The Yegiora Files

Seminar 6, held on April 3, 2025, turned attention to one of the most pressing and under-researched security challenges in PNG and the wider Pacific region—cyber security. As part of the PG420 unit on international and regional security, the seminar also addressed broader capacity constraints in Pacific security systems, the role of international partners, and the growing threat posed by transnational crime. The session laid the groundwork for understanding how digital and physical security threats intersect in complex ways across the region. The full recording is now available on my YouTube channel . Screenshot of the video The seminar opened with a review of recent developments in regional security frameworks and the importance of donor support in helping Pacific Island countries meet growing security challenges. Participants discussed how digital changes, urbanization, and limited infrastructure are reshaping the security environment in PNG. A recurring theme was the urgent need for...

The story of PNG China Press , as told in GDToday’s recent feature , is more than just the tale of a newspaper—it’s a powerful narrative about cultural diplomacy, grassroots bridge-building, and the role of diasporic communities in strengthening international relationships. At its core is Li Huadong, a Hakka from Guangdong, who launched the paper not to turn a profit, but to foster understanding between China and PNG. In a world often divided by headlines, his initiative stands as a reminder that not all media ventures are born from commercial ambition—some are driven by mission. Screenshot of the article Operating in both Chinese and English, PNG China Press fills a unique space in the PNG media landscape. Where other outlets like the Post-Courier and The National reflect Australian and Malaysian Chinese influence respectively, Li’s publication offers a direct Chinese perspective, curated by and for the Chinese community in PNG. Yet it does more than that. By covering news from bot...

When preparing for our recent PG420 seminar series on cybersecurity and digital shifts in PNG, one of the most immediate challenges we encountered was the limited scholarly literature on this subject within the PNG context. While the global discourse on cybersecurity is rapidly expanding, academic work specifically focused on PNG remains scarce. As a result, we had to draw on international sources to ground our discussion and stimulate analytical thinking among our students. To initiate the conversation, Seminar 5 focused on China’s evolving cyber capabilities and how these influence broader international security dynamics. Using the edited volume China and Cybersecurity: Espionage, Strategy, and Politics in the Digital Domain by Lindsay, Cheung, and Reveron, students explored critical questions about cyber espionage, innovation, and global governance. One of the central questions, drawn from Nigel Inkster’s chapter, asked: How does the evolution of Chinese intelligence tradecraft in...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...