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China, Cybersecurity, and Digital Shifts: Insights from Seminar 5

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In the latest session of PG420 International and Regional Security seminar, students delved into the intricate world of cybersecurity, focusing on the evolving cyber strategies of China and the United States. The seminar opened with a moment of silence in honor of the late Dr. Alphonse Aime, followed by an introduction to the speakers and the ground rules for discussion. A major theme of the seminar was the response of the U.S. to China’s expanding cyber capabilities. One presenter detailed various U.S. strategies, including the use of sanctions, international collaboration, and efforts to establish a cyber code of conduct. The discussion highlighted that despite tensions, both China and the U.S. have mutual interests in cybersecurity, and fostering dialogue could lead to a more stable global cyber environment. Engaging third parties to mediate disputes was also suggested as a potential avenue for de-escalation. The seminar also examined how Chinese intelligence agencies have adapted...
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Understanding the Facebook Shutdown in PNG: Rights, Responsibilities, and National Security

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The temporary shutdown of Facebook today in PNG has triggered widespread speculation and criticism. Many citizens are interpreting this decision as a political maneuver to suppress freedom of speech. However, such interpretations overlook the constitutional foundations of this action and risk creating unnecessary confusion. It is important to approach this matter by understanding the difference between qualified rights and absolute rights in the PNG Constitution, and how national security considerations can justify certain temporary restrictions. Screenshot of Police Minister's Statement on successful testing of ICT Control systems. In PNG, rights are not absolute across the board. The Constitution explicitly differentiates between absolute rights , which cannot be restricted under any circumstances, and qualified rights , which may be limited under specific conditions such as national security, public order, or public health. A clear example of an absolute right is the right to...
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Securing PNG’s Maritime Domain: The Case for Satellite Ownership and Strategic Partnership with Israel

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In an era of intensifying geopolitical competition and rising transnational threats, PNG must rethink its national security priorities with greater urgency and innovation. One area that demands immediate attention is maritime security. As an island state with vast and resource-rich maritime zones, PNG cannot afford to remain blind to illicit activities that occur daily across its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). One transformative step forward would be to acquire or gain access to satellite technology that can support persistent surveillance and enhance maritime domain awareness. Screenshot of the article by Marian Faa and Theckla Gunga. PNG currently relies heavily on external partners to monitor its maritime boundaries, particularly in the context of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, human trafficking, and transnational crime. While these partnerships remain important, they are not substitutes for sovereign capacity. Satellite capabilities—particularly those enabling ...
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Invest in Academic Mentorship, Not Foreign Scholarships

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PNG’s higher education sector faces numerous challenges, with one of the most significant being the lack of academic mentorship and research culture within universities. Instead of offering scholarships to Solomon Islands students to study in PNG, the government should focus on building an academic mentorship framework that fosters research excellence and strengthens local expertise. Without proper guidance and mentorship, young academics in PNG struggle to develop their careers, limiting the country's intellectual and research capabilities. When I began teaching international relations in 2012, there was no senior lecturer or professor in the field to guide me in my journey toward becoming an academic or research expert. I had to build myself up through perseverance, self-learning, and dedication to training future graduates. Over the years, I have worked hard to establish myself in the field and have mentored students who have gone on to contribute significantly to the gove...
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PNG’s Higher Education Needs PhD Academics and Research Funding, Not Solomon Islands Scholarships

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PNG’s higher education sector faces significant challenges that require urgent attention. One of the most pressing issues is the lack of PhD-qualified academics across various disciplines, including political science, international relations, education, journalism, anthropology, business management, public health, physiotherapy, education, law, environmental health, rural health, civil engineering, computer science, mathematics, geology, surveying, land administration, mining engineering, architecture, social work, religious studies, nursing, literature, and history. Despite numerous academic audits conducted by the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST), which have highlighted the need for more research and staff development, little has been done to address this crisis. The government must prioritize funding to support academic growth and research output before extending scholarships to foreign students. The recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) b...
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PNG’s 50th Anniversary: A Strategic Opportunity to Showcase the Crown Jewel of Pacific Geopolitics

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As PNG commemorates its 50th anniversary of nationhood, preparations are underway to highlight the country's significant historical journey and its contemporary strategic importance on the global stage. The celebrations, planned for September, will not only honor past achievements but also present PNG as the pivotal nation in Pacific geopolitics, underscoring its crucial role in ongoing global power competitions. Details of the preparations, including a high-profile royal visit, were recently shared by the Foreign Minister on his official Facebook page: Justin Tkatchenko - Moresby South MP . Screenshot of the Minister's Facebook page. This landmark anniversary has attracted international attention, notably with preparations for a high-profile visit by a Member of the British Royal Family. Coordination efforts for this royal visit are being carefully managed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Elias Wohengu, Chief of Protocol Lucas Manduru, and Chief Coordinator of the Royal Visit Jude...
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PNG: The Crown Jewel of Pacific Geopolitics and the Battle for Dominance

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PNG, the largest nation in the Pacific Islands region, has increasingly emerged as the strategic crown jewel in contemporary geopolitical competitions. In the intricate chessboard of Pacific geopolitics, PNG's abundant natural resources, geographical positioning, and political potential make it indispensable. Sir Halford Mackinder's Heartland Theory , which argues that control over pivotal geographic regions can determine global supremacy, provides a lens to understand why PNG has become such a contested space. Mackinder argued that domination of the "Heartland"—central Eurasia—would grant global power. Adapting this logic to the Pacific context, PNG serves as a maritime 'Heartland' whose control significantly influences strategic stability. Located just north of Australia and east of the Indonesian archipelago, PNG sits at a crucial intersection of maritime trade routes linking Asia, Oceania, and North America. Whoever wields influence over PNG gains substant...
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