Tess Newton Cain
@tncpacific.bsky.social
Principal Consultant at Sustineo P/L leading on governance and security work | Commentator on Pacific politics, diplomacy & development | International Woman of Mystery | she/her
Latest from me for the Griffith Asia Institute's 2026 Strategic Outlook - what does increasing gepolitical competition and declining commitment to multilateralism mean for the #Pacific islands region in 2026 and beyond? blogs.griffith.edu.au/asiainsights... #PacificThinking #Geopolitics
On being the grass … strategic outlook for the Pacific islands region | Griffith Asia Insights
TESS NEWTON CAIN | When elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers Swahili proverb Download PDF Introduction This proverb can be Tess Newton Cain challenges narratives of Pacific vulnerability, h...
blogs.griffith.edu.au
February 3, 2026 at 4:44 AM
Latest from me for the Griffith Asia Institute's 2026 Strategic Outlook - what does increasing gepolitical competition and declining commitment to multilateralism mean for the #Pacific islands region in 2026 and beyond? blogs.griffith.edu.au/asiainsights... #PacificThinking #Geopolitics
I caught up with @williamterite.bsky.social to discuss how various aspects of US policy affect the #Pacific www.facebook.com/reel/1582432...
The United States has moved fast to tighten its borders, and Pacific nations are feeling the impact. From heavy visa bonds to suspended applications and outright bans, the changes are sweeping. Fiji i...
The United States has moved fast to tighten its borders, and Pacific nations are feeling the impact. From heavy visa bonds to suspended applications and outright bans, the changes are sweeping. Fiji.....
www.facebook.com
January 19, 2026 at 11:55 PM
I caught up with @williamterite.bsky.social to discuss how various aspects of US policy affect the #Pacific www.facebook.com/reel/1582432...
Reposted by Tess Newton Cain
I am really pleased to join the editorial team at #AsianSecurity, joining Amy Freedman, Andrew Oros, Chin-Hao Huang, and Lionel Fatton. The journal aims to be "the foremost journal on all aspects of national and international security in Asia". www.tandfonline.com/journals/fas...
www.tandfonline.com
January 19, 2026 at 10:28 PM
I am really pleased to join the editorial team at #AsianSecurity, joining Amy Freedman, Andrew Oros, Chin-Hao Huang, and Lionel Fatton. The journal aims to be "the foremost journal on all aspects of national and international security in Asia". www.tandfonline.com/journals/fas...
Catch up on #Pacific happenings over the last couple of weeks with me: sustineo.com.au/blog/pacific...
Pacific happenings
Join us as we look back over what has been making news in the Pacific islands region in the last couple of weeks...
sustineo.com.au
January 19, 2026 at 5:35 AM
Catch up on #Pacific happenings over the last couple of weeks with me: sustineo.com.au/blog/pacific...
Some thoughts from me about what 2026 holds for the #Pacific islands region: sustineo.com.au/blog/pacific...
Pacific happenings … a look ahead to 2026
As we enter the New Year, welcome to the first of our fortnightly extended reviews of what is happening in the Pacific island region, including some thoughts about what 2026 holds for this part of the...
sustineo.com.au
January 12, 2026 at 12:55 AM
Some thoughts from me about what 2026 holds for the #Pacific islands region: sustineo.com.au/blog/pacific...
Reposted by Tess Newton Cain
Summer flowers, oil on board, cone flowers, poppies, nasturtiums and other flowers in two glass containers (sold)
#art #botanical #oilpainting
#art #botanical #oilpainting
January 9, 2026 at 6:40 AM
Summer flowers, oil on board, cone flowers, poppies, nasturtiums and other flowers in two glass containers (sold)
#art #botanical #oilpainting
#art #botanical #oilpainting
Beware dodgy "analysis" of the strategic environment of the #Pacific islands region - particularly from those who got as far as #Australia but no further: www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
China Isn’t Just After Taiwan — But the South Pacific, Too
Last year was a coming-out party for Chinese military power, from the lethal performance of Chinese-made weapons during the India-Pakistan clash in May, to the high-profile rollout of new nuclear and ...
www.bloomberg.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:11 PM
Beware dodgy "analysis" of the strategic environment of the #Pacific islands region - particularly from those who got as far as #Australia but no further: www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
Reposted by Tess Newton Cain
Australians: we don't like guns. This is excellent.
December 22, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Australians: we don't like guns. This is excellent.
Reposted by Tess Newton Cain
I took some time this morning with @abcnews Pacific Beat to reflect on the anniversary of Port Vila's massive earthquake. A year on, this town looks like a fighter with some teeth knocked out. We may be down, but we're not out.
www.abc.net.au/pacific/prog...
www.abc.net.au/pacific/prog...
