Pacific Partners Initiative
The CSIS Pacific Partners Initiative is a hub for United States policy focusing on Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Island Countries
The Pacific Partners Initiative is the first Washington-based policy & think tank forum dedicated to providing a sustained high-level focus on the Pacific Islands community. The Initiative encompasses dedicated programs, research-based studies and publications, and active online outreach.
The Pacific Partners Initiative is led by Dr. Charles Edel, Australia Chair and Senior Adviser, Christopher B. Johnstone, Senior Adviser and Japan Chair, and Gregory Poling, Senior Fellow and Director of the Southeast Asia Program and Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative.
The Pacific Partners Initiative was launched in July 2011 and reflects CSIS’ focus on the strategic importance of the Pacific to the United States. The Initiative is the first Washington-based resource of this nature, and is a valuable tool in both examining and strengthening the growing relationships between the United States and the Pacific Islands community.
Contact Information
- Andreyka Natalegawa
- Associate Fellow, Southeast Asia Program
- 202.775.3269
- ANatalegawa@csis.org
Latest Work

Photo: LEON LORD/AFP/Getty Images
A New Era in Fijian Politics
With the election of Sitiveni Rabuka as prime minister, Fiji is now navigating a new chapter in its complex, and often rancorous, political history.
Commentary by Patricia O’Brien — February 7, 2023

White House Unveils Pacific Islands Strategy at Historic Summit
Critical Questions by Charles Edel , Christopher B. Johnstone , and Gregory B. Poling — September 30, 2022

The ‘Framework Agreement’ with China Transforms the Solomon Islands into a Pacific Flashpoint
Critical Questions by Patricia O’Brien — March 31, 2022

The Deep Roots of the Solomon Islands’ Ongoing Political Crisis
Critical Questions by Patricia O’Brien — December 10, 2021

The Pacific Islands Are a Covid-19 Priority
Commentary by Gregory B. Poling and Andreyka Natalegawa — September 15, 2020
Experts

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A New Era in Fijian Politics
Commentary by Patricia O’Brien — February 7, 2023
White House Unveils Pacific Islands Strategy at Historic Summit
Critical Questions by Charles Edel , Christopher B. Johnstone , and Gregory B. Poling — September 30, 2022
Building a Blue Pacific Agenda for the Twenty-First Century
Event by Charles Edel , Kurt Campbell , Ambassador Satyendra Prasad , Ambassador Fatumanava-o-Upolu III Pa’olelei Luteru , Ambassador Gerald M. Zackios , and Monica P. Medina — June 23, 2022
The ‘Framework Agreement’ with China Transforms the Solomon Islands into a Pacific Flashpoint
Critical Questions by Patricia O’Brien — March 31, 2022
The Deep Roots of the Solomon Islands’ Ongoing Political Crisis
Critical Questions by Patricia O’Brien — December 10, 2021
The Pacific Islands Are a Covid-19 Priority
Commentary by Gregory B. Poling and Andreyka Natalegawa — September 15, 2020
A Discussion on Australia’s May 18 Election Outcome: What's Next for Australia and the U.S.-Australia Alliance?
Event by Jacob Greber , Dr. Zack Cooper , Dr. Alan Tidwell , Patrick Gerard Buchan , Patrick Gerard Buchan , and Amy Searight — May 23, 2019
How Does the ‘Pacific’ Fit into the “Indo-Pacific?”
Event by Michael J. Green , Jonathan Pryke , Ambassador Naivakarurubalavu Solo Mara , Dr. Amy Searight , and Alex Gray — May 15, 2019
Good Message, Wrong Messenger
Commentary by Brian Harding and Amy Searight — December 17, 2018
A Conversation on Chinese Influence in Australia and Beyond
Event by Clive Hamilton , Bonnie S. Glaser , and Amy Searight — October 18, 2018