The Pacific Islands have been in the spotlight, especially in the aftermath of the newly-signed China-Solomon Islands security agreement that would pave the way for the regime to station its military forces there. The territory sits in the second island chain that contains U.S. Naval Base Guam. Given its strategic position, if the United States…

After the Afghanistan withdrawal and the AUKUS deal leaving France empty-handed, concerns are rising among allies over the credibility of the United States under President Joe Biden. Is this a big problem, and in turn, a hindrance to diplomacy in the future? We aim to explore the positive big ideas—like AUKUS—yet poor execution—like the Afghan…

Mr. Alexander B. Gray is a senior fellow of the Air Force Personnel Center with expertise in the Pacific Islands and the polar regions. He was most recently the chief of staff of the National Security Council at the White House and the deputy assistant to former President Donald Trump. We discuss how the Chinese…