Professor John Blaxland1
1Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
Biography:
Dr John Blaxland is Director of the ANU North America Liaison Office and Professor of International Security and Intelligence Studies in the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre (SDSC), Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs, College of Asia and the Pacific at the Australian National University (ANU)
He is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a Fellow of the Royal Society of New South Wales and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of International Affairs. He is also the first Australian recipient of a US Department of Defense Minerva Research Initiative grant (2015-18). Prior to academia, John was a military intelligence officer, serving as Chief Intelligence Staff Officer (J2) at HQ Joint Operations Command, and defence attaché to Thailand and Myanmar. He was also the brigade intelligence officer (S2) for the land component of the International Force East Timor (INTERFET). He was posted as an exchange officer at the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency in Washington DC (including for a deployment with 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit on USS Boxer) and was awarded a U.S. Meritorious Service Medal for his contribution. At ANU he has served as Head of SDSC and Director of the ANU Southeast Asia Institute. He has taught "Southeast Asian Security Studies" and “Honeypots and Overcoats: Australian Intelligence in the World” and supervised several PhD students.
Abstract:
Australia has faced criticism for insufficiently respecting Pacific Island environmental and cultural sensibilities, leading to strained relations. While Australia's Judaeo-Christian roots resonate with Pacific religious values, its image as an environmental laggard undermines these connections. Efforts like bilateral outreach and the Pacific Islands Forum have been hampered by competing visions and limited impact.
A proposed solution is a “Grand Compact”, akin to the compacts of association between the U.S. and Pacific nations or New Zealand and Niue/Cook Islands. This would involve partnerships with smaller Pacific nations like Kiribati, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Nauru, granting residency rights or citizenship in exchange for collaboration on managing exclusive economic zones and enhancing sovereignty. For larger nations like Fiji or the Solomon Islands, a more limited approach could involve sea patrol support and employment opportunities.
Tuvalu’s recent climate-security pact, the Falepili Union, offers a precedent, but the Grand Compact would go further, creating a cumulative EEZ of over 5.1 million square kilometres. Critics label such initiatives as neo-colonialist, but when based on mutual respect, dignity, and shared benefits, they can enhance regional security, stability, and economic prospects for all parties.
Success requires Australia to adopt a visionary, inclusive, and respectful approach that prioritizes partnership over paternalism. For Pacific nations, this compact could provide support to combat external exploitation while fostering trust and cooperation with Australia. A substantive, voluntary proposal, rooted in honour, can transform regional relationships for mutual benefit.