Jeremiah Manele remains Solomon Islands PM. With Gordon Darcy Lilo withdrawing the motion on no confidence yesterday, there has been at least 9 motions submitted in 🇸🇧since 2010 and only 2 have been successful in triggering leadership change.

Chinese pressure is a part of Solomon Islands’ politics. Other Pacific countries should take note | Blake Johnson | bit.ly/4kDluQb

Pacific island countries need support to address information manipulation | Blake Johnson | bit.ly/3YNZadZ

ASPI's Pacific Perspectives series, authored by Pacific island security experts, is live. 1st piece by Mary Kalola, Royal Solomon Islands Police Force analyst, who looks at intel sharing, training & talent retention in Pacific intel & a lot more: aspistrategist.org.au/the-pacific-ne…

I'm proud to be coordinating ASPI's new Pacific Perspectives project, bringing the voices of Pacific national security experts to a more global stage. First up is an article on Pacific regional intelligence cooperation. Stay tuned for more... aspistrategist.org.au/the-pacific-ne…

Thread on the Joint Statement of the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, which was released last night. Some interesting elements 1/ mfa.gov.cn/eng/wjbzhd/202…

"We are looking into that"- Solomon Islands PM Jeremiah Manele doesn't give a definitive answer when asked if Taiwan will be able to attend PIF Leaders meeting in Honiara. Says he's "working very closely" with PIF Secretariat. The line on "national interest" in a bit ambiguous

As China vows to open its markets to Pacific Island nations following US cuts to foreign aid and global tariffs, Blake Johnson tells the Financial Times: “They’ll be making the most of it. China is now seen as a more reliable partner over the US.” Read more ⤵️ ft.com/content/197ae0…

“When Papua New Guinea is secure, Australia is secure. And when Australia I secure, PNG is secure.” PNG Defence Minister Dr Billy Joseph explains to the ASPI Defence Conference 2025 the strategic imperative for even closer partnership between 🇵🇬 & 🇦🇺. #OnPAR25

Blunt comments from PNG Defence Minister Billy Joseph at ASPI conference - suggests PLAN circumnavigation was a reminder of "threats" facing region - PNG Australia defence treaty sends a clear "message" that "when it comes to security, we choose our traditional partners"

Important piece by Ben McKay on Pacific media struggling after US cuts. The vacuum is being filled by China. Already, we see a big increase republished CGTN (a CCP state media outlet widely accused of spreading propaganda) content online. nit.com.au/04-06-2025/183…

Story: Solomon Islands blocked visit by Taiwan MOFA officials in March ahead of PIF leaders meeting this year. But Pacific officials remain confident they’ve got an understanding with Honiara that Taiwan WON’T be locked out when leaders gather in September abc.net.au/news/2025-06-0…

China's police team in Vanuatu has never operated in secret but there seemed to be a bit of reticence about publicity for a while. Not anymore! Chinese Embassy post from April features drone shots of motorcycle demonstration complete with soaring music etc facebook.com/share/16cXy8bt…

Another great Pacific Perspectives article out in ASPI The Strategist looking at Solomon Islands' implementation of their national security strategy and national healing. aspistrategist.org.au/22-years-after…

Our blog reflects on the Pacific media’s critical role as a pillar of democracy, highlights the fragility of this pillar and the threats it faces, examines how Aust aid is making a difference and identifies key gaps in intervention efforts to strengthen media resilience:

China’s meeting was mostly talk, but the Pacific still listened | Blake Johnson and Astrid Young | bit.ly/3SVrVlI

It's a tricky situation, but decisions like this don't do NZ any favours in steering Cook Islands away from a deeper partnership with China.

ASPI Defence Conference: Australia’s shared security with PNG and the Pacific | Blake Johnson and Astrid Young | bit.ly/4k6wx3E

In the Canberra Times, Blake Johnson explains why climate action, managing rising strategic competition, and regional unity in the Pacific will be central to Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka's engagements in Australia this week. Read it now ⤵️ canberratimes.com.au/story/9005989/…

Blunt from Rabuka. He's asked if China should be permitted to get a security foothold or military base in the Pacific. He says: "who would welcome them? Not Fiji." But he adds he isn't convinced Beijing *is* seeking such a presence, saying they don't need it to project power