guam’s future as a US territory intensifies with its legislature due to vote on a non-binding resolution to become a US state amid Pacific geostrategic tensions and expansionist declarations by the Trump administration. LINK: www.benarnews.org/english/news... via BenarNews Pacific.