🚨Ep. 2 of "Hughes News": I invited Stephen Dziedzic from ABC News back to the podcast to chat about China's live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea, the Cook Islands' new comp. strategic partnership w/ China, Australia's federal elections, and more! plus.econvue.com/publish/post/1…

“10 is a good number & Raisina is 10 today.” - Samir Saran Many thx to Raisina Dialogue for the incredible programming so far. I’m so glad to have reunited w/ many old friends & colleagues alike. #RaisinaDialogue2025

🚨Amb. Ann Marie Yastishock, the U.S. Amb. to PNG (along w/ the Solomon Islands & Vanuatu), met w/ Solomon Islands PM Manele on Friday. She confirmed that the Trump admin *will* nominate a resident ambassador for the SI, but their name has yet TBA. solomonstarnews.com/u-s-to-nominat…

oof - a double-whammy for China

Good piece by Ben Doherty on Chinese "branding" of Asian Development Bank (ADB) projects - a truly problematic & troubling trend in the Pacific, along w/ the future trajectory of Bougainville. theguardian.com/australia-news…

🚨 Joint Statement on U.S. – Cook Islands Cooperation on Seabed Mineral Resources 🇨🇰 & 🇺🇸 "are pleased to announce our cooperation to advance scientific research and the responsible development of seabed mineral resources." 🔗 to presser below ⬇️ pmoffice.gov.ck/2025/08/05/joi…

The Australian American Leadership Dialogue is a diplomatic initiative, which brings together Australian and American leaders from government, enterprise, defence, technology, education and the community. And for the first time ever, Adelaide is hosting the Leadership Dialogue.

An eventful last week for NSC’s David Copley re the Pacific Islands (and he was also just in the Cook Islands)