In this week’s episode, ASPI’s Bec Shrimpton speaks to Joanne Wallis and Anna Powles, authors of Smooth sailing? Australia, New Zealand and the United States partnering in—and with—the Pacific islands ^[1], released by ASPI in May. They discuss the key recommendations from the report, including setting up an ASEAN-style forum for Pacific island nations, as well as the need for the actions that partners undertake in the region to be directed by Pacific priorities. They also discuss how Australia, New Zealand and the United States have engaged with the Pacific in the past and explore opportunities to strengthen cooperation.

The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace recently released the Indian Ocean strategic map ^[2], which provides a coherent, data-driven understanding of the players, security challenges and other factors that shape the region. ASPI’s Baani Grewal speaks to Darshana M. Baruah, a fellow with the South Asia program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. They discuss the key takeaways from the project, the importance of viewing the region as one continuous theatre, and the emergence of China, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Russia as players in the region.