2023: The prospect of Pacific Island agency

9DASHLINE asks several experts for their assessment of the prospects for Pacific Island agency in 2023 international politics, especially beyond the 'big power influence' by the US and China that has so often been written about in 2022.

Pacific9DLJanuary 25, 20232023: The prospects of Pacific Island agency, 9DashLine, Pacific Islands, climate action, US-China competition for hegemony, Indo-Pacific security dynamics, big power influence, PRIESTLEY HABRU, heterogeneous, colonial, colonialism, great power competition, China, The Solomon Islands, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, United Nations General Assembly, democracy, Taipei, Beijing, economic development, former Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, US President Joe Biden, US-Pacific Partnership Summit, Washington DC, Fiji, Sitiveni Rabuka, Australian Labor government, Australia, Pacific Island Forum (PIF), Suva, geopolitics, JOANNE WALLIS, UK, strategic competition, United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone, climate change, Pacific Islands Forum’s ‘Blue Pacific’ narrative, Blue Pacific, ‘Partners in the Blue Pacific’ (PBP) initiative, New Zealand, Japan, MAIMA KORO, Samoa, US-Pacific Partnership Declaration, HENRIETTA MCNEILL, South Korea, European Union, Cook Islands, Niue, French territories, Micronesian states, 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent

How and why Japan can be an alternative to China in the Indo-Pacific

Written by Kyoko Hatakeyama

Moreover, since Japan has maintained a stable relationship with China — despite their territorial disputes — the region does not have to worry about backlash or anger from China just because they choose Japan over China.

East Asia9DLDecember 16, 20229dashline, How and why Japan can be an alternative to China in the Indo-Pacific, Kyoko Hatakeyama, Japan, China, South China Sea, nine-dash line, Senkaku Island, Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, RCEP, TPP, United States, Trans-Pacific Partnership, trade partner, Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, CPTPP, Tokyo, Beijing, regional economic integration, sphere of influence, Sino-centric order, infrastructure projects, G20 Principles for Quality Infrastructure Investment, G20, Trilateral Partnership for Infrastructure Investment, indo-pacific, Abeonomics, Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Abenomics, Shinzo Abe, South Korea, Taiwan, Jakarta, Bandung, Indonesia, Cambodia, debt, debt trap, Pacific Island states, Solomon Islands, Australia, New Zealand, COVID-19 crisis, COVAX, WHO, ASEAN, Sinovac, Laos, Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), Donald Trump, Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), ‘debt trap’ diplomacy, Asian Development Bank, Nauru, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Philippines, Vietnam, Philippine Coast Guards (PCG), Joko Widodo, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, Natuna archipelago, Natuna Islands, USA

The Bundeswehr in the Indo-Pacific

Written by Rafael Loss and Elisabeth I-Mi Suh

Adopting a rather transactional take and framing the Bundeswehr’s regional engagement in the context of Washington’s focus on China is not wrong, but it is short-sighted.

Europe and the Indo-Pacific9DLDecember 1, 20229DashLine, The Bundeswehr in the Indo-Pacific, Rafael Loss, Betty Suh, Elisabeth I-Mi Suh, Bundeswehr, Indo-Pacific, Germany, Berlin, diplomacy, German federal armed forces, armed forces, joint exercises, NATO, NATO allies, Australia, China, military posture, National Security Strategy, China Strategy, German frigate Bayern, German Navy, navy, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, Eberhard Zorn, Pakistan, Guam, Japan, south korea, Singapore, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, India, South China Sea, innocent passage, Taiwan Strait, Beijing, Shanghai, German Air Force, Eurofighter, jets, transporters, tankers, Rapid Pacific, Pitch Black air combat exercise, Kakadu maritime combat exercise, F-35 stealth aircraft, F-35, Talisman Saber, United States, NATO sumiit, Nato Summit, NATO Strategic Concept, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, New Zealand, cyber, cyber defence, maritime security, climate change, Disinformation, hybrid threats, Canberra, Tokio, Tokyo, Enhanced Opportunity Partner, Multilateralism, Asia-Pacific, deterrence, Taiwan, North Korea, missile tests, Rheinmetall, Russia, Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy, People's Liberation Army, Russian Navy, authoritarian revisionism, White House

More of the same is not the answer to building influence in the Pacific

Written by Meg Taylor DBE and Soli Middleby

While all nations share an interest in promoting a peaceful, safe, and prosperous region, the independent Pacific states do not necessarily share the same geostrategic perspectives as the large powerful economies of the industrialised West.

