The US will increase its presence in the Pacific by opening an embassy in Solomon Islands

Summary

This article from ABC news makes the following points concerning the Solomon Islands:

• The US will open an embassy, initially with seven staff.
•  Currently, US diplomats from Papua New Guinea are accredited to the Solomon Islands.
•  There was a US embassy in Honiara from 1988-1993.
•  It’s the largest Pacific Island nation without a US Embassy.
•  Builds on links established in WW2.
•  Part of the Indo-Pacific Strategy of the US.
•  The US Peace Corps plans to return.
•  Some US Government Departments will have a Solomon Islands desk
•  China "aggressively seeks to engage" elite politicians and business people in the Solomon Islands.

Worth noting and remembering

•  US Secretary of State Blinken met with Pacific Island leaders to discuss the climate crisis, COVID-19 and disaster   assistance in Fiji.

References

Recent Runway Posts related to this topic:

• As the Solomon Islands heat up, Australia is at the crosshairs of a big global shift with China and the US | The Runway (airforce.gov.au)
• As Australia deploys troops and police, what now for the Solomon Islands? | The Runway (airforce.gov.au)

References from the Web:

• FEB 2022 If Blinken’s visit to Fiji aims to curtail Chinese influence, he has his work cut out for him |The Guardian
• FEB 2022 US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken arrives in Fiji |RNZ
• FEB 2022 Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Acting Fijian Prime Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum At a Joint Press Availability

Source Information ABC Australia

• Article Source:  ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
• Media Check: ABC News Australia - Media Bias/Fact Check (mediabiasfactcheck.com)
• LEARNING OUTCOMES—RUNWAY | The Runway (airforce.gov.au)