Redlands18
Well-Known Member
It has to be one of the all time great Maritime mysteries as to why there were no survivors or even very little evidence that anyone even got of the Ship
Australia is sending AFP and ADF personnel to the Solomon Islands at the request of the Solomon Islands Government after unrest over the last few days !
www.abc.net.au
www.skynews.com.au
www.theaustralian.com.au
Hopefully all will be safe and a small deployment to help restore public order !
Australian forces on urgent mission to Solomon Islands after civil unrest rocks Pacific nation
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says Australian troops and police will be sent to Solomon Islands to help stabilise the island nation amid growing violence and unrest.
www.abc.net.au
Scott Morrison announces Australia will deploy AFP, ADF to Solomon Islands
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced more than 100 Federal Police and Defence Force personnel will be deployed to the Solomon Islands to assist the nation amid widespread civil unrest.
www.skynews.com.au
NoCookies | The Australian
www.theaustralian.com.au
Hopefully all will be safe and a small deployment to help restore public order !
cdxbow
Well-Known Member
I wasn't sure where to post this, Indonesia and the Papua Issue: Resolution Increasingly Unlikely – The Diplomat it remains a festering sore to our north which, for geostrategic reasons, we in Oz avert our eyes to.
cdxbow
Well-Known Member
More festering sores.Australia is sending AFP and ADF personnel to the Solomon Islands at the request of the Solomon Islands Government after unrest over the last few days !
Australian forces on urgent mission to Solomon Islands after civil unrest rocks Pacific nation
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says Australian troops and police will be sent to Solomon Islands to help stabilise the island nation amid growing violence and unrest.
Scott Morrison announces Australia will deploy AFP, ADF to Solomon Islands
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced more than 100 Federal Police and Defence Force personnel will be deployed to the Solomon Islands to assist the nation amid widespread civil unrest.
NoCookies | The Australian
Hopefully all will be safe and a small deployment to help restore public order !
I thought this was a terrific article about the problems in Melanesia - No short-term solution to Solomon Islands strife | The Strategist (aspistrategist.org.au) It certainly reflected my concerns re their PM and how trouble seems to follow him around. Also the irony of him being opposed to RAMSI a decade or so ago, to asking quickly for Australian intervention on this occasion.
And another festering sore that may erupt into a boil on Macron's arse, creating problems in the region. The French don't do decolonisation well at the best of times and Macron wants the third vote of the binding referendum held this December for domestic French politic reasons - his re-election. However in New Caledonia, local conditions such as COVID-19 will impact in the ability for a fair vote. The whole deal could unravel and civil war could break out.
New Caledonia Vote Threatens Peaceful Change | Newsroom
New Caledonia Vote Threatens Peaceful Change | Newsroom
cdxbow
Well-Known Member
In the current geostrategic environment, all these are situations which could lead to meddling from our large friend to the north.
Yes, and West Papua is likely to be the biggest concern.
Australia can't just close its eyes and hope for the best here
MB
Gryphinator
Active Member
Until last year I would have pushed for us to help West Papua with independence just like East Timor, but now we need Indonesia. Bit of a catch 22. I feel we are closing our eyes and hoping for the best.
Australia has always need Indonesia, especially since the CCP / PRC have started being bolshie and obnoxious. Don't forget that works both ways as well. Yes West Papua is a problem but you could sheet home some of the blame for that to the Dutch.
cdxbow
Well-Known Member
This article from the Diplomat fills in some more detail about the events that led to the riots. Foreign Intervention Complicates Solomon Islands Unrest – The Diplomat The author documents the role of the PRC in the initiation of the troubles, but doesn't feel our intervention is wise. She is as unimpressed as I am with the PM.
The current government of the Solomon Islands is the legitimate and recognised government. It has made a request to Canberra, Wellington and other PIF capitals for assistance which all have either responded to by providing assistance or, in the case of Wellington, are assessing the request. Whilst there are claims of CCP / PRC interference in Solomon Islands internal affairs, and I strongly suspect that those claims are valid, they are not relevant to the mission of the forces on the ground in the Solomon Islands.
cdxbow
Well-Known Member
I don't think I have argued otherwise. It's appropriate for Oz to respond to the request. The current PM has been in the middle of trouble quite a few times already, enough to form a pattern. I expect we will have a lot more from him.
Well lets keep Australian politics out of it. We do have a no politics rule unless it specifically refers to defence, and your gripes do not refer to defence.
Last Saturday the Leader of the Opposition in the Solomon Islands Parliament tabled a motion of no confidence in the Prime Minister. It is supposed to be debated within seven days and will be debated at some stage next week.
Parliament Resumes Today - Solomon Times Online
New Zealand is sending a force comprising of 65 NZDF and NZ Police personnel. An advance party of 15 head over tomorrow with the rest following in the weekend.
Solomon Islands crisis: New Zealand sends troops and police to assist with humanitarian crisis looming - NZ Herald
cdxbow
Well-Known Member
You have misinterpreted, I have made no mention of Oz politics, I was referring to the Solomon's PM. He's trouble. He has been trouble in the past and will be more trouble in the future.
Fair enough, I stand corrected and apologise.
recce.k1
Well-Known Member
HMAS Armidale has arrived in the Solomon Islands "to support local forces in maritime security". Should be an interesting deployment for the crew and a valuable security presence overall - good work RAN!
An interesting blog post authored by a Solomon Islander.
Solomon Islands’ slippery slide to self-implosion - Devpolicy Blog from the Development Policy Centre
Solomon Islands’ slippery slide to self-implosion - Devpolicy Blog from the Development Policy Centre
Lowry Asia power index 2021 is out.
Australia - Lowy Institute Asia Power Index
Australia - Lowy Institute Asia Power Index
Some quite interesting reading in that. Thanks for the link.
Rock the kasbah
Active Member
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Australia’s defense industry minister: The importance of AUKUS and a strong economy
The Indo-Pacific region is now at the center of strategic competition, and military modernization is occurring at an unprecedented rate. It is vital that Australia maintains its capability edge.
www.defensenews.com
If anyone is interested