Independent Analysis and Reportage
COMMENTARY: By Alifereti Sakiasi in Suva The contest for influence in the Pacific is no longer confined to diplomacy, aid projects or infrastructure. Increasingly, it is being waged through information, media and communications networks. A recent report, Understanding China’s Footprint in the Pacific Island Media Landscape, paints a picture of a region where newsrooms are
Amnesty International What is happening right now is [the] erasure of humans, trees and stones, and anything that is Palestinian, by settlers under the support of the military. — Muntasir al-Maliki, a resident of Kufr Malik Palestinian Bedouins lived for generations in the occupied West Bank village of Khirbet Zanuta (Zanuta), sustaining themselves through herding,
By Patrick Decloitre of RNZ Pacific New Caledonia’s political parties are now in marching order to contest the upcoming local provincial elections scheduled to be held in just over a fortnight. The French High Commission has published an initial list of 24 political groupings are running for a seat in New Caledonia’s three provincial assemblies
In the great expanse of oceans, a number of small, remote islands are having their moment in the spotlight. From the Chagos islands to the South China Sea, a string of islands have been thrust suddenly onto the frontline of geopolitics. Now a long-simmering tussle over two rocky islands is creating tension in the South
In the movie, Mary Mapes – under inquisition – was accused of conducting her research under a 'liberal' presumption that George Bush was guilty; whereas, under formal law, accused persons should enjoy the presumption of innocence until proven otherwise. Dan Rather was accused, implicitly, of lacking judgement by going along with this...
COMMENTARY: By Mark Naglazas Trying to get my head around Pete Hegseth’s bonkers, deeply offensive D-Day memorial speech in which the US Secretary of War drew an equivalence between the Allies storming the beaches of Normandy — the largest seaborne invasion in history — with illegal immigrants seeking refuge in Europe. “Sadly, today, different European
By Patrick Decloitre of RNZ Pacific A recent ruling by a French court to drop all charges against pro-independence Kanak leader Christian Téin and 13 others in their alleged role in the May 2024 civil unrest in New Caledonia has triggered a barrage of emotional reactions from across the French Pacific territory’s political chessboard. Last
By Kaya Selby of RNZ Pacific Warning: This story contains detailed accounts of alleged police and military brutality, including torture and sexual assault. The Fiji Police Force has acknowledged that 12 officers were present during a raid involving Kinoya resident Sakiasi Ose Radravu, who his family claims was severely beaten, resulting in his death. His
Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa Today the US and/or Israel have been attacking Iran, Palestine, Lebanon, Yemen and Venezuela. The US is also strangling Cuba with an illegal economic blockade, threatening Greenland and preparing for war against China. History shows that US invasions kill, injure and destroy ordinary people’s lives, homes, essential infrastructure — and they
COMMENTARY: By Lim Tean In 1904, a British geographer named Halford Mackinder stood before the Royal Geographical Society in London and delivered what would become the most prophetic warning in the history of geopolitics: “Who rules the Heartland commands the World Island. Who rules the World Island commands the World.” Mackinder’s insight was deceptively simple.
Asia Pacific Report A New Zealand policy research and advocacy group released a detailed blueprint today for a fresh “independent” Te Tiriti and Pacific-based approach to foreign policy, and called for greater transparency in election year. The current coalition government has “radically shifted New Zealand’s longstanding foreign policy traditions” — including by moving the country
May Pik is a Jewish woman now living in Aotearoa. She gave this perspective on growing up in Israel and why she moved to New Zealand as a talk at a recent national hui of the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA) in Rotorua. COMMENTARY: By May Pik The Israeli narrative is mostly told through the