Pacific9DLOctober 21, 20229DashLine, More of the same is not the answer to build influence in the Pacific, Meg Taylor, Soli Middleby, Pacific, New Zealand, Australia, Pacific interests, geostrategic perspectives, independent Pacific states, West, industrialised West, climate change, non-renewable energy sources, exploration permits, climate adaptation finance, Pacific Resilience Facility, Green Climate Fund, China, sovereignty, Chinese investments, AUKUS, Indo-Pacific strategy, Partners in the Blue Pacific, Indopacific priorities, foreign aid, Western aid paradigm, Chinese-built infrastructure, Asian Development Bank, Papua New Guinea, Japan, United States, India, aid projects, geopolitical competition, Pacific Islands Forum, regional processes, Pacific priorities, Western aid, Chinese aid, aid intermediaries, international organisations, international financial institutions, multinational companies, independent aid agency, Chinese financiers

In Brief: David McAllister MEP

Europe and the Indo-Pacific face increasingly similar challenges in a number of security related areas, such as cyber security, terrorism, organised crime, nuclear security, and non-proliferation. It makes sense to work together more.

In Brief9DLOctober 17, 2022In Brief, 9DashLine, In Brief: David McAllister MEP, Tereza Novotna, European Parliament, European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, Committee on Foreign Affairs, David McAllister, David McAllister MEP, EPP, European People's Party, Germany, Korea, Indo-Pacific, European Union, Russia, Ukraine, Russian aggression, energy crisis, climate change, COVID-19, geostrategic, France, member states, EU Member States, oversea territories, Taiwan Strait, geopolitical, geopolitical competition, Japan, Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Russian war, sanctions, Moscow, cyber security, terrorism, organised crime, nuclear security, Non-proliferation, Indo-Pacific strategy, like-minded partners, ASEAN, European Council, Council of the European Union, Coordinated Maritime Presences, North-Western Indian Ocean, Maritime Area of Interest, Indian Ocean, naval exercises, Djibouti, India, Global Gateway, Europe’s Global Gateway, Global Gateway initiative, Brussels, Taipei, EU-Taiwan dialogue, European Army, Strategic Compass, Rapid Deployment Force, IN BRIEF: DAVID MCALLISTER MEP

US interest in the Pacific Islands tested at Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders

Written by Henrietta McNeill and Joanne Wallis

This week’s meeting, and President Biden’s meeting with Pacific leaders, will both be key signals for how Pacific states are responding to the US’ sudden renewed interest in the region.

Pacific9DLSeptember 12, 20229DashLine, US interest in the Pacific Islands tested at Pacific Island Conference of Leaders, Henrietta McNeill, Joanne Wallis, US, Pacific Islands, Pacific Islands Forum, Pacific Island Conference of Leaders, regionalism, PICL, Hawaii, Fiji, 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, Micronesian five, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, China, Wang Yi, Timor-Leste, Frank Bainimarama, Kamala Harris, George Ariyoshi, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, David W. Panuelo, Micronesia, Northern Pacific Ocean, Guam, Compact of Free Association, CNMI, FSM, Marshall Islands, Pacific Islands Development Programme, Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific, East-West Center, US Congress, Honiara, Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Joe Biden, Manasseh Sogavare, Forum Fisheries Agency, Australia, New Zealand

Chagos Islands and the struggle for Global Britain

Written by Catherine Craven

For Britain, maintaining control over Indian Ocean Territory remains fundamental to its foreign, trade and migration policy interests — but also to its allies.

US efforts to strengthen collective defence in Europe won’t come free for Asia

Written by Tom Corben

What will frustrate many in Asia is that the urgency evident in these new US commitments to collective defence in Europe is yet to be mirrored in parallel efforts in the Indo-Pacific.

NATO and the ‘Asia-Pacific Four’: Renewed purpose for cooperation

Written by Alexandra Sakaki

NATO has not only increased its attention to Asian security dynamics and challenges over the past years, but it has also sought to strengthen relations with the AP4 countries.

South Korea eyes Europe for its future

Written by Eunwoo Lee

South Korea, whose external engagement has so far revolved around the intractable security stances of the US and China, can surely hedge its security interests by embracing Europe.

