The Unwisdom of the Solomon Islands

Beijing is getting its money’s worth with the “security pact” it signed with a tiny Pacific nation this spring. See how the Solomon Islands have begun refusing port visits from US and Allied ships in recent days.

The island chain’s government refused approval for a US Coast Guard cutter last week Oliver Henryto make a routine port call. This followed a rejection for the British HMS Spey. prime minister Manasseh Sogavare says the denials were the result of paperwork, but the US embassy in Australia said Tuesday the island nation has imposed a moratorium on naval visits until new procedures are developed.