Vanuatu commemorates one year anniversary of earthquake - ABC Pacific
It was on this day, one year ago, that Vanuatu's capital Port Vila was rocked by a massive 7.3 magnitude earthquake.
www.abc.net.au
December 17, 2025 at 4:50 AM
I took some time this morning with @abcnews Pacific Beat to reflect on the anniversary of Port Vila's massive earthquake. A year on, this town looks like a fighter with some teeth knocked out. We may be down, but we're not out.
www.abc.net.au/pacific/prog...
www.abc.net.au/pacific/prog...
Reposted by Tess Newton Cain
Anyone who suggests that globalisation is over needs to look at the data again. Maybe this is an unoriginal point, but two major crises do not signal the end of the international economy.
Services trade is booming. Trade is more and more about tourism, business travel, and digital services.
Services trade is booming. Trade is more and more about tourism, business travel, and digital services.
December 15, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Anyone who suggests that globalisation is over needs to look at the data again. Maybe this is an unoriginal point, but two major crises do not signal the end of the international economy.
Services trade is booming. Trade is more and more about tourism, business travel, and digital services.
Services trade is booming. Trade is more and more about tourism, business travel, and digital services.
Very concerning to see this - militarisation of police is not what is needed for community security
#FrenchPacificAcademy Two Vanuatu police officers joined their Australian and Fijian colleagues for a week of training with the French police in New Caledonia on managing urban violence. This cooperation strengthens regional security.
December 4, 2025 at 8:57 AM
Very concerning to see this - militarisation of police is not what is needed for community security
Good to be back in Suva for a couple of days and looking forward to some stimulating conversations #PacificWork
November 30, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Good to be back in Suva for a couple of days and looking forward to some stimulating conversations #PacificWork
Taiwanese ambassador to Finland performs with his metal band at Taiwan-Finland cultural event! 🤘✊️
That's what I call great ambassador
That's what I call great ambassador
November 30, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Reposted by Tess Newton Cain
"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little."
-FDR, 1937
-FDR, 1937
May 29, 2025 at 5:01 PM
"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little."
-FDR, 1937
-FDR, 1937
Reposted by Tess Newton Cain
Australians recoil at the idea that we are in anyway like the USA, especially given the current regime. However security/police tackling a man for stealing food and suffocating him to death (Alice Springs/Mparntwe yesterday) is a George Floyd moment. It's not an isolated incident.
May 28, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Australians recoil at the idea that we are in anyway like the USA, especially given the current regime. However security/police tackling a man for stealing food and suffocating him to death (Alice Springs/Mparntwe yesterday) is a George Floyd moment. It's not an isolated incident.
ICYMI: here I am on #Pacific Beat to discuss @senatorwong.bsky.social’s recent visit to #Fiji, #Tonga & #Vanuatu www.abc.net.au/pacific/prog...
Australia's Foreign Minister wraps up Pacific tour - ABC Pacific
Over the past week, Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong has visited Fiji, Tonga, and Vanuatu, re-emphasising commitment to climate action, funding health reforms, and reviving a bilateral partners...
www.abc.net.au
May 23, 2025 at 6:56 AM
ICYMI: here I am on #Pacific Beat to discuss @senatorwong.bsky.social’s recent visit to #Fiji, #Tonga & #Vanuatu www.abc.net.au/pacific/prog...
When it comes to Australia's relationships in the #Pacific, what comes after 'listening'? More listening, better listening, listening to hear & listening to those who say things that may not be what you want to hear: www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre... Listening is a process not a product
After listening, what’s Australia’s next move in the Pacific?
Pacific governments will ultimately judge Australia on concrete actions rather than friendly gestures.
www.lowyinstitute.org
May 19, 2025 at 6:18 AM
When it comes to Australia's relationships in the #Pacific, what comes after 'listening'? More listening, better listening, listening to hear & listening to those who say things that may not be what you want to hear: www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre... Listening is a process not a product
Reposted by Tess Newton Cain
Reposted by Tess Newton Cain
The temporary trade deal with China means that unless anything changes, tariffs on China will be lower than on at least 10 of the world's poorest countries.
My latest Substack 👇
My latest Substack 👇
The US is prioritising China over the world's poorest countries
open.substack.com/pub/dangay/p...
open.substack.com/pub/dangay/p...
The US is prioritising China over the world's poorest countries
Washington is fuelling China's rise.
open.substack.com
May 14, 2025 at 2:01 PM
The temporary trade deal with China means that unless anything changes, tariffs on China will be lower than on at least 10 of the world's poorest countries.
