AUKUS faces little threat from Trump, Aussie officials say

AUKUS faces little threat from Trump, Aussie officials say
AUKUS faces little threat from Trump, Aussie officials say

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called Trump to offer his congratulations. “We talked about the importance of the Alliance, and the strength of the Australia-US relationship in security, AUKUS, trade and investment,” he said in a tweet.

US Heritage Foundation offers Pacific Islands’ blueprint for Trump

US Heritage Foundation offers Pacific Islands’ blueprint for Trump
US Heritage Foundation offers Pacific Islands’ blueprint for Trump

“The Pacific Islands occupy a pivotal location that is important to U.S. efforts to protect Americans and deny China’s regional hegemonic ambitions,” Andrew Harding, the report’s author says.

China’s ‘dangerous actions,’ and regional chess moves: The Pacific in 2023

China’s ‘dangerous actions,’ and regional chess moves: The Pacific in 2023
China’s ‘dangerous actions,’ and regional chess moves: The Pacific in 2023

Months of Chinese harassment of Philippine vessels culminated in early December with up to 135 Chinese ships swarming the Philippines around Scarborough Shoal.

US, Aussies funding Google undersea internet cables for Pacific Islands, with geostrategic implications

US, Aussies funding Google undersea internet cables for Pacific Islands, with geostrategic implications
US, Aussies funding Google undersea internet cables for Pacific Islands, with geostrategic implications

The investment by Australia and the United States into funding the new Google internet cables means the Pacific islands can avoid becoming integral parts of China’s global data collection.

How New Zealand is trying to expand military relations with its Pacific Island neighbors

How New Zealand is trying to expand military relations with its Pacific Island neighbors
How New Zealand is trying to expand military relations with its Pacific Island neighbors

Wellington’s overtures to the Pacific Island nations are starting to see results as its new approach to the region sees relations improve allowing for more in-depth defence engagement.

First ever visit to Papua New Guinea by a US SecDef announced, as Pacific Islands import grows

First ever visit to Papua New Guinea by a US SecDef announced, as Pacific Islands import grows
First ever visit to Papua New Guinea by a US SecDef announced, as Pacific Islands import grows

The announcement of Austin’s visit to Papua New Guinea came in the wake of more signs that that neighboring Solomon Islands continues to move towards China as its key partner.

New info on AUKUS sub deal ‘shortly’: NSC’s Kurt Campbell

New info on AUKUS sub deal ‘shortly’: NSC’s Kurt Campbell
New info on AUKUS sub deal ‘shortly’: NSC’s Kurt Campbell

Campbell, the NSC’s coordinator for Indo-Pacific affairs, said the US will launch a new effort next week to help the Pacific islands, including initiatives to build new embassies.