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Patricia O’Brien

Patricia O’Brien

The Diplomat

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Jeremiah Manele Becomes Solomon Islands Prime Minister

Whatever window of opportunity the election presented for a change of course on the geopolitical front has closed. But Manele has an opportunity still...

03.05.2024 20

The Diplomat

Patricia O’Brien

Sogavare Stands Down as Dust Settles From Solomon Islands Election

The four-time prime minister says he won’t contest for the top office, with the election results repudiating in part the geopolitical direction...

29.04.2024 40

The Diplomat

Patricia O’Brien

China, Fiji and the Fentanyl Scourge

Recent sensational revelations show how extensively Fiji has been affected by – and integral to – one of the most sensitive dimensions of...

27.04.2024 40

The Diplomat

Patricia O’Brien

Is This the End of the COFA Saga?

With COFA funding expected to finally get congressional approval, the U.S. will need to work to overcome the negative perceptions generated by the...

08.03.2024 10

The Diplomat

Patricia O’Brien

Marape’s State Visit Puts Australia-Papua New Guinea Bonhomie on Display

For Australia, it is critical to keep good ties with PNG amid China's growing influence.

12.02.2024 20

The Diplomat

Patricia O’Brien

COFA Collateral Damage and Its Consequences: A View from Palau

Palau President Surangel Whipps says that “there was optimism and hope” when the Palau-U.S. compact agreement was signed. But concerns are...

09.02.2024 20

The Diplomat

Patricia O’Brien

Nauru’s Geopolitical Clout  

The diplomatic battle between Taipei and Beijing is but one arena where Nauru is flexing muscle that greatly exceeds its demographic and geographic...

17.01.2024 10

The Diplomat

Patricia O’Brien

Australia’s Start to 2024 Sets the Stage for a Challenging Year

As 2023 ended and 2024 began, Australia navigates a bevvy of difficult issues both at home and far abroad.

08.01.2024 6

The Diplomat

Patricia O’Brien

Bougainville’s President Toroama Goes to Washington

The people of Bougainville, President Ishmael Toroama, says, “do want their freedom and do want justice.” Will the U.S. support that quest or...

14.11.2023 20

The Diplomat

Patricia O’Brien

Can the Australia-US Alliance Overcome Fraught Politics in Washington?

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s state visit to the United States celebrated the alliance between the United States and Australia, which...

30.10.2023 2

The Diplomat

Patricia O’Brien

Australia Says ‘No’ to Indigenous Voice

Australia’s Voice to Parliament Referendum went down in flames in the October 14 vote. An overwhelming majority of Australians voted “no” to the...

16.10.2023 2

The Diplomat

Patricia O’Brien

‘Oppenheimer,’ Nuclear Amnesia, and the US Pacific Legacy

Since the release of the blockbuster film, “Oppenheimer,” in July 2023, global audiences have been confronting history about U.S. atomic weapons...

10.10.2023 2

The Diplomat

Patricia O’Brien

US Pacific Policy Forges Ahead With Successful 2nd Summit

As with the inaugural summit last year, the second U.S.-Pacific Islands summit in Washington, D.C., featured a raft of initiatives with attached...

28.09.2023 2

The Diplomat

Patricia O’Brien

What to Expect From the 2nd US-Pacific Islands Summit

Pacific leaders will be welcomed back to Washington D.C. for the second summit with the United States on September 25. This year there is a slight,...

22.09.2023 2

The Diplomat

Patricia O’Brien

2 Years On, AUKUS Continues to Raise Questions

As the AUKUS security pact marks its second birthday on September 15, questions continue to surround the agreement between Australia, the United...

15.09.2023 1

The Diplomat

Patricia O’Brien

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