Commentaries

80

The Sino-US Realpolitik in the Pacific Region

The once politically peaceful, geographically isolated and sea-locked Pacific region is becoming a pawn in the game of power politics among traditional and regional powers over the past years. The assertive and bold Chinese behaviour in the region has triggered the US to make a strong comeback to it...

78

Coronavirus Impact on Sri Lankan and Maldivian Economies

The spillover effects of a global economic downturn due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis is likely to curtail Sri Lanka and Maldives annual economic growth. Furthermore, the coronavirus cases climbed to more than 1450 cases in both these southern neighbours of India. The two island economies are de...

74

Changes in Maldivian Politics

Maldives will take a decisive turn along the path of democracy when the potentially important South Asian nation elects over 950 councilors in the forthcoming local council elections. In the ten years since the Decentralization Act was passed into law there have been three Local Council Electio...

70

China in the Pacific: A Threat?

Over the past two decades, China has widened and deepened its economic and diplomatic footprint in the Pacific Island Countries (PICs). This unprecedented Chinese power posturing in the Blue Pacific region has caused trepidation in the corridors of power in Washington, Canberra, Wellington and Tokyo...

69

Submarine Cables, Espionage, and China

Deep in the oceans rest the arteries and veins which pump life into the 21st   century as it did in the 19th and even 18th Century. These essentials are also, or, rather officially known as submarine cables. These cables are spread over 750 miles and are anchored to the sea floor connectin...