Tale of two summits: Why Jacinda Ardern said no to the Commonwealth, but yes to NATO

Written by Geoffrey Miller

And given the focus on Western unity and solidarity in recent months, there’s every chance Jacinda Ardern would travel together with Anthony Albanese on any European side-trip to Ukraine — on a joint ANZAC solidarity mission.

Pacific9DLJune 22, 2022Tale of two summits – Why Jacinda Ardern said no to the Commonwealth, but yes to NATO, 9DASHLINE, GEOFFREY MILLER, China, NATO, New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, Anthony Albanese, Australia, Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, Commonwealth, Kigali, Nato Summit, Nanaia Mahuta, Richard Marles, Rwanda, Freedom House, Russia, ANZAC, Ukraine, Paul Kagame, UK, Prince Charles, Human Rights, Human Rights Watch, HRW, Amnesty International, Māori, Commonwealth Games, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, APEC, UN, Small Island Developing States, Commonwealth Litter Programme, Vanuatu, Canada, Global South, Global North, South Africa, Mozambique, Cold War, Japan, Pacific Islands Forum, AUKUS, United Kingdom, NATO Madrid Summit, South Korea, Stoltenberg, Brussels, Europe, EU, Volodymyr Zelensky, Kyiv, Boris Johnson, France, Macron, Germany, Olaf Scholz, Democracy Project

Despite IPEF setback, Taiwan-ASEAN ties are on the right track

Written by Marshall Reid and Zoe Weaver-Lee

Fuelled by rapidly growing private investment, state-led cooperative initiatives and broader changes in regional trade flows, Taiwan has established itself as a key economic player in the ASEAN region.

What will the Czech Republic’s EU presidency mean for China?

Written by Filip Šebok

In July, the Czech Republic takes over the reins of the EU presidency from France. While Ukraine will most likely dominate the agenda, Prague is still set up to offer new impulses on the bloc’s China policy, especially within the larger framework of the Indo-Pacific.

Pacific9DLMay 31, 20229DashLine, Czech Republic, Czechia, France, Ukraine, EU, European Union, FILIP ŠEBOK, China, Prague, Beijing, Brussels, Andrej Babiš, Taiwan, Human Rights, Václav Havel, Beijing Olympics, Miloš Zeman, Vladimír Tomšík, Jan Lipavský, Lithuania, CEE, Tibetan Government in Exile, Tibet, Badiucao, Uyghurs, Czech Chamber of Deputies' Foreign Affairs Committee, 16+1, Indo-Pacific, Libor Sečka, The Netherlands, Germany, 5G, Prague Proposals, Australia, Indonesia, New Zealand, Washington, US, climate change, Japan, South Korea, India, ASEAN, EU Commission, Russia, Huo Yuzhen, What will the Czech Republic’s EU presidency mean for China?, Czechoslovakia, indo-pacific, Beijing Winter Olympics, Olympics, Central and Eastern Europe, President Zeman, Uyghur, Netherlands, United States, China Observers in Central and Eastern Europe, Association for International Affairs, MapInfluenCE

The politics of Shanghai’s lockdown

Written by Eric Hundman

Disagreements between officials who rise through Shanghai’s ‘political hotbed’ and those in other factions have long been key to understanding the intra-CCP political dynamics and personnel shifts so important for determining policy outcomes.

New Zealand’s strategy in the Pacific: Intentional and consistent

Written by Henrietta McNeill

New Zealand’s approach in the Pacific is intentionally predicated on having long-standing trusted relationships with the Pacific Islands region, emphasising Pacific agency rather than acting reactively and impulsively.

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat: Challenges and unity

Written by Daniel Julian Savua

While the PIF started in the era of regionalism and cooperation between nations, it has now turned to individualism with some nations taking steps that are best for them rather than the region.

In Brief: David Hutt and Dr Lucas Knotter, our new associate editors

9DL recently welcomed David Hutt and Dr Lucas Knotter to our team as our new associate editors. Our Editor-in-Chief, Dr Manali Kumar, recently sat down with them to learn more about their work and plans to help take the platform forward.

Cope North 2022: Deepening security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific

Written by Bec Strating

Both the 2022 Cope North exercise and the Tonga example highlight concerns that hard and soft security are not so easily distinguishable.