Defence diplomacy in the Pacific: what the Australia–PNG treaty means
On 16 September 2025, Papua New Guineans celebrated independence, marking 50 years since its separation from Australia. The following day, Prime Ministers James Marape and Anthony Albanese came together in Port Moresby to announce their commitment to the landmark ‘Pukpuk’ defence treaty, the first alliance of its kind for Australia since ANZUS in 1951. The treaty carries implications not only for Australia’s Pacific strategy and Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) domestic politics, but also for the wider regional power struggle between the United States (US), China and other powers in the Pacific. … Continue readingDefence diplomacy in the Pacific: what the Australia–PNG treaty means