My latest Substack 👇
My latest Substack 👇
Reposted by Tess Newton Cain
Beyond excited to share that @cooperwilliams.bsky.social & I have published our 2nd story as part of the Walkley's Sean Dorney Grant for Pacific Journalism.
📽 by Nicolas Job & Cooper
Give it a watch here: youtu.be/61poVYSrxiw?...
#pacific #newcaledonia #kanaky #geckos
📽 by Nicolas Job & Cooper
Give it a watch here: youtu.be/61poVYSrxiw?...
#pacific #newcaledonia #kanaky #geckos
The online gecko craze turning into a conservation nightmare | The Pacific
YouTube video by ABC News In-depth
youtu.be
May 10, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Beyond excited to share that @cooperwilliams.bsky.social & I have published our 2nd story as part of the Walkley's Sean Dorney Grant for Pacific Journalism.
📽 by Nicolas Job & Cooper
Give it a watch here: youtu.be/61poVYSrxiw?...
#pacific #newcaledonia #kanaky #geckos
📽 by Nicolas Job & Cooper
Give it a watch here: youtu.be/61poVYSrxiw?...
#pacific #newcaledonia #kanaky #geckos
Reposted by Tess Newton Cain
If the photo I was just shown of the coalition of MPs to topple him is real. Manele's toast.
Or, at least, he is at present. 24 minutes is a long time in Solomons politics.
Or, at least, he is at present. 24 minutes is a long time in Solomons politics.
Gordon Darcy Lilo having another crack at toppling PM Manele in Solomon Islands. Many MPs including Tovosia & Sogavare have resigned from government, meaning Manele's in trouble. But it ain't over til it's over. Manele could survive via wheeling & dealing: www.solomonstarnews.com/gnut-faces-l...
GNUT faces leadership challenge
www.solomonstarnews.com
April 28, 2025 at 11:33 PM
If the photo I was just shown of the coalition of MPs to topple him is real. Manele's toast.
Or, at least, he is at present. 24 minutes is a long time in Solomons politics.
Or, at least, he is at present. 24 minutes is a long time in Solomons politics.
Reposted by Tess Newton Cain
April 17, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Reposted by Tess Newton Cain
Thank-you @wakeinfright.bsky.social for your acknowledgement of BenarNews Pacific's important role in the region and the vacuum its absence leaves.
Very much appreciated this as the legal case and political lobbying continues to restore US Congress grant funding cut by a Trump executive order.
Very much appreciated this as the legal case and political lobbying continues to restore US Congress grant funding cut by a Trump executive order.
In Donald Trump’s America, public broadcasters have felt the full force of his swingeing cuts – it would be disastrous if the same happened in Australia.
What would – and should – happen to the ABC under the next federal government?
theconversation.com
April 10, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Thank-you @wakeinfright.bsky.social for your acknowledgement of BenarNews Pacific's important role in the region and the vacuum its absence leaves.
Very much appreciated this as the legal case and political lobbying continues to restore US Congress grant funding cut by a Trump executive order.
Very much appreciated this as the legal case and political lobbying continues to restore US Congress grant funding cut by a Trump executive order.
Reposted by Tess Newton Cain
This week, #WIISA is pleased to introduce our Deputy President, Dr Shannon Zimmerman 🎉
@zimmzone.bsky.social is a Lecturer of Strategic Studies in Deakin University’s Centre of Future Defence and National Security.
@zimmzone.bsky.social is a Lecturer of Strategic Studies in Deakin University’s Centre of Future Defence and National Security.
April 11, 2025 at 12:00 AM
This week, #WIISA is pleased to introduce our Deputy President, Dr Shannon Zimmerman 🎉
@zimmzone.bsky.social is a Lecturer of Strategic Studies in Deakin University’s Centre of Future Defence and National Security.
@zimmzone.bsky.social is a Lecturer of Strategic Studies in Deakin University’s Centre of Future Defence and National Security.
Reposted by Tess Newton Cain
Thanks very much MEAA for your support and for your members at BenarNews in Australia. Appreciate it very much.
#MEAAmedia stands in solidarity with the journalists and staff impacted by the suspension of BenarNews, particularly those in its Brisbane-based Pacific Bureau. www.meaa.org/mediaroom/cl...
Closure of BenarNews Pacific Bureau
MEAA stands in solidarity with the journalists and staff impacted by the suspension of BenarNews.
www.meaa.org
April 7, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Thanks very much MEAA for your support and for your members at BenarNews in Australia. Appreciate it very much.