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.
5 Indo-Pacific stories: China’s neighbors clasp hands while AUKUS tumbles along
The biggest strategic shift in the Indo-Pacific was clearly the combination of China's economy faltering at the same time as turmoil roiled the top echelons of the Chinese Communist Party and its government.
New data shows US topped China ‘Belt and Road’ spending in Pacific Islands by 2021
Beijing and Washington have been in a tug of war over political influence for the 14 Pacific Island nations.
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.
All domain C2, data sharing key for Talisman Sabre: US 3-star
The new Combined Joint Network Operations Security Center (CJ-NOSC) "gives us the ability [to] collaborate along with our partners, which hasn't existed before," US Lt. Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of Army I Corps, told Breaking Defense.
All-Domain operations key focus of vast Aussie Talisman Sabre exercise
"We've just seen an awesome demonstration of firepower here, from different weapons platforms, from different nations. But importantly, all used the same battlefield command and Strategy Center to aim for those targets," Lt. Gen. Greg Bilton, the Australian Defence Force's chief of joint operations, said.
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.
US, Papua New Guinea boost defense ties in wake of Solomon Islands deal with China
A Coast Guard spokeswoman noted that being turned away from the Solomons "allowed for increased partnership with Papua New Guinea, supporting strategic objectives and strengthening regional relationships."
SecDef Mattis To Tap Former Army FAO For DASD South Asia
WASHINGTON: One of the more important national security jobs in this town, deputy assistant defense secretary for south and southeast asia, will be filled by a former Army officer with extensive foreign affairs and counterinsurgency experience, a well placed source tells us. Retired Col. Joe Felter, who now works at Stanford’s Hoover Institute, “led the […]
F-22s Coming To Australia Next Year: PACOM’s Adm. Harris
SYDNEY: While it will be a short deployment, Australia and the United States have agreed to deploy America’s most advanced fighter next year as part of the Enhanced Air Cooperation (EAC) Initiative that has seen B-2 bombers and other advanced American aircraft deployed to the lucky country. Adm. Harry Harris, head of Pacific Command, disclosed […]