cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/10035660
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been on a hot streak of Pacific diplomacy. Over the past week, Australia has inked three pacts – the Nakamal Agreement with Vanuatu, the Ocean of Peace Alliance and the Vuvale Union, both with Fiji – which are reshaping the region’s security architecture. These positive developments have been overshadowed by a Chinese submarine test-firing a missile carrying a dummy warhead into Pacific waters, which analysts say is a direct warning to Pacific countries and a reminder of the PLA’s reach and presence.
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While the missile test may be a demonstration of China’s arsenal, Beijing may have just handed Albanese the ammunition he needs to put the tussle for regional security to bed.
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A missile test makes Pacific countries spectators in their own region, much like they were during the Second World War. Albanese’s opening is to offer something different – partnerships that give Pacific countries legitimacy and agency over their own security, not another arrangement decided over their heads.
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Pacific leaders have said for years that they don’t want their region to be a theatre for someone else’s power contest. They want responsibility for their own security, not protection from it. China just gave them, and Albanese, the clearest possible proof of what they worry about.
Pacific leaders have said for years that they don’t want their region to be a theatre for someone else’s power contest. They want responsibility for their own security, not protection from it.
Morally, absolutely, each sovereign nation should be taking responsibility for their own security.
Practically, though… an island nation like Fiji doesn’t have the budget or the manpower to run a large enough navy to patrol their own waters, and never mind ensuring security in the ocean around them. They can’t even keep all the illegal Chinese fishers out. How would they resist a military force? The same is true for every Pacific island nation except maybe Australia.
We can all agree that in principle they should be able to manage their own security independently, but I don’t see how that can be done in practice without the required tools.