On October 21, Imran Bayoumi, associate director of the GeoStrategy Initiative, published an article for the Irregular Warfare Initiative titled “Policing the Pacific: How China Expands Influence Where the US Looks for Allies.” In the article, Bayoumi examines China’s use of police partnerships in the Pacific Islands and how Washington can adapt this strategy to counter Beijing’s influence.
Ultimately, the contest for influence in the Pacific will not be won alone through military might but through trust, responsiveness, and respect for local priorities… By investing in regional policing initiatives and supporting locally driven messaging campaigns, Washington can both counter Beijing’s reach and strengthen the sovereignty and resilience of Pacific Island nations.
