Penny Wong’s new Pacific solution

News Snapshot:

“They are an indication of Canberra’s intention to ramp up its security engagement in the region, and to reduce the attractiveness of security agreements with China,” she says. Despite Solomon Islands PM Manasseh Sogavare offering assurances his deal with China will not lead to a permanent Chinese military presence in his country, the risk that it does raises the prospect of Australia being cut off from key supply lines, including the US, in a conflict. Leverage There is recognition that developing countries will try to use their leverage and play off China against Australia, the US and Japan. The challenge...