Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa's motorcade comes under fire in Ecuador
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Lebanon: Israeli quadcopter drops two shells on cafe in Houla town in South Lebanon
Informed source to Al Mayadeen: SDF Commander-in-Chief Mazloum Abdi demands that al-Sharaa approve the establishment of an autonomous region similar to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
Israeli media: Three drones launched from Yemen toward Eilat in span of 20 minutes.
Qatari Foreign Ministry: "Israel" should have already ceased fire under Trump plan for Gaza
Qatari Foreign Ministry: Release of Israeli captives will mark end of war in Gaza in accordance with Trump plan.
Israeli media: Security incident in Gaza Strip classified as serious results in six wounded soldiers so far, two critically injured.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone strike targets vehicle in Deir Ames, Tyre governorate.
Lebanese Ministry of Health: Final toll from airstrike on car in Zebdine, Nabatieh District: Two martyrs, four injured
Egyptian media: Indirect talks between Hamas and Israelis begin in Sharm el-Sheikh.

Papua New Guinea, US ink security pact amid protests

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 22 May 2023 13:14
3 Min Read

Blinken says each of the two nations would be able to board the other's vessels, share technical expertise, and "better patrol" the seas together.

  • x
  • Papua New Guinea, US ink security pact
    US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Papua New Guinea Defense Minister Win Bakri Daki shake hands after signing a security agreement, on May 22, 2023 (AFP)

Papua New Guinea (PNG) signed a defense pact with the United States on Monday, giving US forces access to its airfields and ports as Washington seeks to increase its influence and expand its footprint in the Pacific region.

Defense Minister Win Bakri Daki inked the deal with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken before the start of a US meeting with the leaders of 14 South Pacific island states in the capital Port Moresby.

"A defence cooperation agreement is done," Prime Minister James Marape said at the signing ceremony, adding that the Pacific island was "elevating" its relationship with the United States.

Blinken said each of the two nations would be able to board the other's vessels, share technical expertise, and "better patrol" the seas together.

"We are working together to shape the future. We are very much looking forward to taking our partnership to the next level," he said.

Intensifying rivalry

In a sign of the intensifying rivalry over the South Pacific, Blinken was not alone in representing major powers.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi flew into town just hours before him on the eve of his own summit, asserting his nation's role as a regional power.

Related News

Trump, Carney discuss Golden Dome and defense cooperation

US spent $33 billion on post-Oct.7 genocide, wars, Brown Uni reports

"We share your belief in multilateralism. We support a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. We respect the sovereignty and integrity of all countries," Modi told Pacific leaders in a separate summit.

By signing the security deal with PNG, Blinken will also expand the US military's capacity to deploy in the region.

The State Department said the pact with PNG would "enhance security cooperation and further strengthen our bilateral relationship, improve the capacity of the PNG Defence Force, and increase stability and security in the region."

Marape last week said the deal would offer Washington movement in the country's waters in return for access to US satellite surveillance to battle "illegal activities on the high sea."

The deal would not prevent him from signing similar agreements with other nations, including China, he said.

China on Friday said it opposes the "introduction of any geopolitical games into the Pacific Island country region," without specifically referring to the deal or Blinken's visit.

Student protests

The agreement has also prompted student protests at several universities, PNG's biggest newspaper the Post Courier reported, over fears it gives US forces too much autonomy at some of the country's key entry points.

Security was high in the capital on Monday, with roads blocked and bomb squad cars stationed around its downtown beach area close to where the leaders were meeting. Officers were also patrolling nearby waters on speedboats and jet skis.

Blinken replaced Joe Biden at the summit after the US president canceled the trip to take part in debt ceiling talks in Washington. 

Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, Admiral John Aquino, also visited a barracks in Oro Province on Monday where he was met by a military parade, the Courier reported.

Read more: China, Papua New Guinea discuss free trade

  • United States
  • US
  • Pacific islands
  • James Marape
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Antony Blinken

Most Read

Tucker Carlson speaks at a memorial for Charlie Kirk, Sunday, September 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (AP)

Tucker Carlson: Israeli officers gave orders on Iran inside Pentagon

  • Politics
  • 2 Oct 2025
A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025 (AP)

Hamas responds to Trump plan, backs Gaza withdrawal, exchange

  • Politics
  • 3 Oct 2025
ap

'Israel' pays influencers $7K per post to whitewash Gaza genocide

  • Politics
  • 1 Oct 2025
Ships that are part of the Global Sumud Flotilla heading to Gaza are anchored off the coast of of Sidi Bou Saïd in Tunis, Tunisia, Tuesday, September 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Anis Mili)

Global Sumud Flotilla accuses Italy of sabotage, vows to sail on

  • Politics
  • 1 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
In this May 20, 20201, photo Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, the head of US Central Command, arrives in Baghdad, Iraq (AP)
Politics

US spent $33 billion on post-Oct.7 genocide, wars, Brown Uni reports

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., holds a news conference to mark the seventh day of the government shutdown, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025. (AP)
Politics

US troops face unpaid wages as government shutdown drags on

Mourners wave Hezbollah and a Palestinian flag during the funeral of Hezbollah former leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and his successor Sayyed Hashem Safieddine in the Sports City Stadium in Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, February 23, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Hezbollah voices support for Gaza, Resistance on October 7 anniversary

Al-Aqsa Flood restored Palestinian cause on the global stage: Hamas
Politics

Al-Aqsa Flood restored Palestinian cause on the global stage: Hamas

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS