Oceania

Oceania's politics revolve around Australia and New Zealand and around small Pacific island states whose fragile economies depend on aid, remittances and tourism. Outside powers compete for influence across the region's vast waters, and Australia sits at the centre of that contest as a middle power whose security rests on the United States and Britain while its largest trading partner is China. Rising seas threaten low-lying atolls. This page covers Oceania's countries and island groups, including Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia: politics, conflicts and news, month by month.

Geopolitical tensions and standing conflicts: Oceania

The disputes that keep coming back, from armed confrontation to economic and diplomatic rivalry, in which countries of this region take part or have a stake.

Australia as a contested middle power

Australia's place in the Pacific is disputed. Its security depends on the United States and Britain, while its largest trading partner is China. Pacific island states face competing offers of alignment, and Australia's submarine deal with the United States and Britain has raised questions at home about the reliability of its allies.

Oceania in the media

Who covers Oceania most

Outlets by number of headlines in September 2026.

Sources from Oceania

3 outlets from 1 countries; each opens the country's media section.

Australia3

Countries and sub-regions of Oceania

Each opens the country page: politics, economy, security and society, month by month.