NZ ramps up maritime surveillance in Pacific drug crackdown 1news.co.nz/2026/10/19/nz-ra… There's plans to expand the use of uncrewed vessels to fight the rapidly increasing drug trade flooding the region along with other major security risks.

Vanuatu says it expects fall in China's police presence after signing Nakamal Agreement with Australia abc.net.au/news/2026-10-19/v… A potentially significant strategic win for Canberra which believes Beijing is using police training to embed itself as a Pacific security partner.

New Era for Pacific Policing: Police Chiefs Endorse PACPOL nationaltribune.com.au/new-e… In a landmark decision Pacific Police Chiefs have endorsed the Constitution of the Pacific Community of Policing (PACPOL), formally establishing a new era of Pacific-led policing cooperation.

NEW ARTICLE: Whose security is it anyway? Is the Pacific’s climate-security frame facing a hostile takeover? linkedin.com/pulse/whose-sec… As Britain drives a new 'climate security' agenda before COP31, the Pacific risks losing authorship of a frame it wrote first.

Much Greenland news lately. Meantime, on the opposite side of the world… rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/14284… U.S. military presence at Cook Islands port 'being negotiated', ambassador says

55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, Palau, 31 August – 3 September 2026, Leaders Meeting Communique. forumsec.org/publications/le… In Koror, Leaders quietly did some serious institution-building pointing to a region formalizing its own security cooperation on its own timeline.

NZ and U.S. to build major port on former military base in Cook Islands 1news.co.nz/2026/09/01/nz-an… The U.S. throws down a gauntlet in the Pacific revealing it’s to develop a deep sea port in the Cook Islands – with NZ playing a core role and contributing to the cost.

Who controls the Pacific’s communications? devpolicy.org/who-controls-t… At both ends of the system through which information travels, Pacific countries are increasingly dependent on infrastructure and technology controlled elsewhere.

Kiribati considers constitutional change to cement diplomatic recognition of China abc.net.au/news/2026-08-26/k… The bill doesn't mention China or Taiwan but specifies diplomatic relations must only be maintained with UN members or permanent observers, which excludes Taiwan.

China ‘Likely’ Ran Targeted Campaign To Align Pacific With Its Latest Five-Year Plan eurasiareview.com/23082026-c… Analysts warn success could deepen economic dependence, reduce Taiwan recognition, and shift institutional norms.

Why the Pacific Islands Forum Should Watch Taiwan’s East Coast thediplomat.com/2026/08/why-… The waters east of Taiwan sit within a strategically integrated maritime space stretching from Northeast Asia, through Micronesia and Melanesia, to Polynesia.

Chinese research vessel sparks alarm in Palau after repeated incursions abc.net.au/news/2026-08-13/c… Security experts fear the vessel and dozens of others might be gathering intelligence for a military purpose that could aid Beijing in the event of a future conflict over Taiwan.

Bougainville and Papua New Guinea decide on date for referendum result to be tabled rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/90298… After months of uncertainty, both governments have resolved that the Bougainville referendum results will be tabled for parliamentary deliberation in a few week's time.

Japan’s 2026 Defense White Paper Warns of China’s Expanding Military Reach in the Pacific thediplomat.com/2026/08/japa… This year’s white paper places particular emphasis on Beijing’s growing ability to project military power beyond the First Island Chain.

Australia supplants China as Pacific's biggest lender abc.net.au/news/2026-07-28/n… China now favors frequent, small grants as big project lending subsides.

Solomons PM says U.S to finance key port after Chinese interest channelnewsasia.com/world/so… The first major project likely to emerge is Bina Harbor, a deep water port where Washington and Canberra had feared China could build a dual-purpose military and civilian port.

New article just out. The Tariffs That Missed the Pacific… And Hit It Anyway. linkedin.com/pulse/tariffs-m… No Pacific state was named in the new U.S. Section 301 tariffs — but exposure through the region’s other trading partners remains real.

China security partner Solomon Islands to sign US Coast Guard patrol deal scmp.com/news/us/diplomacy/a… Agreement will allow US vessels to patrol with local police as Honiara expands maritime ties with Washington despite close Beijing links.