‘Statecraftiness’: Mapping Power and Influence in the Pacific Islands
The recent Pacific Islands Forum leaders’ meeting highlighted the region’s crowded and complex geopolitics. And as more partner states jostle to carve out their own roles, the ‘Statecraftiness’ project from the University of Adelaide offers a way for policymakers to keep track of how various actors are using tools of statecraft to expand their influence in the region. Through resources such as an interactive online map and in-depth interviews, the project presents an expansive look at what tools of statecraft are being deployed, where they are being targeted, and what impact they are making on the frontlines of geopolitical competition in the Pacific Islands.
On September 12, USIP hosted a conversation about the major lessons from the Statecraftiness project and what they mean for the United States, Australia, and other states seeking to exercise influence in the Pacific Islands region.
Speakers
Dr. Gordon Peake, moderator
Senior Advisor, Pacific Islands, U.S. Institute of Peace
Dr. Joanne Wallis
Professor of International Security and Director of the Security in the Pacific Islands Research Program, University of Adelaide; Non-resident Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution
Dr. Henrietta McNeill
Research Fellow, Department of Pacific Affairs, Australian National University
