Comment on Ben Morgan’s Pacific Update – Security discussions at the Pacific Islands Forum – Foreign Ministers Meeting by Rahui

The Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting is approaching fast. Radio NZ reported that “Disagreement from some China-aligned Pacific Islands countries has prevented regional countries within the Pacific Islands Forum issuing a joint statement against missile testing in the Pacific.” Exercise RIMPAC 2026The world’s largest maritime exercise, Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), finished on 31 July. US – Solomon Islands security deal creates political tensionA new US – Solomon Islands security deal, called a ‘ship rider’ agreement that allows US Coast Guard vessels into Solomon Islands waters, to conduct joint law enforcement and surveillance operations alongside local police has ignited political tension in the small nation. However, the opposition party in the Solomon Islands parliament argues that the agreement will prejudice Solomon Islands sovereignty.