Australia-PNG Defense Treaty Signals Strategic Shift Amid Rising China Threat

In a decisive move that underscores the shifting balance of power in the Pacific, Australia and Papua New Guinea (PNG) have signed a landmark bilateral defense treaty. This pact, the first of its kind for PNG and only the second such alliance for Australia since the ANZUS Treaty, is more than diplomatic pageantry—it is a clear message to Beijing that attempts to dominate the region will face united resistance. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and PNG's James Marape declared this treaty as establishing a mutual defense obligation akin to Australia’s commitments under ANZUS. Under this agreement, an armed attack on...